Oak Ridge Scary stuff

[rockytop47]

I would not want to live anywhere with in a 100 miles of Oak Ridge The effects and dangers are not being reported. My mother worked at Oak Ridge in the 1940s, she has suffered greatly over the past 60 some years. vision problems,joint and bone issues, sinus and breathing problems and the list goes on. the effects of this exposure has blended in with the natural process of aging so therefore is not recognized as effects from exposure. The government is and has not been truthful nor taken the responsibilty of destroying that area and allowing the exposure to continue through water and ground contamiants. The people living in that area today may not have the symptoms for years because of the gradual effects blending in with aging

[sassykat&joe]

I have a book that was written for navy personnel back around 1950. It tells them, if they are caught in a nculear blast to go inside the ship, and then wash down the decks with sea water and they will be alright. Nowadays, we know that won't work, but for the first several years of the cold war era, they didn't realize the extent of the danger. So, now we have several sites scattered around the world that are contaminated. In a way, it might be better to be around one that is known to be contaminated than, ummm, Love Canal, for example.

[Jason Monhollen]

Geez, Oak Ridge is like a what 25 minute drive to Knoxville?!! If you get bored by moving to Oak Ridge then buy a car. I remember girls saying to me geez, you live 13 miles from town?? That's out in the boondocks!! That's a 15 minute drive. Iy takes less time to commute to Knoxville from Oak Ridge than it does to drive from the east side to the west side of Knoxville. So why is it that if you can't reach out your window and touch your neighbors house or there isn't a club or mile in walking distance you live out in the boondocks??!! It's all a matter of perspective. I would rather live in a medium sized town just outside a big city and drive in for entertainment or work than to live downtown and deal with all the big city crime and traffic.

club or mall in walking distance.

[IndigoLight]

http://statecancerprofiles.cancer.gov/map/output/ScpMapImg_AA1EZM.png (broken link)

Here's the map comparing TN to other states based on cancer mortality rates.
The fact that the dumping of contaminated material occured in 40s and 50s doesn't mean we're safe now. Let's not forget the half-life of radioactive elements.
The Half-life of uranium-238 is about 4.47 billion years and that of uranium-235 is 704 million years.
What you don't know will hurt you.
So educate yourself. Knowledge is power.

Map - State Cancer Profiles
One can also do a comparison by county.

[DubbleT]

So how much of that cancer in TN is due to environmental contamination, and how much does being in the middle of mining or tobacco country contribute to that map? http://statecancerprofiles.cancer.go...&2&0&1&6&0#map
The map is a great tool but I don't think it can really tell the whole story.
Look at TN and the rates for cancer in children under 20 yrs of age, look at the rate for leukemia, and notice the high rates in Shelby county. Do I really assume that means Shelby county would be an unhealthy place to raise kids, or do I more likely contribute that high rate to the presence of St. Jude Children's Hospital being located in Memphis? http://statecancerprofiles.cancer.go...&2&0&1&6&0#map

It's one thing to say that your chances of dying of cancer are higher in this or that place, but it's another when you really sit down and dig into the details and discover the facts behind some of the stats.

[hiknapster]

From your map, Indigo. It shows which counties have the highest mortality rate. Did you check it out? It's not what you think. It's not Knox or Anderson. In fact, it looks like a lot of mine counties and low-density areas.

http://statecancerprofiles.cancer.go...&2&0&1&6&0#map

[IndigoLight]

Originally Posted by hiknapster

From your map, Indigo. It shows which counties have the highest mortality rate. Did you check it out? It's not what you think. It's not Knox or Anderson. In fact, it looks like a lot of mine counties and low-density areas.

http://statecancerprofiles.cancer.go...&2&0&1&6&0#map

Yes, I did check it. Don't worry, I didn't scratch TN off of my list, just like to be informed

[IndigoLight]

Originally Posted by DubbleT

It's one thing to say that your chances of dying of cancer are higher in this or that place, but it's another when you really sit down and dig into the details and discover the facts behind some of the stats.

I absolutely agree with you. My point was to show others that everything is not fine. And that one should educate him/herself. So your point is right on the money: need to dig deeper and find out more, rather then dismissing it with "everything is ok because I am still alive" (I am simplifying, but you know what I mean ).

[hiknapster]

Indigo, I'm not worried. I want people to move where they are comfortable and be happy. I have lived in places that made me miserable and I wouldn't want to wish it on anyone. If this is not your place, you shouldn't come here.

Regarding Oak Ridge, my opinion is this: I don't know.

I don't trust government reports.

There are many people that worked there and got sick. However, there were many, many more that did not. I suspect that some jobs were riskier than others and safety measures and even understanding of the process have certainly become better since 1942.

Now, there are oodles of scientists and their families that live there and know far more than I.

I saw the map that you posted about a year ago. At that point, I realized that there were other places that had far more environmental risks. I stopped posting that I thought Oak Ridge might start glowing in the middle of the night. It was long before I began this career.

[IndigoLight]

Originally Posted by hiknapster

I don't trust government reports.

I don't either