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Peer-Reviewed Science on Radiation Health Effects Dispels ‘Tooth Fairy Project’
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Scientists Debunk ‘Tooth Fairy’ Claim
The following is a compilation of the results of numerous studies that repeatedly have addressed and debunked RPHP’s allegations linking low-level radiation and cancer.
American Cancer Society, New Jersey Division, Sept. 26, 1997
“Ionizing radiation emissions from nuclear facilities are closely controlled and involve negligible levels of exposure for communities near such plants. Although reports about cancer case clusters in such communities have raised public concern, studies show that clusters do not occur more often near nuclear plants than they do by chance elsewhere in the population.”
Stephen V. Musolino, et al., comments on “Breast Cancer: Evidence for a Relation to Fission Products in the Diet,” International Journal of Health Services, 1995, 25(3), 475-480
“For over three decades, Ernest Sternglass (recently joined by Jay Gould) has made more than 50 similar allegations connecting radioactivity from fallout from nuclear weapons testing and, subsequently, from nuclear reactors, with increased infant mortality, a decline in SAT scores, and an increase in leukemia mortality. Lately, they have begun to make claims of a correlation between breast cancer incidence and releases of radioactivity from nuclear power plants.
“In the past, over 50 critical examinations of these types of allegations by numerous reputable scientists have found the Sternglass methodology scientifically deficient and consisting principally of selected evidence. Furthermore, as an example of the numerous formal refutations of the claims by Sternglass and/or Gould, the Minnesota Energy Agency concluded that ‘with respect to Dr. Sternglass, both his methodology and his conclusions have been repeatedly rejected in numerous scientific and technical studies, including evaluations done by the United States Environmental Protection Agency, the National Cancer Institute, the National Academy of Sciences and by many independent scientists.’”
Mark S. Rappoport, M.D., M.P.H., Westchester County Commissioner of Health, letter to the editor, North County News, Nov. 22, 1995
“I am writing in response to a letter to the editor citing a new study by Greenpeace, which alleges a correlation between breast cancer rates and proximity to nuclear power plants in the Great Lakes Basin. In 1993, a similar allegation was made by the same authors about breast cancer rates in this area and was totally discredited by local, state and national health officials.”
“Fact vs. Fear,” letter to the editor, Minneapolis Star Tribune, May 6, 1995
“Sternglass’ findings were surprising, as they did not square with other known studies. The (Minnesota) Department of Health quite properly chose to investigate. It performed a much more rigorous analysis of cancer data than did Sternglass, considering not just breast cancer mortality rates but far more numerous data on cancer occurrences. In addition, it studied types of cancers known to be sensitive to radiation exposure: bone and thyroid cancer and leukemia. In all cases, the study found cancer rates ‘statistically indistinguishable’ between the 10 counties near nuclear plants and the balance of the state. In fact, the study notes that rates were lower or showed a sharper downward trend in the ‘nuclear’ counties. Although those differences are not significant, they are the opposite of what would be expected if a harmful exposure had occurred in these counties.
“What, therefore, to make of the allegations from Sternglass? The Health Department is somewhat gentle in dismissing his ‘methodological limitations and errors.’ But such nuclear fear mongering has real consequences. … Let this study by the Department of Health put to rest ill-founded fears raised to scare citizens into making costly, uninformed, short-term decisions.”
Minnesota Cancer Surveillance System report, “The Occurrence of Cancer in Minnesota 1988-1992: Incidence, Mortality and Trends,” submitted to the Minnesota Department of Health – Chronic Disease and Environmental Epidemiology, March 1995
“This analysis was undertaken following allegations by several individuals and environmental groups in 1994 that significant increases in breast cancer mortality rates had occurred in counties close to the Prairie Island and Monticello nuclear power plants.
“The differences in rates in these counties and other ‘nuclear’ counties in Minnesota and throughout the U.S. were attributed to the operation of those plants.
“The Minnesota Department of Health attempted to replicate and expand those analyses using complete cancer mortality data for the period 1950 through 1992. No significant differences in trends in breast cancer mortality rates were detected for counties surrounding the Monticello or Prairie Island plants compared to the overall Minnesota average. Also, no significant differences were found for the rates of newly diagnosed breast cancers for the years 1988-1992, for which complete data are available from the Minnesota Cancer Surveillance System. No differences were found in mortality or incidence rates for cancers of the bone and thyroid gland or for leukemia—cancers for which ionizing radiation is an established risk factor.”
