Media Advisory – 2/23/16
What – Rally: Indian Point Tritium Leaks – Close Indian Point
Question – “Mayor de Blasio – Is Our Water Safe?”
When – Thursday, March 3, 2016, 12:00 Noon – 1:00 PM
Where – Chambers & Centre St; NE of City Hall; #4, #5, #6, E, A, #1-3 Trains
Sponsoring Organization – Shut Down Indian Point Now www.sdipn.net / 347-640-3660 / www.facebook.com/sdipn / @sdipn
Participants – Citizens Concerned about the Safety of Our Water
Background – February 6, 2016, Indian Point reported a huge increase in radioactive tritium-contaminated water in several wells around reactor # 2, more than 8 million picocuries per liter, a 65,000 % increase over previous levels. Feb. 10th, just 4 days later, the concentration of tritium had increased by 80%.
Tritium is carcenogenic, mutagenic, teratogenic (linked to birth defects), and has been linked to cancer clusters and other public health problems. It is also a marker for other radioctive elements such as Cesium-37, Cobalt-60, Nickel-63 and highly radioactive strontium-90 that mimics calcium, settles in bone tissue and is a known cause of leukemia and other bone cancers.
Gov. Cuomo called for investigations by the Department of Health, the Department of Conservation and the Public Service Commission. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) dispatched a special investigator. No results have been reported to date.
Roger Downs of Sierra Club Atlantic Chapter; Manna Jo Greene of the Hudson River Sloop Clearwater; Marilyn Elie of Indian Point Safe Energy Coalition; Alfred Meyer of Physicians for Social Responsibility, among others are calling for an immediate shut down of Indian Point while investigations are going on. Riverkeeper President, Paul Gallay pointed out that since May 2015, Indian Point has suffered seven major malfunctions and now, these tritium leaks, Indian Point has demonstrated it can no longer operate safely and must be closed.
“These mishaps are happening at an accelerated pace. We shouldn’t be asked to wait for the next one. We have replacement electricity and don’t need Indian Point. The NY State Replacement Contingency Plan fully provides for NYC’s energy.” (NIRS)
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