Living Near Nuke Plant Bad For Kids & Expectant Moms: Greenpeace

It’s called radioactive tritium and it’s the one thing you never see or hear about near Mr. Burns’ plant on the Simpsons. But it’s no laughing matter in real life – and according to a new report there’s cause for concern about the substance emanating from Canadian nuclear plants. According to a controversial new report from Greenpeace, the levels of tritium around the facilities are so high, children under four and pregnant women shouldn’t live within 10 kilometres of one of them. And anything grown within five kilometres of a nuclear generating station shouldn’t be eaten.

The environmental group claims its study reveals three disturbing facts. “Radioactive tritium emissions are being released in Ontario into the environment at the highest rates in the world by our reactors,” lists Shawn-Patrick Stencil. “Second, Canada has the most lax standard for tritium in the world. And finally science is showing that tritium is more dangerous than previously thought.” 

“There’s a serious problem with tritium, and the evidence is incontrovertible about that.,” suggests study author Ian Fairlie. “We need to review tritium’s hazardous nature.” 

He’s especially worried about the Pickering Nuclear Plant, because it’s one of the few that’s not in a remote area. That scares Catherine Xerry, a mother of three with another on the way. She lives not far from the facility and is now looking at it from a different viewpoint. “Now I’m worried,” she admits. Experts believe high levels of tritium can cause cancer. She also wonders if that’s what’s led to autism in her two sons. “There’s quite a few children in the neighbourhood that have autism and developmental delays,” she notes.

But Ontario Power Generation insists that tritium levels around their plants are well below Canadian guidelines. “I would say that our plant would not operate if we believed there was any safety threat,” responds spokesman John Earl.

Last September, the Toronto Board of Health said it considered Health Canada’s drinking water standard to be out-of-date, urging the federal government to lower the amount of tritium allowed in our H20. Greenpeace maintains Health Canada’s standard for tritium is ten times higher than U.S. standards –  and one hundred times higher than the amount allowed in Europe.

Tritium primer

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