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 »
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 »
Hanford Thyroid-Related Health Effects: More Bad News
I got some bad news yesterday. My parathyroids seem to be failing. Removing My Thyroid I had my damaged thyroid surgically removed in 2009, after precancerous Hurthle cells were found in a biopsy of a thyroid nodule. My father died of aggressive thyroid cancer, and I was exposed to significant levels of radioactive iodine in… Read More »
Fukushima – Living Alone in the Contamination Zoo
I found this story, translated beautifully and reported by VICE Japan , referenced in Mother Jones: The Most Radioactive Man on Earth Has the Kindest Heart . It’s been just over two years since the earthquake and tsunami that caused catastrophic failure in the Fukushima Daiichi power plant, releasing high levels of radiation onto surrounding… Read More »
Richland: The Joys of Childhood Downwind
My parents made me stay behind the glass of the front window, watching forlornly while my friends joyfully rode their trikes and bikes in the massive, magnificent, billowing clouds of DDT sprayed monthly out of the back of the Benton County Mosquito Abatement District truck. DDT was Safer As it turned out, the DDT fogbank… Read More »