Husband and I are considering moving to either Charlotte or Raleigh area. Huntersville or Cary perhaps. We have 2 small kids. I just learned that there are nuclear power plants nearby. (Shearon Harris and McGuire) Worried about long term health concerns. I currently live in NJ and the nearest power plant is 35 miles away and is much smaller than the plants in NC. Should I be concerned about these nuclear reactors? Are there any safety concerns regarding these plants? Do they use the recreational lakes to cool the power plants? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

I've lived in Raleigh for 20 years and haven't noticed any problems other than that 3rd arm I started growing last year...

Worked in nuclear power for >5 years in the Navy. No problems except genitals glowing a soft green, which can be quite helpful when -- censorsed by Fodors ---, or finding the toilet in a dark bathroom.

OK, seriously ... Nuclear power is SO regulated that I'd really have a lot more issues with OTHER industries than I do with nuclear power. Size of the plant would be of little concern to me, as if there were ever a problem with release of fission products, any release would be bad. I'd count on a larger plant to have a larger staff to monitor and prevent problems.

On the ship I was on, I originally had to work in "the plant", as well as stand my "watches" in the plant too. At a later time I was transferred to a "topside workcenter" -- in other words, my 8-5:30 working location was the entire ship OUTSIDE the propulsion areas, but I still stood my watches (usually 4 hour shifts, twice a day) in propulsion areas. Strange as it may seem, my exposure counts were higher when I spent less time in the area you'd expect to be worse. Natural background radiation that we all are exposed to was greater than in-plant radiation.

I'd be more concerned about various manufacturing plants, motor traffic, especially if there are frequent traffic jams, fossil fuel plants, and the chemicals used on lawns before I would worry about nuclear power plants.

My standard reply to those who would ban all nuclear plants is to ask them if they'd be willing to reduce their own electrical consumption the 23%-45% contributed by NP to the state grid.

rb_t,
Amen.
M

I think this might be a first, but I agree with rb and mike, lol!

DH worked in nuclear power for 20 years in the military, and so far he is fine.

Much of the country lives less than 100 miles from nuclear power plant. My guess is that if your smaller plant in NJ 35 miles away decided to melt down, you would also have trouble there.

If it were me, I would find something else to worry about - but that is just me. If you are going to feel insecure living that close, then no amount of statistical info will help and you should look elsewhere. Logic and statistics do not usually govern what we fear (if it did, I would not be a terrified flier!)

If one's worried about radiation exposure for the kids, check the area and individual house for radon, before deciding where to live. That's one of the higher radiation risks to most people.

mms,
a spark of rationality?
M

Just a tad, Mike, lol!

The real danger is the pine pollen fallout each year. Everything turns fluorescent yellow. Just wanted to let you know what this is so as not to create panic when it occurs.

Agree with rb.

Sheen, I don't mean to sound ugly but with everything going on in the world today I think maybe your Nuclear Power plant anxiety is due to something deeper. It certainly wouldn't hurt to talk to a professional.

BTW, my dad was a nuclear engineer for 40 years. Nuclear power is the greenest power.

Thanks to everyone for your responses. I don't know much about power plants except for what you hear in the news, which is usually negative. So, I really appreciate your knowledge on this topic. As far as the one posting saying I should seek professional help... all I can say is that I am just a concerned parent. No facility is 100% safe and I was just inquiring as to whether there have been any safety issues regarding those plants. Thanks for your concern though;-)