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 »
Health Impacts of Radiation
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 »
Tortured Science: Health Studies, Ethics and Nuclear Weapons in the United States Excerpt #14
I was honored to be asked to contribute a chapter to the collected works within Tortured Science: Health Studies, Ethics and Nuclear Weapons in the United States, compiled and edited by Dianne Quigley, Amy Lowman, and Steve Wing, published 2012 by Baywood Publishing Company, Inc, Amityville, New York. I am very grateful that Baywood has… Read More »
Tortured Science: Health Studies, Ethics and Nuclear Weapons in the United States Excerpt #13
I was honored to be asked to contribute a chapter to the collected works within Tortured Science: Health Studies, Ethics and Nuclear Weapons in the United States, compiled and edited by Dianne Quigley, Amy Lowman, and Steve Wing, published 2012 by Baywood Publishing Company, Inc, Amityville, New York. I am very grateful that Baywood has… Read More »
Tortured Science: Health Studies, Ethics and Nuclear Weapons in the United States Excerpt #12
I was honored to be asked to contribute a chapter to the collected works within Tortured Science: Health Studies, Ethics and Nuclear Weapons in the United States, compiled and edited by Dianne Quigley, Amy Lowman, and Steve Wing, published 2012 by Baywood Publishing Company, Inc, Amityville, New York. I am very grateful that Baywood has… Read More »
Tortured Science: Health Studies, Ethics and Nuclear Weapons in the United States Excerpt #11
I was honored to be asked to contribute a chapter to the collected works within Tortured Science: Health Studies, Ethics and Nuclear Weapons in the United States, compiled and edited by Dianne Quigley, Amy Lowman, and Steve Wing, published 2012 by Baywood Publishing Company, Inc, Amityville, New York. I am very grateful that Baywood has… Read More »