Proximity to nuclear power plants associated with increased cancer mortality
Medical Xpress
February 23, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
U.S. counties closer to operational nuclear power plants (NPPs) exhibit higher cancer mortality rates compared to those farther away, according to a study led by Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. Published in Nature Communications, the research analyzed data across all U.S. counties and every operational NPP, making it the first 21st-century study on this topic. While the findings do not establish causality, they underscore the need for further investigation into potential health impacts associated with proximity to nuclear facilities.
The study considered factors such as population density, air quality, and socioeconomic status, which could influence cancer rates. Despite controlling for these variables, researchers observed a consistent pattern: counties nearer to N
Verticals
healthmedical
Originally published on Medical Xpress on 2/23/2026