for a portion of Tamura, about 12 miles from the Fukushima nuclear plant. This allows about several hundred residents to return home. Fukushima Contamination Zones Repopulated Too Soon Government officials plan
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On “Radiation Makes People Invisible” Part Two
Bo Jacobs eloquently described Downwinders’ feeling of invisibility in his recent three-part essay “Radiation Makes People Invisible.” I wrote a few reactions last week; here are more. You must read Dr. Jacob’s essay. On Discrimination Bo points out that people exposed to radiation, when relocated due to contamination of their home town, often experience discrimination… Read More »
On “Radiation Makes People Invisible” Part One
Living a Nightmare Being a radiation-exposed person is a nightmare from which I cannot wake up. But people like Dr. Bo Jacobs make me feel less alone. I feel so fortunate to know him, and to read his work. His recent three-part essay “Radiation Makes People Invisible” is marvelous. He gets it. You must read… Read More »
Where the Fukushima Nuclear Disaster’s Victims are Three Years Later
The Fukushima Daiichi nuclear reactor meltdowns occurred three years ago on March 11, 2011, following a catastrophic earthquake and tsunami, and for several days thereafter. It was the world’s largest nuclear accident since the 1986 Chernobyl disaster. And after three years, significant discharge of radiation continues to be released into the environment. Fukushima Evacuees Some… Read More »
Fukushima’s Forgotten Clean-Up Workers
Want to know how the poor souls who worked (and continue to work) at Fukushima are faring? Read this thoroughly researched piece by veteran reporters Justin McCurry and David McNeill. I’ve just read the reprint and am still reeling. Here are the key points: Radiation Doses Underestimated In October of 2013, UN experts said that… Read More »
Fukushima Mistakes—It Can’t Happen Again
I keep thinking about Fukushima and the new report in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives on what countries should do to help exposed populations after a nuclear disaster. I wish this report had been in the hands of officials entrusted with the safety of Fukushima Downwinders! Of course I am here in the US and can’t know… Read More »
Nuclear Reactor Emergency! What Now?
Fukushima taught us important lessons—will we learn? I just read a new, well-researched report[1] from the Environmental Health Prospectives that provides guidelines for the key steps authorities must take as soon as possible after a nuclear reactor accident releases radiation downwind. Everyone should know these things! 1. Create an Exposure Roster: Make a complete list of everyone… Read More »
In Praise of Coldwater Creek Downwinders
A short time ago, I became aware of a rather remarkable group of former and current residents of North St. Louis Country who began to notice high incidence of cancer and other disease in a relatively young population. Their only commonality was place of residence, near Coldwater Creek. A Radioactive River This determined group learned that… Read More »
Saying Goodbye to the CREHST Museum
I visited the CREHST (Columbia River Exhibition of History, Science and Technology) Museum in Richland, WA just before its closure at end of January. I was distressed to learn that the new museum, the Hanford Reach Interpretive Center, which will open in July 2014, will include only the early Manhattan Project period in its displays.… Read More »
The Fukushima – Hanford Link
As the story of Fukushima unfolds, we hear the heartbreaking testimonials of anguished parents who were not told of the invisible clouds of airborne radiation that blanketed their communities in the aftermath of reactor meltdown initiated by damage done by the devastating earthquake of March 11, 2011. This is very much a repeat of the… Read More »