nuclear power versus job? Is it worth it?

[mumstheword33]

Hi my husband has been offered a great job in west of country. Have been there before on hols and know we get alot more for our money. Bearing all this in mind have read up about the nuclear power plant being built and v worried and not sure after i read about terrible after effects and health issues (leukaemias, cancers) after other disasters. We have a young family and is it worth it ? Are we better to hopefully stay a safe distance. Not sure if im being paranoid but it seems pretty scary

[lucydogz]

I think you're being paranoid (mind you, my DH has just retired after working for decades in the industry). Safety standards are very high in the industry in the UK.

[mumstheword33]

Thanks for your reply Lucy and your reassurance but i was looking at a website still dealing with increased numbers of leukaemia and cancer victims, children from Chernobyl 31 year later. That is worrying. Also i found a link to report by an Ian Fairlie saying about debunking Kinlen theory saying that government isnt always impartial as cancer rates are actually higher near nuclear plants here. Alot to mull over as it seems the government determined to go ahead whatever but weighing it up as still not sure. Thanks again

[Trills]

Chernobyl is not exactly a useful reference point for working at a fully-functioning modern power plant.

It's very unlikely that the one your husband could work at will explode.

[mumstheword33]

Thank you for your view Trills. Im not saying he would be working (and we would be living) at or necessarily right near a plant but within a reasonable distance. Likely to be within 15 or 20km away to be practical. I know technology has moved on but surely its the same dangerous technology or risks but still a potential issue. Reading blogs there seems to be v mixed views which i wonder if they are actually impartial or from industry related people. Im sorry not saying you are not impartial but its a big thing to potentially put my children at risk so think i will try and find out more. Thanks for your thoughts

[MsAdorabelleDearheartVonLipwig]

My husband works in a nuclear power plant. Pretty sure the cancer rates among the staff are no higher than anywhere else so I'm sure the local population is fairly safe.

[SheRaaarghPrincessOfPower]

You're being quite silly, Chernobyl was over 30 years ago and irrelevant for many reasons. Look at Sellafield if you're going to look at anything.

I wouldn't think twice about living near a nuclear power station. We're not on a fault line, we're not likely to be hit by tsunamis. What exactly are you worried about, background radiation? Where do you live, btw?

[MsAdorabelleDearheartVonLipwig]

And thousands of people live near and around it. I'm sure you're not suggesting that they're all ignorant and oblivious to the enormous risks.

[Ttbb]

You are being ridiculous. Chernobyl was a nuclear disaster. Unless the plant goes into melt down (highly unlikely) there is no issue. You are more likely to experience radiation exposure from a dirty bomb terrorist attack than from a brand new nuclear power plant.

[SheRaaarghPrincessOfPower]

I think I've had more radiation from a CT scan and holidays in Cornwall, than I did from wondering around Dungeness of a disbanded reactor.

[MsAdorabelleDearheartVonLipwig]

You'll get more radiation from a mobile phone than living near a power station.

[SheRaaarghPrincessOfPower]

*or

[lucydogz]

Safety standards vary a lot between different countries.
I have absolute faith in safety standards in European and USA standards, and can't do much about other parts of the world.

[mumstheword33]

Thanks for all your views. V useful. Ms Adorable thanks for your husbands first hand experience. Please do not take this as an offence but do you all have nuclear links or are some of you entirely neutral. Its just trying to get entirely impartial views. I am certainly not calling anyone ignorant or oblivious to the risks of living near a nuclear power station but that doesnt mean there arent any its just whether we are prepared to put our family (at even though an outside chance) risk. If you read some studies they do say plants emit some radiation from day one. It sounds to me that is a small but v outside risk. Might depend on how long job contract is. Thinking cap still on. Thanks again all

[mumstheword33]

Thanks for your message Sheraaargh but piece on debunking of Kinlen Theory, Ian Fairlie, does talk about increased cancer/leukaemia rates near Sellafield, Dounreay and Aldermaston for a long period. This doesnt tally with what you say but your views are appreciated. Cheers

[mumstheword33]

Thanks Lucy but reading things like the debunking of the Kinlen theory can make you feel sceptical especially as the government seems to be pushing nuclear so hard when you see headlines of alot cheaper power by other forms in papers. Think im going to go away and have further think. Good to hear some positives with the negatives. Thanks again

[SheRaaarghPrincessOfPower]

How does that not tally? You were taking about chernobyl!

[SheRaaarghPrincessOfPower]

You're not going to get unbiased views. Either people know about the nuclear industry or they don't.

You don't seem to have the first clue, beyond what you've read online about debunking the kinlen theory.


Where are you moving to?

[HerOtherHalf]

Chernobyl wss built in the 70s and the disaster was a combination of woefully inadequate safety systems and human error. Comparing a reactor being built now to it is like comparing a modern car to the model T ford.

[cdtaylornats]

Taking a flight exposes you to more radiation than going to visit a nuclear reactor.

[mumstheword33]

Thanks all. Sheraargh possibly moving to Taunton or Bridgewater area depends on exactly where job is and what we reckon of schools/area. I know i mentioned Chernobyl but that was an accident that has happened. What i meant about not tallying was the report said that there was actually increased cancers and leukaemia near these plants for a long period. Im sceptical of all politicians nowadays so is this poIitical fudge. Also found an article saying that the germans did a report to prove it wasnt dangerous and it actually proved it was. I know im an amateur but it would be great to have a report from totally unbiased people saying that it was safe. When people say more chance of getting radiation in a flight seems a bit flippant to me. Again being a numpty i cant understand why we as a country want to take risks with anything so potentially dangerous when we have safer and from article other day cheaper alternatives. I know everybody goes on about something called base load but is this the be all and end all. Everbody keeps saying Chernobyl old technology but apparently new reactors are still v unproven and have some parts that may be suspect or something. Think this is one of those subjects more you read more interesting/confusing can get! I know typical mum with too much time on hands! Thanks to all and think its big risk assessment

[mumstheword33]

My/our own internal risk assessment i meant!

[Trills]

Taunton is much nicer than Bridgwater. Not for nuclear power related reasons though.

[Ifailed]

If radioactivity worries you, don't move to the west country as its a hotspot for Radon gas.

[MsAdorabelleDearheartVonLipwig]

Apparently there's some parts of the South West that you're not allowed to excavate cellars, etc, as the natural radiation is so strong.

[picklemepopcorn]

Op, I'm totally neutral- no connections to the industry, and a well developed sense of self preservation!

Modern life carries with it risks. Living near a city increases the risk of asthma and other pollution related health issues. Using a car has risk, using a road has risk.

Living near a modern British power station the risk is so low as to be unquantifiable, I think. Other things you make no effort to avoid are far riskier. Like slippers, and trampolines. Eating processed meat, or sweeteners.

Go for it. Your family will be fine.