NRC ends work on cancer risk study

The NRC is ceasing work on a National Academy of Science pilot study on cancer risks in populations near U-S nuclear power facilities.  An NRC announcement today said the agency had determined that continuing the work was impractical—given the significant time and resources needed and the agency’s current budget restraints.  But the government watchdog agency and state agencies continue to regularly analyze environmental samples from near the plants.  According to the NRC, these analyses show the releases, when they occur, are too small to cause observable increases in cancer risks near the facilities.