"I commend the Radiation and Public Health Project (RPHP), Standing for Truth about Radiation (STAR), the Westchester People's Action Coalition and the many other organizations who have committed their time and resources to exposing the threat to public health posed by nuclear power reactors. Likewise, I applaud Alec Baldwin for devoting his time and energy to bring attention to this important initiative.

"For many years, we've had reason to suspect that the radioactive byproducts of nuclear power and research facilities are to blame for alarmingly high rates of cancer in localized areas. These "cancer clusters" are particularly common in the vicinity of New York State's nuclear sites.

"These early findings from the Tooth Fairy Project report that this is no coincidence. The study brings new life - and stronger scientific evidence - to the argument that nuclear reactors are contributing to our nation's cancer epidemic. In light of the February 15 accident at Indian Point 2, the data presented by the RPHP today is even more disturbing. It is clear from this study that our children are at risk, facing concentrations of Sr-90 that are similar to the peak years of fallout in the 1950s and '60s.

"In the wake of the nuclear test ban treaties and the end of government testing for Sr-90 uptake, the impact of nuclear reactors on our communities has fallen off the public agenda. I sincerely hope that the Tooth Fairy Project will serve as a wake-up call to New Yorkers and all Americans and will inspire a new vigilance against the use of nuclear power in our communities."