John Moulder, The Milwaukee Journal, Oct. 27, 1994
“John Moulder, a radiation biologist at the Medical College of Wisconsin in Wauwatosa, said the Sternglass claim was ‘patently false. There has been no unexpected increase in cancer rates in the counties that have or are next to nuclear facilities, including Manitowoc and Kewaunee Counties,’ Moulder said.”
B. Kim Mortensen, The (Cleveland) Plain Dealer, Oct. 7, 1993
“Nuclear power critic Ernest Sternglass boldly proclaimed in August that the Perry nuclear power plant caused an increase in low-birth-weight babies in Lake, Geauga, Cuyahoga and Ashtabula counties. The Ohio Department of Health says it isn’t so.
“State officials reviewed Sternglass’ data and determined his methods were flawed. They found no evidence to support his claim that Perry caused a 40 percent rise in low-birth-weight babies in the four counties from 1986 through 1991.
“‘The rise is artificial. He created the rise,’ said Kim Mortensen, chief of the epidemiology and toxicology bureau. ‘If you look at what he did, he picked points, whether intentional or not, that made them go in the direction he wanted. Some would argue he produced the results he wanted.’”
William R. Hendlee, review of the book "Deadly Deceit: Low-Level Radiation, High-Level Cover-Up," Journal of the Health Physics Society, December 1990, 59(6)
“Many of the allegations in this book have been discredited several times over. For example, the National Center for Health Statistics reports that the age-adjusted U.S. mortality rate actually dropped to an all-time low in 1986. The Connecticut Department of Public Health has been unable to identify any cancer increases near the Millstone facility, and the Pennsylvania Department of Health has detected no health effects other than psychological stress resulting from the Three Mile Island accident. But these conclusions do not seem to deter the authors.”
Paul Meier, “Sly Statistics,” review of the book “Deadly Deceit: Low-Level Radiation, High-Level Cover-Up,” The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, September 1990
“In essence, Sternglass followed an old and discredited style of epidemiological analysis, unsystematically selecting data sets and analyses that fit one’s thesis, and ignoring or explaining away other findings. Public health data are so rife with selection biases and other distortions that even the most experienced practitioners often go astray. Epidemiology is not a field for amateurs.”
David Carroll, letter to Governor’s Chesapeake Bay Coordinator, State of Maryland, Office of the Governor, Aug. 15, 1988
“The correlation between infant mortality and radiation from Peach Bottom (nuclear power plant), which Dr. Sternglass asserts exists, is not supported by the information presented. A preliminary review of this information by several Maryland agencies indicates that this information does not merit a detailed review.
“I am also concerned that inaccurate information such as that presented by Dr. Sternglass is continually used to misinform the public, and to promote emotional, rather than rational, responses.”
Pennsylvania Department of Health, news release in response to Sternglass allegations, April 20, 1981
“The state Health Department’s director of epidemiological research labeled a two-part magazine article written by nuclear-power opponent Dr. Sternglass as ‘highly inaccurate to the extent of creating unnecessary fear in the minds of Commonwealth Citizens.’
“Dr. Sternglass’ words have the potential of creating fear, apprehension, stress and even panic among the residents of central Pennsylvania. This is totally irresponsible, and the Department of Health regrets that the public has been subjected to such unfounded statements from Dr. Sternglass,’ Dr. George Tokuhata said.”
Michigan Department of Public Health, review of Sternglass paper, “Infant Mortality Changes Near the Big Rock Point Nuclear Power Stations, Charlevoix, Michigan,” February 1971
“Sternglass’ papers have not been based on scientific tests, but rather on a statistical data evaluation of infant mortality rates and reactor-plant emissions, selecting and rejecting figures to arrive at an apparently biased conclusion.
“In his statistics, Sternglass lists 10 counties on a chart called ‘Adjacent Counties.’ What they are adjacent to is unknown, because if it refers to the Big Rock Point plant, he is using Crawford, Kakaska, Benzie and Grand Traverse counties, all of which have a buffer county between them and the power plant. But only by using Grand Traverse County, 45 miles from the plant and approximately 180 degrees from the direction of the prevailing winds, is he able to make his point of a rise in the infant mortality during 1966-67. Grand Traverse County had a percentage increase of 44.5 during that period.
“Charlevoix, the county in which the plant is located, and Emmet County, directly east of the site and in line with the prevailing winds, had a decrease in infant mortality from 1966-67. Sternglass’ conclusion that the reactor plant has influence over the 10 counties is certainly questionable when the two closest counties show no effect and he is forced to use counties far to the south to buoy his figures.
