Health Effects of Nuclear Power Plants

The presence of nuclear power plants may affect public health in many ways. Primarily, the release of radiation by nuclear power plants into the surrounding areas is known to have hazardous effects on public health. Nuclear power plants can also affect the health of the local environment and natural wildlife. Additionally, nuclear plants are considered prime targets for terrorist attacks, a threat that could potentially affect the personal safety of citizen communities around the planet.

Radiation Exposure

• Cancer from exposure to radiation is a commonly discussed health effect of nuclear power plants. Exposure to radiation may occur with employees of the plant or within the communities around the location of the plant. According to the Brazilian Professor Anselmo Salles Paschoa, nuclear plants have been known to release radioactive elements through their piping systems, seals, steam valves, or pressurizers. Plants that release radioactive substances, like radioactive iodine, into the water or air are suspected to be the cause of health hazards such as cancers. Scientists have concluded that excessive exposure to radiation can likely cause cancers in some individuals, but the risk of cancer varies, depending upon the age, sex, occupation, or amount and intensity of radiation exposure of the individual. One of the great threats to public health are accidents at a power plant, which affect the nuclear reactor itself, like the Chernobyl accident of 1986, which can leak dangerous amounts of radiation into the atmosphere.

Environmental Impact

• Nuclear power plants can in many ways affect the health of their surrounding environments and communities. Initially, the construction of nuclear power plants results in the disruption of ecological systems; plant life is removed, and many animal species are forced to abandon their habitats. Also, once complete and functioning, the release of unused heat by nuclear power plants, known as thermal discharge, can cause reproductive and growth problems within organisms, such as fish or plankton, living around the area. Although the discharge of contaminants may remain near the point of release, radioactive substances can move throughout the surrounding environment, depending upon the point, rate, and chemical form of the released contaminants and the natural structure of the area around the point of release. Also, the vast amount of transmission lines and cables needed to generate and distribute the power can affect the appearance and aesthetics of the surrounding area.

Personal Security

• As the world witnessed on September 11, 2001, terrorists are willing, and at times, capable of committing acts of great devastation. Many security officials have concluded that nuclear power plants are prime targets for such a terrorist attack, especially an airborne attack by a hijacked commercial airliner as used by Al-Qaeda on 9/11. A report by the Union of Concerned Scientists has stated that an attack on a nuclear power plant that causes a significant release of radioactive substances and other contaminants has "the potential to affect areas considerably beyond the attack site. An attack of this magnitude could result in a great number of casualties as well as economic and environmental impacts." Also, as stated in this report by the Union of Concerned Scientists, difficulties remain among local, state, and federal authorities in terms of organizing and implementing protection of our nuclear infrastructure, a fact that adds to the vulnerability of nuclear power plants and increases the magnitude of potential effects plants may have on the personal security of citizens living in vicinity.