Sellafield leak linked with flu bug

June 1998

An unseasonal upsurge in colds and flu was this week being linked to the latest radioactive leak from the Sellafield Nuclear Fuel Reprocessing Plant.

Already linked to a high rate of cancer along the Irish East Coast, the controversial plant is now also being blamed for an increase in lesser ailments.

According to Bray-based homoeopath Ann Callaghan, there has undoubtedly been a link between high incidences of colds and flu-like symptoms and various radioactive leaks from Sellafield over the years.

‘As far back as February 1992, homoeopathic practitioners along the East Coast have noted outbreaks of flu in the immediate aftermath of leaks from Sellafield,’ she said.

‘We have also found that these ailments are of a type which only respond to radium bromide, a homoeopathic cure derived from radioactive material,’ said Ann, who went on to explain that the significance of this is that homoeopathy is a system of disease treatment relying on the administration of minute doses of a substance that in large doses produces symptoms like those in the disease.

Her concern was shared by Greystones based MEP Nuala Ahern, who said that while no scientific evidence had yet been established linking Sellafield to these type of ailments, there was definitely an overwhelming case to carry out detailed studies.

‘Sellafield has long been linked with cancer, but it could also be the case that discharges from the plant are cuasing damage to the immune systems of people living along the east coast, which is manifesting itself in colds and flu-like symptoms,’ she said.

According to one Bray GP, there has been a definite increase in the number of people suffering from colds and flu-like symptoms over recent weeks. While there was not enough evidence to rule Sellafield either in or out, it was also possible that patients were being affected by sudden variations in the weather.