Story perspectives

Study Links Nuclear Plants to 115,000 Cancer Deaths

2/23/2026

Summary

Story summary

A nationwide study by Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health links living near nuclear power plants to higher cancer mortality, with the highest risk among older adults, published in Nature Communications.
The study estimates about 115,000 cancer deaths from 2000 to 2018 are linked to proximity to nuclear power plants.
Researchers used a novel 'continuous proximity' method that accounts for multiple nearby plants and socioeconomic factors; causality remains unproven, and findings call for further health-impact investigations as nuclear energy expands.

1 of 1

Story summary

A nationwide study by Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health links living near nuclear power plants to higher cancer mortality, with the highest risk among older adults, published in Nature Communications.
The study estimates about 115,000 cancer deaths from 2000 to 2018 are linked to proximity to nuclear power plants.
Researchers used a novel 'continuous proximity' method that accounts for multiple nearby plants and socioeconomic factors; causality remains unproven, and findings call for further health-impact investigations as nuclear energy expands.