Japan Earthquake

Japan Earthquake | Page 1717

@LM @Bobby1 @Elaine Kirk : it is a very wide theme. i'll try to explain. there are two major effects of radiation. the low level or stochastic effect is cancer. high level leads to acute or deterministic damages. there is in any wayan impact to immunosytem because the body tries to repare the damage.
by Edano 6/21/2011 10:09:06 PM

@LM I think it would depend on how it interacts with the body if you inhale or ingest. If it sets off the cells that act up when your having an allergic reaction or antibodies? I have never looked at any research that tracked those responses in the body so wouldn't know offhand.
by lillymunster 6/21/2011 10:09:14 PM

Too.....
by LM 6/21/2011 10:09:14 PM

high level effects (over 500 Sv) are: flush, loss of hair, burns, anemaia, heart-lung- diseases, cataracts, nausea and lots of more.
by Edano 6/21/2011 10:10:54 PM

I would imagine that those with compromised immune systems would be far more susceptible to lower levels as they have a harder time fighting the 'intruder'.
by LM 6/21/2011 10:11:44 PM

low level effects lead to cancer, but only after a period of time. therefore it is hard to prove the effects due to radiation.
by Edano 6/21/2011 10:12:01 PM

@LM : yes, definitely. the body's repair ability is too low.
by Edano 6/21/2011 10:12:52 PM

the nosebleeds in japanese children are probably not due to radiation, because it would be a deteerministic effect (over 500 mSv). deterministic effects are direct radiation damages.
by Edano 6/21/2011 10:14:12 PM

@LM My immune system is screwed up with spondylitis, I have been dealing with odd symptoms for 2 months now. For a while, when my son's cat got sick and died, I though I might have been a goner. I don't need no scientists to tell me it's radiation or not. Having said that, this disease is characterized by extreme environmental sensitivity.
by Bobby1 6/21/2011 10:14:40 PM

My last post explains why tiny amounts of radioactive particles are not detected by radiaton monitors in NPP's. This would be the cause of leukemia indexes coincidental with refueling registered in german children around NPP's.
by estacion 6/21/2011 10:15:41 PM

Bobby1 I honestly believe that more emphasis needs to be placed on environmental causes of illness. The problem is most studies ended up being funded by big business or the government and when desired results are not seen...the money is yanked or never given in the first place. Greed is so pervasive.
by LM 6/21/2011 10:18:03 PM

@LM I'm trying to finish a fibromyalgia paper that strongly suggests the symptoms are caused by toxic metals in the atmosphere.
by Bobby1 6/21/2011 10:20:54 PM

i suffer from lupus since 1998 (maybe earlier) and i suspected chernobyl a cause for it, but there is also a very strong genetic component. probably my mom has passed it to me genetically without getting sick herself.
by Edano 6/21/2011 10:21:21 PM

@Bobby1 I wouldn't be surprised by that. Environmental contamination is playing a big role in our lives.
by LM 6/21/2011 10:22:24 PM

@Edano I am certain that my condition was caused by fetal exposure to the radiation of 1950s bomb tests. My mother died of leukemia.
by Bobby1 6/21/2011 10:24:20 PM

@Edano , I read the daserste post. Strange is that C-14 is not on the list of reactor-emitted radionuclides. Check on page 117 of this IAEA playbook: www.iaea.org . This a handy document for reactor accidents. It provides equations for radioactivity-dose conversions and such.
by Peter Melzer 6/21/2011 10:24:30 PM

@edano I firmly believe there are diseases that tend to be genetic that are either exacerbated or triggered by environmental agents...perhaps a perfect storm.
by LM 6/21/2011 10:24:37 PM

Municipal heads go anti-nuclear
Municipal heads and reconstruction experts are discussing ways to reduce the use of nuclear power after the accident at the Fukushima Daiichi plant.

Japan has 54 reactors, which accounted for 29 percent of the country's electricity generation in 2009. Thirty-five, or about two-thirds of them, have suspended operations because of the March 11th disaster, regular inspections or government requests.

On June 15th, a panel of experts in Fukushima Prefecture agreed on a draft of basic concepts for reconstruction that includes the idea of abandoning nuclear power and promoting renewable energy.

The head of a town in Yamaguchi Prefecture, where the Chugoku Electric Power Company aims to operate a nuclear plant in 7 years, indicated the possibility of reviewing the town's nuclear-tolerant stance.

