Volume 7, Number 3
September 14, 2007
Published by RPHP
PO Box 60 Unionville, NY 10988
Editor: Joseph Mangano
http://www.radiation.org

A note from the Editor: The following covers the activities of RPHP from May through August, 2007.

REPORT ON NJ REACTOR RELEASED
On June 12, at a press conference in the state capitol in Trenton, New Jersey, RPHP released a report on health risks of keeping the Oyster Creek nuclear reactor running. The report kicked off a campaign coordinated by RPHP to educate leaders and the general public about radioactive emissions from Oyster Creek and high rates of cancer near the reactor.

RPHPs Joseph Mangano was joined at the event by Donald Louria MD of the New Jersey Medical School and Rosalie Bertell PhD of the International Institute of Concern for Public Health. The campaign is supported by the following New Jersey citizen organizations:

RPHP SPREADS MESSAGE ON NJ REACTOR
Following the announcement of the June 12 report on Oyster Creek, RPHP embarked on its educational campaign on the health risks of keeping the reactor in operation. Oyster Creek, located just south of Toms River NJ, began operating in 1969, and is the oldest of the 104 U.S. reactors. Its license expires in April 2009, and the AmerGen company has requested that federal regulators extend the license for an additional 20 years.

Thus far, RPHP has published three editorials in New Jersey newspapers, given testimony to three government panels, accepted an invitation to join a future public debate sponsored by the League of Women Voters, and is preparing for a show on public access cable TV.

EDUCATIONAL CAMPAIGN ON NY REACTOR TO BE LAUNCHED
On April 30, Entergy Nuclear submitted an application to the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, asking for a 20-year license extension for the two reactors at the Indian Point nuclear plant just north of New York City. Because of this action, RPHP has decided to begin its second educational campaign on hazards of continued reactor operations, directed at Indian Point.

For over a decade, RPHP research has focused on documenting high emission levels from Indian Point, high levels of Strontium-90 in baby teeth, and high local rates of cancer. RPHP has been supported by the Westchester County (NY) legislature and by NY State Assemblyman Richard Brodsky, along with a number of citizen organizations. A press conference announcing the campaign will be held in the fall.

MORE NEWSPAPER EDITORIALS RAISE AWARENESS OF NEW NUKE RISK
During the period May through August 2007, RPHP published four more newspaper editorials on potential hazards posed by new nuclear reactors. These op-eds appeared in areas where new reactors have been proposed, namely Palm Beach FL, Tuscaloosa AL, Hunstville AL, and Salt Lake City UT. Three additional editorials, in Asbury Park, Newark, and Trenton NJ, discussed risks of keeping the Oyster Creek reactor operating. The editorials bring the RPHP total to 21 in 2006-2007, meaning they have reached over 2 million subscribers.

RADIO DISCUSSION OF NUCLEAR RISKS
On August 28, RPHPs Joseph Mangano and Ernest Sternglass appeared on a show hosted by May Dooley of WBAI-FM radio in New York City. Mangano and Sternglass spent the hour tracing the history of nuclear reactors in the U.S., in particular the research that has documented health risks to Americans.

To contact RPHP please email Joseph Mangano at odiejoe@aol.com.