☢️ A link established between cancer and nuclear power plants

A concerning relationship has just emerged from U.S. statistics: counties located near operational nuclear power plants record higher-than-normal cancer mortality rates. This finding comes from a recent nationwide review.

This analysis was conducted by researchers from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. It constitutes the first 21st-century study to cover all U.S. counties and every nuclear power plant. Their work does not demonstrate a direct cause-and-effect link, but it opens important avenues for thought.


Their investigation focused on the period from 2000 to 2018. To assess the cumulative influence of nearby nuclear facilities, the scientists used a "continuous proximity" method. They also integrated several factors into their model, such as education level, average income, environmental conditions, and health habits.

After these adjustments, the results continue to show a clear association. Areas closest to the power plants display higher cancer death rates. Over the entire period examined, nearly 115,000 deaths could be associated with this proximity, with a more pronounced effect among the elderly.

Petros Koutrakis, lead author of the study, indicates that the apparent risk decreases with distance. He emphasizes the usefulness of additional work, particularly at a time when nuclear energy is being considered among the solutions to combat climate change.

This work has certain limitations, such as the absence of direct radiation measurements. Consequently, it cannot claim that the power plants are the cause, but it exposes a correlation that deserves to be explored further.