The Atomic States of America

Gr 10 Up—Based on Kelly McMaster's book, Welcome to Shirley: A Memoir from an Atomic Town (Public Affairs, 2008) about her hometown which is situated next to the Brookhaven National Laboratory on Long Island, this production examines the health risks of living near a nuclear facility. The author tells about her memories of neighbors who died from cancer-related illnesses as did people who lived near Three Mile Island and a nuclear facility in northern Illinois. Using historical film footage, many of the incidents are revisited and explained to viewers. Past accidents and the cost of building nuclear power plants as well as the required government loan guarantees have not stopped a renaissance of nuclear power in the United States. Neither has the recent disaster at Fukushima in Japan. Also addressed is the issue of nuclear waste and what to do with it. Scientists, government officials, politicians, energy company employees, and citizen-activists tell a compelling story—all believing that they are telling the truth. But as pointed out in one commentary, money and politics meet at the nuclear power plant. In concluding the film and its clear presentation of facts and opinions, McMasters reminds viewers that "we all live downstream from something." Teachers should be aware that some curse words are used in the film. Divided into chapters, the program will best be understood by students with some prior knowlege of nuclear energy.—Patricia Ann Owens, Illinois Eastern Community Colleges, Mt. Carmel