In Pictures

When US faced nuclear calamity

After-effects of 1979 radiation leak from nuclear plant in Three Mile Island, Pennsylvania, is still felt and seen.

A reactor at the Three Mile Island nuclear power plant near Harrisburg, Pennsylvania overheated on March 28, 1979, releasing radioactive gases [All photos by Alessandro Rampietti]

Three Miles Island seen from Goldsboro, Pennsylvania

Helen and Charles Hocker(***)s daughter Patty died of cancer in 1986 and they are certain radiation from Three Mile Island was to blame

Mary Osborn, left, says the effects of the radiation can still be felt and seen

Mary has collected mutated plants from the area, including an abnormally large maple leaf and a two-headed calf

Independent botanists have confirmed the plants were affected by radiation

With the latest nuclear meltdown crisis in Japan, many think the new push for nuclear power in the US could suffer a setback