Petros Koutrakis, professor of environmental sciences at Harvard, is piloting two new studies of incidences of cancer and levels of radioactivity exposure around nuclear reactors in New England. In his first study, Koutrakis hopes to produce data illustrating the public health impacts of three nuclear power facilities: Pilgrim in Massachusetts, Seabrook in New Hampshire, and Yankee in Vermont. Pilgrim and Yankee are currently shut down. Seabrook is still operating. His second study will examine blood samples from people within 31 miles of Pilgrim, to look for biological indications, such as DNA damage, to illustrate the effects of wastewater evaporation at Pilgrim. Koutrakis will seek to better understand the public health risks of exposure to radionuclides, such as tritium, cesium-137, lead-210, and iodine-131, released into the air and water as a result of this evaporation.
Wastewater evaporation at Pilgrim began last February, so while the cancer data can show effects over a longer period, the blood samples hope to shed light on more immediate health effects. The first study will analyze cancer rates in Massachusetts from 2008 to 2017, and is awaiting more current data. The study hopes to have results compiled by Spring 2025.
Koutrakis emphasized that the public must demand policymakers require other disposal methods, such as storage or shipment of waste, though those still present health threats due to leaks, transportation accidents, and environmental justice issues, Koutrakis said. “But the thing I can tell you with certainty,” he added, “is that they should not evaporate or dump in the bay. So that should stop right now.”
⸺ Harvard HSPH News, Jan. 29; Vermont Public Radio, Jan. 25; Plymouth Independent, Feb. 16, 2024
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