Kaminoseki Mayor Shigemi Kashiwabara told the municipal assembly on Tuesday that the town needs to consider breaking free from nuclear power. www3.nhk.or.jp
by LM 6/21/2011 10:26:43 PM

@Bobby1 : the so called "background radiation", this is my conviction, is one of the big causes of cancer. and every bomb, every nuclear disaster, and every "waste accident" will increase the "background radiation" worldwide. these are isotopes of extreme half lives and if we don't finish this madness, we will kill our race.
by Edano 6/21/2011 10:27:32 PM

@Peter Melzer : c-14 from npps: docs.google.com
www.iaea.org
by Edano 6/21/2011 10:30:14 PM

@Edano "Just dilute it" they say. Which means spread it evenly across all air, water and food to everyone in the globe. Like that is supposed to be a solution.
by Bobby1 6/21/2011 10:31:57 PM

@Bobby1 exactly. this is my big fear. dilute it, spread it worlwide. but diluting does not make it less dangerous !
by Edano 6/21/2011 10:33:04 PM

@Edano Diluting means spread it in low-level amounts so only high-risk groups like infants and children get sick from it. But they don't vote so who cares.
by Bobby1 6/21/2011 10:36:36 PM

@Peter Melzer so, the c14 dating will not work for ourselves anymore, if they examine our bones in 3000 years :)
by Edano 6/21/2011 10:36:41 PM

5.0 earthquake off Fuku coast 107 min ago. quakes.globalincidentmap.com
by LM 6/21/2011 10:53:45 PM

Random thought off of something I read on an eco blog. Would honey bees be impacted by the lower levels of radiation being found in the areas of Japan that are less impacted? Would their honey end up radioactive?
by lillymunster 6/21/2011 10:54:14 PM

@lillymunster I would say yes they collect the pollen which is exposed .....
by Elaine Kirk 6/21/2011 11:00:35 PM

@Elaine Kirk That was part of the worry would be pollen dust mixed with radioactive dust. So honey production could possibly be at risk also.
by lillymunster 6/21/2011 11:02:24 PM

City in Saitama Prefecture sets independent maximum radiation dose for children
KAWAGUCHI, Saitama -- The city government here has set the maximum radiation dose for children at 1.64 millisieverts per year, making it the first local government in Japan to implement its own radiation exposure standard.

The tentative figure announced on June 20 is based on the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP)'s 1 millisievert recommended maximum exposure to man-made radiation sources, plus Japan's average background radiation dose of 0.34 millisieverts and the average 0.3 millisieverts of annual exposure to cosmic radiation.

According to the Kawaguchi city government, the new annual exposure limit breaks down to a maximum hourly dose of 0.31 microsieverts, assuming a child spent eight hours a day outside. Officials will take radiation measurements at 10 sites in the city once a week, starting in mid-July. If they find radiation levels at a site have exceeded the new municipal maximum, the city will restrict outdoor activities at surrounding nursery schools, kindergartens, primary and junior high schools to three hours a day.

The Kawaguchi city government has already taken radiation measurements twice at the 10 sites, recording a top hourly dose of 0.16 microsieverts.

The new maximum dosage was set after the city received inquires from worried parents and guardians, asking what they should do about their children should radiation exposure rise.

Asked if the city's move wouldn't spark confusion in other local governments, Kawaguchi Mayor Koshiro Okamura replied, "We shouldn't all have different regulations. The central government really needs to set a national radiation dose standard."
mdn.mainichi.jp
by estacion 6/21/2011 11:04:27 PM

I did a quick back of the envelope statistical calculation on that Pacific cities death data. I didn't find a significant increase in infant deaths over 2010, controlling for the time period prior and post March 15. I did find a marginally significant increase in total deaths, though. However, I did not allow for population growth in 2011 versus 2010.
by Bobby1 6/21/2011 11:09:06 PM

FDA to Step Up Inspections of Imported Products
Agency cites big increase in drugs, foods produced abroad
Posted: June 20, 2011
health.usnews.com A good sign..maybe?!
by LM 6/21/2011 11:15:24 PM

Hmm without making this a project, it does seem that deaths increased in Pacific states at least for ages 65 and over, maybe other age groups also.
by Bobby1 6/21/2011 11:20:55 PM

@Bobby1 : look for leukemia if possible.
by Edano 6/21/2011 11:21:46 PM

@Edano , that already won't work anymore for plants and animals living next to the autobahn.
by Peter Melzer 6/21/2011 11:25:13 PM

After be in hell I'm returning like the Fenix. Strong and hopeful. The surgery is over and now is time to physiotherapy to get fit again. Tanks for all the love my friends. Now back in business. Evolving Coverage of Missouri River Flood at Fort Calhoun Nuclear Power Plant .Fort Calhoun nuclear plant new Fukushima? youtu.be
by Majj 6/21/2011 11:31:59 PM

Municipal heads go anti-nuclear

Municipal heads and reconstruction experts are discussing ways to reduce the use of nuclear power after the accident at the Fukushima Daiichi plant.

Japan has 54 reactors, which accounted for 29 percent of the country's electricity generation in 2009. Thirty-five, or about two-thirds of them, have suspended operations because of the March 11th disaster, regular inspections or government requests.

On June 15th, a panel of experts in Fukushima Prefecture agreed on a draft of basic concepts for reconstruction that includes the idea of abandoning nuclear power and promoting renewable energy.

