| Strontium-90 Claims of a Link Between Strontium-90 and Breast Cancer Not Supported by Sound Science
- Strontium is a stable metal element that occurs naturally in small amounts in the Earth's crust.
- One radioactive form (isotope) of strontium—strontium-90—is a prominent by-product of the nuclear fission (chain reaction) process and has a half-life of 29 years. Scientists know that strontium-90 found in the environment comes from above-ground atomic weapons testing, which was banned more than 30 years ago.
- Strontium-90 is chemically similar to calcium, following calcium through the food chain and appearing in human bone and teeth. Thus, strontium-90 found in baby teeth has been transported through the milk of dairy cattle that have eaten vegetation containing the material. Strontium-90 is found only in baby teeth because the adult body rejects the material in favor of calcium.
- Like all radioactive materials, strontium-90 can be precisely measured at extremely low levels. The U.S. Department of Energy and its predecessor agencies have monitored strontium-90 levels since the early 1950s.
- Radiation safety programs at nuclear power plants monitor and analyze air and water releases—including specific analysis for strontium-90—using state-of-the-art sampling techniques and laboratory analysis. These ongoing monitoring programs—subject to strict oversight by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission and state government agencies—provide government agencies with accurate information that is published on a regular basis and available to the public.
- The multiple safety barriers and constant monitoring used at nuclear power plants assure that any strontium-90 releases are so small as to be indistinguishable in comparison with the amount of strontium-90 already in the environment from weapons testing, which is well below government limits. No credible scientific study has shown that the levels of strontium found in the environment today pose a health risk. It is misleading and reckless to equate the mere presence of a radioactive isotope—many of which exist naturally in the environment and in the human body—with adverse health effects. Claims of a link between strontium-90 and breast cancer are not supported by sound science.
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