“The ‘three independent tests’ [with which Dr. Sternglass claimed to have verified his data] were not tests at all, but other papers written by Dr. Sternglass using the same irresponsible method of interpreting and selecting figures to fit his conclusions.
“Based on the material used by Sternglass, there is no logical reason to conclude that there is a connection between infant mortality and radioactive effluent from the Big Rock Point reactor.”
Office of Radiological Health, Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Resources, summary statement on Sternglass allegations concerning nuclear power and infant mortality, Feb. 8, 1971
“It appears that Dr. Sternglass, even using selected data to fit his theories, has not proven that any relationship exists between the proximity to nuclear facilities in Pennsylvania and infant mortality rates.”
Committee on Environmental Hazards, American Academy of Pediatrics, April 15, 1970
“Significant time and energy have been devoted to evaluating the papers and conclusions of Dr. Sternglass. Evaluation of the data has convinced the committee that his conclusions are completely unfounded and unsubstantiated. The Sternglass hypothesis can be criticized for these reasons:
Peter Greenwald, M.D., Director, Cancer Control Bureau, and Sandra Kinch, Director, Health Statistics, New York State Department of Health, “Is There Evidence for an Association of Radioactive Fallout to Leukemia and Fetal Mortality in New York State?” (n.d.)
“Doctor E. J. Sternglass has presented evidence purporting to show a relationship of radioactive fallout to leukemia and fetal mortality. Crucial to his analysis are the leukemia and fetal mortality trends in the Albany-Schenectady-Rensselaer county area of New York state during the 1950s.
“Using ‘Vital Statistics’ and State Cancer Registry data, the New York State Department of Health has analyzed the Sternglass report and the data upon which it is based. The results of our analyses tend to refute the validity and the conclusion of the Sternglass report. We, therefore, can find no evidence for a relationship of fallout to leukemia in Albany, Schenectady or Rensselaer counties.”
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Scientists Debunk ‘Tooth Fairy’ Claim
The following is a compilation of the results of numerous studies that repeatedly have addressed and debunked RPHP’s allegations linking low-level radiation and cancer.
American Cancer Society, New Jersey Division, Sept. 26, 1997
“Ionizing radiation emissions from nuclear facilities are closely controlled and involve negligible levels of exposure for communities near such plants. Although reports about cancer case clusters in such communities have raised public concern, studies show that clusters do not occur more often near nuclear plants than they do by chance elsewhere in the population.”
Stephen V. Musolino, et al., comments on “Breast Cancer: Evidence for a Relation to Fission Products in the Diet,” International Journal of Health Services, 1995, 25(3), 475-480
“For over three decades, Ernest Sternglass (recently joined by Jay Gould) has made more than 50 similar allegations connecting radioactivity from fallout from nuclear weapons testing and, subsequently, from nuclear reactors, with increased infant mortality, a decline in SAT scores, and an increase in leukemia mortality. Lately, they have begun to make claims of a correlation between breast cancer incidence and releases of radioactivity from nuclear power plants.
“In the past, over 50 critical examinations of these types of allegations by numerous reputable scientists have found the Sternglass methodology scientifically deficient and consisting principally of selected evidence. Furthermore, as an example of the numerous formal refutations of the claims by Sternglass and/or Gould, the Minnesota Energy Agency concluded that ‘with respect to Dr. Sternglass, both his methodology and his conclusions have been repeatedly rejected in numerous scientific and technical studies, including evaluations done by the United States Environmental Protection Agency, the National Cancer Institute, the National Academy of Sciences and by many independent scientists.’”
Mark S. Rappoport, M.D., M.P.H., Westchester County Commissioner of Health, letter to the editor, North County News, Nov. 22, 1995
“I am writing in response to a letter to the editor citing a new study by Greenpeace, which alleges a correlation between breast cancer rates and proximity to nuclear power plants in the Great Lakes Basin. In 1993, a similar allegation was made by the same authors about breast cancer rates in this area and was totally discredited by local, state and national health officials.”
“Fact vs. Fear,” letter to the editor, Minneapolis Star Tribune, May 6, 1995
“Sternglass’ findings were surprising, as they did not square with other known studies. The (Minnesota) Department of Health quite properly chose to investigate. It performed a much more rigorous analysis of cancer data than did Sternglass, considering not just breast cancer mortality rates but far more numerous data on cancer occurrences. In addition, it studied types of cancers known to be sensitive to radiation exposure: bone and thyroid cancer and leukemia. In all cases, the study found cancer rates ‘statistically indistinguishable’ between the 10 counties near nuclear plants and the balance of the state. In fact, the study notes that rates were lower or showed a sharper downward trend in the ‘nuclear’ counties. Although those differences are not significant, they are the opposite of what would be expected if a harmful exposure had occurred in these counties.