The head of a town in Yamaguchi Prefecture, where the Chugoku Electric Power Company aims to operate a nuclear plant in 7 years, indicated the possibility of reviewing the town's nuclear-tolerant stance.

Kaminoseki Mayor Shigemi Kashiwabara told the municipal assembly on Tuesday that the town needs to consider breaking free from nuclear power.

The mayor of Osaka City, Kunio Hiramatsu, has suggested that Kansai Electric Power Company should pursue new energy sources to replace nuclear power.

Goshi Hosono, the prime minister's advisor for the Fukushima accident, said it is natural for municipal heads and others to voice their objections to nuclear power amid the disaster at the Fukushima plant.
He added that to protect people's lives, the government will operate functional nuclear reactors while ensuring the maximum level of safety.

Wednesday, June 22, 2011 06:10 +0900 (JST)
www3.nhk.or.jp
by Edano 6/21/2011 11:34:22 PM

Germany,Switzerland urge tough nuclear regulations

Government representatives of Germany and Switzerland have called for tougher safety regulations to prevent nuclear power plant accidents. Both governments have already decided to give up nuclear energy.

The 2 officials delivered speeches on the second day of the ministerial meeting of International Atomic Energy Agency member countries in Vienna on Tuesday.

Germany has decided to close all its 17 nuclear plants by 2022. The German representative said her country is phasing out nuclear energy. She said Germany will share all of its experience in order to realize its key objectives of preventing any further nuclear accidents with severe consequences.

Switzerland plans to abandon all of its 5 domestic reactors by 2034. The Swiss official said his government will promote energy savings and expand the use of renewable energy sources.

During the ministerial meeting, many emerging and developing nations and other IAEA members have indicated their policies to continue promoting nuclear power generation, while expressing concern over the accident at the Japan's Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant.

Germany and Switzerland are calling on member nations to strengthen nuclear safety regulations, saying that once an accident occurs radioactive contamination will spread across international borders.

Tuesday, June 21, 2011 22:23 +0900 (JST)
www3.nhk.or.jp
by Edano 6/21/2011 11:37:37 PM

back for a bit...
by dean 6/21/2011 11:37:38 PM

@Edano That site doesn't have leukemia, and besides you would probably have to wait for some time for all the leukemia to show up. Deaths for age 65+ dropped after Fuku, but you expect that the death rates drop when the weather warms up. They didn't drop as fast as they did in 2010. Neither Mangano or the SA response considered this.
by Bobby1 6/21/2011 11:38:04 PM

@Edano , I read the Swiss study. Interesting. However, this hardly explains the findings around the AKW in Bavaria. The npps that contributed most to the global C-14 inventory in this study were plants in the former USSR that use graphite for moderation. They contributed 33-times as much as PWRs and BWRs.
by Peter Melzer 6/21/2011 11:40:04 PM

IAEA ministers agree on emergency reactor checks

Member states of the International Atomic Energy Agency have agreed on the need for emergency inspections of nuclear reactors around the world.

The agreement came on Tuesday, the second day of the IAEA's ministerial meeting in Vienna. A working session was held to discuss nuclear safety based on the lessons from the accident at the Fukushima Daiichi power plant.

Some delegates said it is not appropriate to study universal safety measures based on the Fukushima disaster. They said the accident was a special case, as the plant was hit by tsunami more than double the predicted height.

Other delegates voiced the need for stricter safety procedures to prevent nuclear plants from completely losing their backup power sources.

The chairman of the working session, Michael Weightman, expressed hope that the delegates will use the lessons from the Fukushima accident to draw up an action plan to bolster nuclear safety on Friday, the final day of the conference.

However, rifts are emerging between the nuclear and non-nuclear countries on how to strengthen safety. Attention is focused on whether IAEA member nations will be able to overcome their differences and come up with specific measures.

Wednesday, June 22, 2011 06:10 +0900 (JST)
www3.nhk.or.jp
by Edano 6/21/2011 11:40:06 PM

they will not come away with that this time.
by Edano 6/21/2011 11:40:26 PM

www.naturalelixir.com article on why japanese women and men live so long. I wonder how that will change with the high levels of contamination
by dean 6/21/2011 11:42:44 PM

Are Babies Dying in the Pacific Northwest Due to Fukushima? A Look at the Numbers. A recent article on the Al Jazeera English web site cites a disturbing statistic: infant mortality in certain U.S. Northwest cities spiked by 35 percent in the weeks following the disaster at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant. The author writes that "physician Janette Sherman MD and epidemiologist Joseph Mangano published an essay shedding light on a 35 per cent spike in infant mortality in northwest cities that occurred after the Fukushima meltdown, and [sic] may well be the result of fallout from the stricken nuclear plant.” The implication is clear: Radioactive fallout from the plant is spreading across the Pacific in sufficient quantities to imperil the lives of children (and presumably the rest of us as well). www.scientificamerican.com
by Majj 6/21/2011 11:50:14 PM