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Nuclear power: Unexpected health benefits

Nature Energy volume 2, Article number: 17058 (2017) Cite this article

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Public fears of nuclear power are widespread, especially in the aftermath of accidents, yet their benefits are rarely fully considered. A new study shows how the closure of two nuclear power plants in the 1980s increased air pollution and led to a measurable reduction in birth weights, a key indicator of future health outcomes.

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Figure 1: Nuclear at risk.

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  1. Michael Shellenberger is at Environmental Progress, 2569 Telegraph Avenue, Berkeley, California 94704, USA.,

    Michael Shellenberger

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  1. Michael Shellenberger
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Correspondence to Michael Shellenberger.

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Shellenberger, M. Nuclear power: Unexpected health benefits. Nat Energy 2, 17058 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1038/nenergy.2017.58

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/nenergy.2017.58

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