“What, therefore, to make of the allegations from Sternglass? The Health Department is somewhat gentle in dismissing his ‘methodological limitations and errors.’ But such nuclear fear mongering has real consequences. … Let this study by the Department of Health put to rest ill-founded fears raised to scare citizens into making costly, uninformed, short-term decisions.”
Minnesota Cancer Surveillance System report, “The Occurrence of Cancer in Minnesota 1988-1992: Incidence, Mortality and Trends,” submitted to the Minnesota Department of Health – Chronic Disease and Environmental Epidemiology, March 1995
“This analysis was undertaken following allegations by several individuals and environmental groups in 1994 that significant increases in breast cancer mortality rates had occurred in counties close to the Prairie Island and Monticello nuclear power plants.
“The differences in rates in these counties and other ‘nuclear’ counties in Minnesota and throughout the U.S. were attributed to the operation of those plants.
“The Minnesota Department of Health attempted to replicate and expand those analyses using complete cancer mortality data for the period 1950 through 1992. No significant differences in trends in breast cancer mortality rates were detected for counties surrounding the Monticello or Prairie Island plants compared to the overall Minnesota average. Also, no significant differences were found for the rates of newly diagnosed breast cancers for the years 1988-1992, for which complete data are available from the Minnesota Cancer Surveillance System. No differences were found in mortality or incidence rates for cancers of the bone and thyroid gland or for leukemia—cancers for which ionizing radiation is an established risk factor.”
John Moulder, The Milwaukee Journal, Oct. 27, 1994
“John Moulder, a radiation biologist at the Medical College of Wisconsin in Wauwatosa, said the Sternglass claim was ‘patently false. There has been no unexpected increase in cancer rates in the counties that have or are next to nuclear facilities, including Manitowoc and Kewaunee Counties,’ Moulder said.”
B. Kim Mortensen, The (Cleveland) Plain Dealer, Oct. 7, 1993
“Nuclear power critic Ernest Sternglass boldly proclaimed in August that the Perry nuclear power plant caused an increase in low-birth-weight babies in Lake, Geauga, Cuyahoga and Ashtabula counties. The Ohio Department of Health says it isn’t so.
“State officials reviewed Sternglass’ data and determined his methods were flawed. They found no evidence to support his claim that Perry caused a 40 percent rise in low-birth-weight babies in the four counties from 1986 through 1991.
“‘The rise is artificial. He created the rise,’ said Kim Mortensen, chief of the epidemiology and toxicology bureau. ‘If you look at what he did, he picked points, whether intentional or not, that made them go in the direction he wanted. Some would argue he produced the results he wanted.’”
William R. Hendlee, review of the book "Deadly Deceit: Low-Level Radiation, High-Level Cover-Up," Journal of the Health Physics Society, December 1990, 59(6)
“Many of the allegations in this book have been discredited several times over. For example, the National Center for Health Statistics reports that the age-adjusted U.S. mortality rate actually dropped to an all-time low in 1986. The Connecticut Department of Public Health has been unable to identify any cancer increases near the Millstone facility, and the Pennsylvania Department of Health has detected no health effects other than psychological stress resulting from the Three Mile Island accident. But these conclusions do not seem to deter the authors.”
Paul Meier, “Sly Statistics,” review of the book “Deadly Deceit: Low-Level Radiation, High-Level Cover-Up,” The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, September 1990
“In essence, Sternglass followed an old and discredited style of epidemiological analysis, unsystematically selecting data sets and analyses that fit one’s thesis, and ignoring or explaining away other findings. Public health data are so rife with selection biases and other distortions that even the most experienced practitioners often go astray. Epidemiology is not a field for amateurs.”
David Carroll, letter to Governor’s Chesapeake Bay Coordinator, State of Maryland, Office of the Governor, Aug. 15, 1988
“The correlation between infant mortality and radiation from Peach Bottom (nuclear power plant), which Dr. Sternglass asserts exists, is not supported by the information presented. A preliminary review of this information by several Maryland agencies indicates that this information does not merit a detailed review.
“I am also concerned that inaccurate information such as that presented by Dr. Sternglass is continually used to misinform the public, and to promote emotional, rather than rational, responses.”
