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Decrease in Infant Death Rates After Reactor Closings
Downwind Counties < 40 MILES
Joseph J. Mangano, Radiation and Public Health Project, 12/10/03

Infant Deaths (< 1 Yr)

Reactor
Year Closed
Percent Change
 

Permanently Closed

    
LaCrosse, WI
1987
-15.4
Rancho Seco, CA
1989
-16.0
Fort St. Vrain, CO
1989
-15.4
Trojan, OR
1992
-17.9
Big Rock Point, MI
1997
-42.4
Maine Yankee, ME
1997
- 9.3
Zion, IL
1998
-17.0
 

Temporarily Closed

    
Pilgrim, MA
1986
-24.3
Millstone, CT
1995
-17.4
 

Total for Nine Areas

  
-17.3
US Average Change
1986-2000
- 5.6

Notes:
1. "Before" period = year before and year of closing; "after" period = two years after closing.
2. Only includes areas with nearest operating reactor at least 70 miles away.
3. Sources: National Center for Health Statistics, www.cdc.gov
4. Actual rates for nine areas are 8.02 deaths under one year per 1,000 live births before shutdown (1285 deaths/160,150 births), and 6.63 after shutdown (1094/164,904).

 

Decrease In Childhood Cancer Incidence After Reactor Closings
Downwind Counties < 40 Miles
Joseph J. Mangano, Radiation and Public Health Project, 12/10/03

Childhood Cancer Incidence Rate (< 5 Yrs.)
Reactor
Year Closed
Percent Change
 

Permanently Closed

    
LaCrosse, WI
1987
-38.6
Rancho Seco, CA
1989
-25.4
Fort St. Vrain, CO
1989
-12.0
Big Rock Point, MI
1997
-53.3
Maine Yankee, ME
1997
-29.9
Zion, IL
1998
- 7.6

 

Total for Six Areas

  
-23.9
US Average Change
1986-1998
+ 0.3
 
Change in Connecticut After
Partial Test Ban Tresty
Went Into Effect
1963-64 vs.
1965-71
-25.5


Notes:
1. "Before" period = year before and year of closing; "after" period = seven years after closing
2. "After" periods are under seven years for Big Rock Point (1998-00), Maine Yankee (1998-01), and Zion (1999-2000).
3. Only includes areas with nearest operating reactor at least 70 miles away.
4. Sources: State cancer registries.
5. Actual rates for five areas are 26.32 cancer cases per 100,000 children under age five before shutdown (82 cases/311,519 children) and 18.64 after shutdown (216/1,158,906).

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