Reply #34: Ah. Yes. Exelon. That upstanding Nuclear plant that leaked Tritium Water [View All]

[in_cog_ni_to]

for YEARS into the grounds around Braidwood, Godley and Braceville Illinois and never bothered to tell anyone about it. They also had a diesel oil fuel leak, cleaned it up and dumped the clean-up into a local ditch and never told anyone. People were drinking the water, bathing in it, cooking with it until the water started turning OILY. THEN they found out about the damn oil dump. The Tritium issue came to light when a journalist questioned a resident about it. NO ONE KNEW about the leaks that had been going on for YEARS. Here's a snip from just one interview (you really should read the whole thing!). If you want to know about this HUGE Illinois story, just Google "Exelon" Braidwood, Braceville and Godley Illinois. My brother, S-I-L, 2 nieces and nephew lived in Godley when this happened. Their water was contaminated with Tritium water and diesel oil.

http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/environment/jan-june06/tritium_4-17.html

<snip>
ARJUN MAKHIJANI, Institute for Energy and Environmental Research: Tritium in any amount would present a health and safety standard. Just because there is a drinking water limit of 20,000 picocuries per liter doesn't mean that 5,000 or 1,000 picocuries per liter won't hurt you. They do pose a risk, proportionately a lower risk, but it's not a zero risk.

So I think Exelon should just cool it and stop telling people that there is no harm from low levels of tritium, because it's contrary to the established science, and the official scientific guidance, and the basis of all regulations.

ELIZABETH BRACKETT: Makhijani believes tritium acts like a bullet inside the body's cells, breaking the DNA strands, leaving damaged cells that can develop into cancers. Those most vulnerable are pregnant women and children.

ARJUN MAKHIJANI: Tritium has higher risks for children, because they're growing faster and their cells are multiplying faster. So whenever you have that kind of situation, radioactivity generally will have a greater impact, and tritium especially because it crosses the placenta. <snip>

Exelon should have been told to keep their money.