A new nationwide study suggests a potential link between living in close proximity to operating nuclear power plants (NPPs) and increased cancer death rates. Researchers at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health found that U.S. Counties closer to these facilities experienced higher cancer mortality compared to those farther away, even after accounting for a range of socioeconomic, environmental and healthcare factors.
Published in Nature Communications on , this research marks the first comprehensive analysis of its kind in the 21st century, examining the relationship between proximity to all U.S. Nuclear power plants and cancer mortality rates across all U.S. Counties. While the study does not establish a causal relationship, the findings highlight the need for further investigation, particularly as nuclear energy is increasingly discussed as a potential solution to climate change.
Previous research exploring potential links between nuclear power plants and cancer has yielded inconsistent results. Many earlier studies focused on single facilities and their immediate surroundings, limiting the ability to draw broader conclusions. This new study addresses that limitation by employing a “continuous proximity” method. This approach assesses how close each county is to multiple nuclear plants, accounting for the combined influence of facilities in the region, rather than focusing on individual plants in isolation.
The research team utilized national data spanning from to . Data sources included the U.S. Energy Information Administration for information on plant locations and operating history, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for county-level cancer mortality data. Crucially, the researchers adjusted for a wide array of variables known to influence cancer rates, including educational attainment, median household income, racial composition, average temperature and humidity, smoking prevalence, body mass index (BMI), and access to healthcare – specifically, distance to the nearest hospital.
The analysis revealed a concerning trend: even after controlling for these potentially confounding factors, counties closer to nuclear power plants consistently exhibited higher cancer mortality rates. Over the 19-year study period, researchers estimate approximately 115,000 cancer deaths nationwide – roughly 6,400 per year – were associated with proximity to NPPs. The association appeared strongest among older adults.
“Our study suggests that living near a NPP may carry a measurable cancer risk — one that lessens with distance,” explained Petros Koutrakis, Akira Yamaguchi Professor of Environmental Health and Human Habitation, and senior author of the study. “We recommend that more studies be done that address the issue of NPPs and health impacts, particularly at a time when nuclear power is being promoted as a clean solution to climate change.”
These findings echo those of a previous study conducted by the same research team in Massachusetts, which also observed higher cancer incidence rates among individuals living closer to nuclear facilities. This consistency across geographically distinct studies strengthens the signal, though it does not confirm causation.
The researchers acknowledge several limitations to their analysis. Notably, the study did not include direct radiation measurements. Instead, it operated under the assumption that all nuclear power plants have a similar potential impact. So the study identifies a significant association, but cannot definitively determine whether nuclear plants directly caused the observed increase in cancer deaths. Further research is needed to investigate potential exposure pathways and latency effects – the time between exposure and the development of cancer – and to assess cancer-specific risks.
It’s important to understand that correlation does not equal causation. The study demonstrates an association, but other factors, not fully accounted for, could contribute to the observed pattern. For example, historical land use patterns or other industrial activities in the vicinity of nuclear plants could play a role. The researchers emphasize the need for more detailed investigations to disentangle these complex relationships.
The findings come at a time of renewed interest in nuclear energy as a low-carbon power source. As the world seeks to mitigate climate change, nuclear power is often presented as a viable alternative to fossil fuels. However, this study serves as a crucial reminder that any energy source must be carefully evaluated not only for its environmental benefits but also for its potential public health impacts.
Key Takeaways:
- U.S. Counties located closer to operating nuclear power plants exhibit higher cancer death rates, even after adjusting for factors like income, education, environmental conditions, smoking, obesity, and access to healthcare.
- This is the first nationwide study of the 21st century to examine the relationship between proximity to every U.S. Nuclear power plant and cancer mortality across all U.S. Counties.
- The study does not prove that nuclear power plants cause cancer, but it raises important questions and underscores the need for further research, especially given the increasing discussion of nuclear energy as a climate change solution.
