24 March
2011
From: Stephen M. Apatow
Founder, Director of Research & Development
Humanitarian Resource Institute
Humanitarian University Consortium Graduate Studies
Center for Medicine, Veterinary Medicine & Law
Phone: 203-668-0282
Email: s.m.apatow@humanitarian.net
Internet: www.humanitarian.net
Subject: OIE/FAO/WHO: Japan High Radiation Levels in Seawater - Global
Ocean
Circulation
Dear Colleagues:
A testing team dispatched by the United Nations'
International
Atomic Energy Association Monday reported radiation levels 1,600 times
above normal 12 miles from the Fukushima plant. -- Japan says high seawater
radiation
levels are no cause for alarm, CSM, 22 March 2011. [1]
It was with great alarm that I read this article that include
references
to high radiation levels in seawater that has circulated
through
non-contained nuclear materials at the Fukushima plant.
In conjunction with surveillance, containment and control
measures
in the region directly impacted by the earthquake, tsunami and
radiological
emergency, impact analysis must now include global ocean circulation,
impact
on wildlife, human and animal health.
Though experts in Japan have stated that contamination of seawater was
not a problem following the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, I
don't believe we have a historical reference point for a nuclear power
plant with (1) direct environmental exposure of the core and associated
hazardous materials and (2) the use of seawater for cooling of the
reactors/plant, with recirculation back into the environment without
containment of this nuclear contaminated hazardous material.
Global atmospheric radiological contamination combined with global
ocean circulation of contaminated seawater, further
complicates/intensifies the immediate need for containment via
collaboration of the international community. As noted on the EPA's Radiation Heath Effects
web
site "There is no firm basis for setting a "safe"
level of exposure above background for stochastic effects." [2]
Looking forward to your feedback.
References:
1. Japan says high seawater radiation levels are no cause for alarm,
CSM, 22 March 2011. Url:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/csm/20110322/wl_csm/371407
2. Health Effects: Radiation Protection: U.S. EPA Url:
http://www.epa.gov/radiation/understand/health_effects.html
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