ScribbleLive

These are Readings at Reading Points out of 20 km Zone of TEPCO Fukushima Dai-ichi NPP] for the 1stt August 2011 at 18:00hrs
www.mext.go.jp

United States of America
Life expectancy at birth (women and men, years) 2005-2010 81.4/76.9
.
Japan
Life expectancy at birth (women and men, years) 2005-2010 86.2/79.0

Hmm I just assumed with national health care it would be covered.

Smoking rates in Japan. They seem to be following the declines seen in the US around the same time. en.wikipedia.org

ikrockhopper itsumi Kakefuda
The quake epicenter last night was close to the Hamaoka plant, which PM Kan stopped after 3.11. Many tweets appreciated his decision.

@Edano I assumed their national health system was similar to the UK or France. Maybe it is different...

Found the basic outline: The health care system in Japan provides healthcare services, including screening examinations, prenatal care and infectious disease control, with the patient accepting responsibility for 30% of these costs while the government pays the remaining 70%. Payment for personal medical services is offered through a universal health care insurance system that provides relative equality of access, with fees set by a government committee. People without insurance through employers can participate in a national health insurance programme administered by local governments. Patients are free to select physicians or facilities of their choice and cannot be denied coverage. Hospitals, by law, must be run as non-profit and be managed by physicians. For-profit corporations are not allowed to own or operate hospitals. Clinics must be owned and operated by physicians. en.wikipedia.org

GENETIC EFFECTS

Radiation exposure to the reproductive cells can alter the genetic code, resulting in damaged or defective genes that can be passed on to future generations. It has been known since 1927 that radiation can cause genetic defects in the descendants of insects. Experiments with other animals have shown similar results. These studies demonstrated that radiation does not increase the types of mutations seen in nature, only the frequency.

Genetic mutations, however, have not been demonstrated in human populations exposed to radiation. For example, studies of the children of the A-bomb survivors in Japan have not detected any more genetic defects than expected. It is very difficult to determine if a person has a particular genetic defect. Usually there are no easily detectable signs and several generations and large populations may be necessary before the mutation becomes visible. Most effects will probably be seen in subsequent generations as minor impairments that lead to higher spontaneous abortions, shorter life spans, increases in diseases, and ill health. Serious genetic defects usually do not manifest themselves because the person does not survive to reproduce.

Based on the irradiation of animals, the following inferences can be made regarding genetic effects in humans:

1. Radiation is a powerful mutagenic agent and any amount of radiation can potentially damage a reproductive cell.

2. The vast majority of genetic mutations are recessive. Both a male and female must possess the same genetic alteration in their chromosomes in order for the mutation to be expressed.

3. Most genetic mutations are harmful and decrease the overall biological fitness of a species.

Because genetic mutations are usually undesirable, the level of genetic defects in the population should be kept as low as possible. This can be accomplished by avoiding any unnecessary radiation exposure.

1. Increased incidences of cancer have been noted among several groups of radiation workers exposed to high doses. Among these were the early radiologists, uranium miners, and radium watch dial painters. The early radiologists were often exposed to large doses of radiation without the benefit of protective devices. Many developed cancerous skin lesions on the hands and suffered from radiation burns. Higher incidences of leukemia were also demonstrated in this group. In the early 1900's, 50% of the uranium miners in some European mines died from lung cancer. Radium-dial painters at the beginning of this century, hand painted the luminous numerals on watches and clocks with a paint containing radium. The workers would put the brush on their lips to draw the bristles to a fine point. Increased incidences of bone cancer and other malignancies were seen in these workers.

6. The strongest evidence for radiation induced carcinogenesis in humans has come from studies of the Japanese A-bomb survivors. These data have suggested that radiation may be a general carcinogenic agent capable of inducing all types of cancers. Increased incidences of leukemia, cancer of the breast, respiratory organs, digestive organs, and urinary organs have been reported. In addition, the data has demonstrated a linear relationship between dose and radiation induced leukemia.
www.radford.edu

on the other hand we know that cancer in the family is always an additional cancer risk.

No-entry decontamination to start next month

Japan's minister in charge of the nuclear crisis says full-scale decontamination measures will begin next month for the 20-kilometer evacuation zone around the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant.

Goshi Hosono made the remark on a commercial TV channel on Monday.

Hosono said the government will begin decontamination on a large scale and continue monitoring radiation levels. He said the government is aiming for a complete cleanup of the evacuation zone.

The minister added that radioactive materials must be removed from the zone so that residents can return home by early next year. January will mark the end of the second stage of a plan to achieve a cold shutdown of the damaged nuclear reactors.

Tuesday, August 02, 2011 06:33 +0900 (JST)
www3.nhk.or.jp

@Edano @Will makes no sense whatsoever

@RadioGuy how did they deceive the tea party ?