Pennsylvania Department of Health, news release in response to Sternglass allegations, April 20, 1981
“The state Health Department’s director of epidemiological research labeled a two-part magazine article written by nuclear-power opponent Dr. Sternglass as ‘highly inaccurate to the extent of creating unnecessary fear in the minds of Commonwealth Citizens.’
“Dr. Sternglass’ words have the potential of creating fear, apprehension, stress and even panic among the residents of central Pennsylvania. This is totally irresponsible, and the Department of Health regrets that the public has been subjected to such unfounded statements from Dr. Sternglass,’ Dr. George Tokuhata said.”
Michigan Department of Public Health, review of Sternglass paper, “Infant Mortality Changes Near the Big Rock Point Nuclear Power Stations, Charlevoix, Michigan,” February 1971
“Sternglass’ papers have not been based on scientific tests, but rather on a statistical data evaluation of infant mortality rates and reactor-plant emissions, selecting and rejecting figures to arrive at an apparently biased conclusion.
“In his statistics, Sternglass lists 10 counties on a chart called ‘Adjacent Counties.’ What they are adjacent to is unknown, because if it refers to the Big Rock Point plant, he is using Crawford, Kakaska, Benzie and Grand Traverse counties, all of which have a buffer county between them and the power plant. But only by using Grand Traverse County, 45 miles from the plant and approximately 180 degrees from the direction of the prevailing winds, is he able to make his point of a rise in the infant mortality during 1966-67. Grand Traverse County had a percentage increase of 44.5 during that period.
“Charlevoix, the county in which the plant is located, and Emmet County, directly east of the site and in line with the prevailing winds, had a decrease in infant mortality from 1966-67. Sternglass’ conclusion that the reactor plant has influence over the 10 counties is certainly questionable when the two closest counties show no effect and he is forced to use counties far to the south to buoy his figures.
“The ‘three independent tests’ [with which Dr. Sternglass claimed to have verified his data] were not tests at all, but other papers written by Dr. Sternglass using the same irresponsible method of interpreting and selecting figures to fit his conclusions.
“Based on the material used by Sternglass, there is no logical reason to conclude that there is a connection between infant mortality and radioactive effluent from the Big Rock Point reactor.”
Office of Radiological Health, Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Resources, summary statement on Sternglass allegations concerning nuclear power and infant mortality, Feb. 8, 1971
“It appears that Dr. Sternglass, even using selected data to fit his theories, has not proven that any relationship exists between the proximity to nuclear facilities in Pennsylvania and infant mortality rates.”
Committee on Environmental Hazards, American Academy of Pediatrics, April 15, 1970
“Significant time and energy have been devoted to evaluating the papers and conclusions of Dr. Sternglass. Evaluation of the data has convinced the committee that his conclusions are completely unfounded and unsubstantiated. The Sternglass hypothesis can be criticized for these reasons:
- “He has selected data to prepare his hypothesis without considering the far more extensive data that do not support it. In particular, his conclusions conflict with the results of a sophisticated study concerning the offspring of atomic-bomb survivors in Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
- “Several assumptions on which Sternglass’ hypothesis rests have been shown to be erroneous.
- “He has misinterpreted some information in seeking support for his thesis from other studies.
- “Animal experiments concerned with chronic irradiation delivered at a much higher dose rate than that delivered by fallout radiation, and in some instances for many generations, do not increase fetal or infant mortality.”
“Dr. Sternglass’ concern about nuclear warfare and fallout is shared by all. By misinterpreting the available data and subjecting himself and science in general to ridicule or suspicion, he may inadvertently be hampering the attainment of some of the goals he considers important. The committee shared his concern but not his methodology or conclusions.”
Peter Greenwald, M.D., Director, Cancer Control Bureau, and Sandra Kinch, Director, Health Statistics, New York State Department of Health, “Is There Evidence for an Association of Radioactive Fallout to Leukemia and Fetal Mortality in New York State?” (n.d.)
“Doctor E. J. Sternglass has presented evidence purporting to show a relationship of radioactive fallout to leukemia and fetal mortality. Crucial to his analysis are the leukemia and fetal mortality trends in the Albany-Schenectady-Rensselaer county area of New York state during the 1950s.
“Using ‘Vital Statistics’ and State Cancer Registry data, the New York State Department of Health has analyzed the Sternglass report and the data upon which it is based. The results of our analyses tend to refute the validity and the conclusion of the Sternglass report. We, therefore, can find no evidence for a relationship of fallout to leukemia in Albany, Schenectady or Rensselaer counties.”
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