(Over 30,000 radioactive cylinders sit, rusting and leaking at the Piketon facility)

Petition to the U.S. Congress for RECA Expansion to Include Communities Affected by the Portsmouth Gaseous Diffusion Plant

Introduction:

We, the undersigned residents of communities surrounding the Portsmouth Gaseous Diffusion Plant (PORTS) in Piketon, Ohio, petition the United States Congress to expand the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA) to include individuals who have developed health problems due to their proximity to the plant.

 

 

 

 

Mini documentary-

Background:

The PORTS operated from 1952 to 2001, enriching uranium for the U.S. nuclear weapons program and civilian power generation. Residents of Piketon and surrounding communities have long raised concerns about potential health risks associated with the plant's operations, including:

 

 

 

 

(image from the 1978 spill)

 

 

 

 

(Pipe from the plant leaking a blue liquid into a creek)

 

 

 

 

Air and water releases: The plant released radioactive materials into the air and water.

 

 

 

 

(Newspaper clipping that shows radioactive building materials were buried at Piketon)

Waste disposal: Improper waste disposal practices at the plant have caused long-term contamination of the environment.

Lack of transparency: Residents have experienced a lack of transparency regarding the full extent of potential health risks associated with the plant.

 

 

 

 

Health Concerns:

Studies have shown an increased prevalence of cancers and other health problems in communities surrounding the PORTS compared to national averages.

 

 

 

 

(Report showing Pike County has highest cancer rates in the state of Ohio)

RECA Expansion:

We urge the Congress to consider expanding RECA to include communities and residents that neighbor the PORTS facility and have developed specific health conditions listed in the Act. This would provide much-needed financial assistance and recognition for those who may have suffered health consequences due to their proximity to the plant.

Call to Action:

We urge Congress to:

Conduct a comprehensive health study to assess the potential health impacts of the PORTS on surrounding communities.

Expand RECA eligibility to include residents of Piketon and surrounding communities who meet the established criteria.

Provide ongoing transparency and communication with affected communities regarding potential health risks and available resources.

Conclusion:

We believe that expanding RECA to include the PORTS community is a matter of environmental justice and public health. We urge Congress to take swift and decisive action to address the concerns of these communities and provide them with the support they deserve.

(Public Meeting Video)

Important Documents

Please sign this petition and share it with others to show your support.

 

Jason Salley, PRESS Media Relations, Certified Human Rights Consultant, American Nuclear Activist Alliance Founder: jasonsalley@aol.com

Vina Colley, PRESS President and Co-Founder of NNWJ: 740-357-8916, vcolley@earthlink.net

Gina Doyle, Don't Dump On Us: doylegina157@gmail.com

About PRESS and NNWJ:

Portsmouth/Piketon Residents for Environmental Safety and Security (PRESS) and the National Nuclear Workers for Justice (NNWJ) are non-profit organizations dedicated to advocating for the rights of workers and residents affected by radioactive contamination from the nuclear energy sector. Founded in the 1980s, PRESS and NNWJ provide support, legal assistance, and medical care to victims of radioactive contamination, while also lobbying for legislative action and improved safety standards at nuclear facilities.

About Don't Dump on Us:

Don't Dump on Us is an advocacy group focused on addressing environmental and public health concerns related to radioactive contamination in communities affected by nuclear activities. The organization works to raise awareness, advocate for policy changes, and support affected individuals and communities.