“It is somewhat galling that Black acknowledges that YTV may have performed something of a public service, and I find it even more galling to have to accept that YTV has so easily identified what Black calls unusual mortality rates of leukaemia amongst young people, when the local health experts have failed to do so”. (BNFL – High Court 1992)
“Childhood leukaemia in the vicinity of nuclear establishments has been one of the most intensely discussed issues in British medical research in the past three decades and still continues today.
Events began 30 years ago when, in early 1983, Yorkshire Television producer James Cutler went to West Cumbria to gather information for a programme on the health of BNFL workers at Sellafield. His research team ultimately discovered that in Seascale, a small village 2 miles from the plant. seven children and young adults had had leukaemia diagnosed between 1956 and 1983, whereas fewer than one case would have been expected.
When the documentary was shown on 1st November 1983, public interest was intense and it was widely believed that discharges from the Sellafield site had caused the cancers”. (BMJ 1993 Childhood Cancers and Nuclear Installations)
Now, 30 years later, many still believe they did … the unanswered question “has Sellafield been able to prove they didn’t?”, remains.
CORE health campaigner Janine Allis-Smith said today:
“Radioactive contamination of our environment as a result of Sellafield reprocessing continues. In some of our coastal areas plutonium levels are increasing. The anniversary showing of this iconic documentary will hopefully help a new and young generation make up their mind whether or not to support nuclear expansion in Cumbria. The questions posed then by the Nuclear Laundry, are the same today.”
For the moment the Documentary can be accessed on the Cumbrians Opposed to a Radioactive Environment Facebook page.
For further information contact CORE on 01229 716523