Submitted February 20, 2007, 6:13 PM
What do you remember about the accident at Three Mile Island? How did you hear about what happened at the plant? What was your reaction?
I was in 10th grade attending Northeastern High School, Manchester, PA. They didn't tell us anything about what was taking place with TMI other than there was a major incident taking place and school was dismissing early. I was safer at school than I was at home. I was bused home to 1195 Cly Road, York Haven (Cly was only 1/4 mile across the river from TMI). We were told to keep our doors and windows closed. (Like that was going to help!)
|
If you were a resident living close-by the plant, please describe your experiences. If you had preschool children or were pregnant at the time, did you follow the evacuation advisory? Did you flee the area?
What did you think of the responses of the government, the industry and the press to the accident?
Looking back on it, I'd have to say things could have been handled differently. Everything was vague and undisclosed when it happened.
|
What are your reflections about the Three Mile Island accident more than two decades later? If you live or lived in the area, what longterm effects did TMI have on your family and community? Did the accident affect your opinion about nuclear power and other technologies?
Both of my parents died from different types of cancer back in 1992 and 1995. I have many friends whose parents were also diagnosed with cancer. We all lived within less than 2 miles from it. In 2004 I had a tumor removed from inside my spinal cord. The Neurological Surgeon told me that it appeared to have been slow-growing and it most like was growing since I was younger. I am now 44.
|
Do you have any further thoughts or reflections about Three Mile Island?
I believe radiation was being released way before the meltdown without everyone knowing. I feel that evacuation methods should have been given to those (like me) who were bused into the area whose parents were working and unavailable to get to us right away.
|
In addition to saving your story to the archive, may we post it to the web? (yes/no)
Name
|
|
© 1996–2009, Roy Rosenzweig Center for History and New Media. (Copyright Notice)
|
