CORE

PRESS RELEASE

18th October 2012

Cumbrians Opposed to a Radioactive

Environment
Dry Hall, Broughton Mills, Broughton-in-Furness, Cumbria LA20 6AZ.

Telephone 01229 716523

www.corecumbria.co.uk

Windscale - the Nuclear Laundry

Documentary, first shown 1st November
1983
Were discharges from Sellafield to blame?
after 30 years, the jury is still out.
It is somewhat galling that Black acknowledges that YTV may
have performed something of a public service, and I find it
even more galling to have to accept that YTV has so easily
identified what Black calls unusual mortality rates of
leukaemia amongst young people, when the local health
experts have failed to do so. (BNFL High Court 1992)
In 1993 the BMJ published the book Childhood Cancers and Nuclear Installations which states:
Childhood leukaemia in the vicinity of nuclear establishments has been one of the most
intensely discussed issues in British medical research in the past three decades and still continues
today.
Events began 30 years ago when, in early 1983, Yorkshire Television producer James Cutler went
to West Cumbria to gather information for a programme on the health of BNFL workers at
Sellafield. His research team ultimately discovered that in Seascale, a small village 2 miles from
the plant. seven children and young adults had had leukaemia diagnosed between 1956 and 1983,
whereas fewer than one case would have been expected.
The BMJ continues When the documentary was shown on 1st November 1983, public interest
was intense and it was widely believed that discharges from the Sellafield site had caused the
cancers.
Now, 30 years later, many still believe they did and,..... the unanswered question has Sellafield
been able to prove they didnt? remains.
CORE health campaigner Janine Allis-Smith said today:
Radioactive contamination of our environment as a result of Sellafield reprocessing
continues. In some of our coastal areas plutonium levels are increasing. The anniversary
showing of this iconic documentary will hopefully help a new and young generation make up
their mind whether or not to support nuclear expansion in Cumbria. The questions posed
then by the Nuclear Laundry, are the same today.
Windscale, the Nuclear Laundry can be accessed at http://youtu.be/UQmFeAGCpC0
For further information contact CORE on 01229 716523