Pike County advocacy groups unite to demand action on radioactive contamination

PIKE COUNTY, Ohio — Local advocacy groups concerned about radioactive contamination are joining forces to demand action from elected officials.

A community meeting will be held on Sunday, March 3rd, 2024, at 5:00 pm at the American Legion, 201 James Road, Waverly, to discuss recent test results and advocate for inclusion in the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA) downwinder program.

The meeting will feature updates from Portsmouth/Piketon Residents for Environmental Safety and Security (PRESS), the National Nuclear Workers for Justice (NNWJ), and Don’t Dump on Us. Notably, Dr. Michael E. Ketterer, Professor Emeritus of Chemistry and Biochemistry at Northern Arizona University, who uncovered contamination at Zahns Corner Middle School, will share his expertise.

Key concerns:

• Recent radioactive testing samples in Pike County.
• Exclusion of gaseous diffusion plant communities, like Piketon, from the RECA downwinder program despite exposure risks.
• High cancer rates and health risks associated with radioactive contamination.

Advocacy groups demand:

• Inclusion of all communities affected by gaseous diffusion plants in the RECA downwinder program, providing needed healthcare and compensation.
• Action from elected officials to address the issue and support affected communities.

The meeting is open to the public.