Nuclear power

A recent editorial in the paper urged the building of new nuclear plants, something I've long supported. What I found interesting was the statistics included, one of which was surprising.

In the aftermath of the Chernobyl meltdown, there were 31 deaths, but there have been only 10 deaths related to thyroid cancer, and no increase in leukemia or other cancers. This, despite 130,000 people receiving exposure to radiation.

In comparison, annual deaths in coal mining are 1,000, and annual deaths from natural gas explosions are 50.

This comparative analysis is refreshing to see. Too often, it's just not done. People are afraid of the risk of something, even though the alternative is far worse. Just today, there have probably been well more than 31 deaths on the roadways of the world.