Gaston Floss, president of French Polynesia, plans to destroy the sacred monument to the victims of French nuclear tests known as the “Place du 2 juliet 1966” (located in Papeete, the capital of Tahiti). Why? To support former French President Jacques Chirac (and, I believe, to erase the memory of the human toll of these tests). Chirac… Read More »
Radiation Exposure Essays
ANOTHER HANFORD HEALTH WORRY
I’m heading to Sacramento, CA, for the annual conference of the Hypoparathyroidism Association . “HypoPara,” as the condition is also known, is an uncommon disease, listed in the database of the National Organization of Rare Diseases (NORD ). Hypoparathyroidism can be inherited or, more commonly, can arise as a post-operative complication of thyroidectomy. That’s… Read More »
Atomic Bomb Detonated in New Mexico!
Can you imagine the outrage and fear if this headline were to appear today? The headline never ran—but the bombing was very real. The Bombing Happened. We Did It. Most people do not know that the first nuclear bomb exploded right here in the United States. That bomb, a US test, blasted huge about 35… Read More »
Fukushima Evacuees Need Another Option!
The Japanese government has lifted the evacuation order 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
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 »