Officials say there is no cause for alarm. However, no thorough studies have been done on these potential cancer-causing agents. State officials say the same thing. Jill MacKinnon, director of the Florida Cancer Data System, a massive database, said she is unaware of any research in Citrus County. That is not to say scientists do not monitor trends.
Some personal information is recorded but it is spotty.
Patients are not always asked whether they moved to Florida or what they did for a living. Despite widespread fear of nuclear power, there is no evidence of unsafe radiation levels at Florida Power, said Harlan Keaton of the state Department of Health's Bureau of Radiation Control. Each week, air samples are collected near the plant and then examined in a lab in Orlando. In addition, tests are conducted on water, soil, vegetation, fish and crops grown in the area, such as oranges and watermelons. Florida Power also uses coal as a fuel source.