[ RadSafe ] FW: [abolition-caucus] Supposedly "Independent" French Commission Claims Radiation risks from Fukushima to Europe are no longer negligible

Wed Apr 13 04:07:26 CDT 2011

I rather think that this is pure alarmism and hysteria – but the anti-nukes are already making hay off of it –

Roger

From: abolition-caucus at yahoogroups.com [mailto:abolition-caucus at yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Sukla Sen
Sent: Tuesday, April 12, 2011 11:06 PM
To: Bill Smirnow; abolition-caucus
Subject: Re: [abolition-caucus] Radiation risks from Fukushima no longer negligible

This clearly shows up that nuclear power cannot be treated as exclusive concerns of individual nation-states. It's a global concern. 

Needs be tackled globally. If needs be, overriding the issues of "national sovereignty".

Sukla

On 13 April 2011 11:31, Bill Smirnow <smirnowb at ix.netcom.com> wrote:

-----Forwarded Message----- 
From: Lorna Salzman 
Sent: Apr 12, 2011 6:58 PM 
To: Lorna Salzman 
Subject: [IPSEC1] Radiation risks from Fukushima no longer negligible 

Radiation risks from Fukushima 'no longer negligible' 

Independent French radiation commission warns Europe that health risk from Fukushima fallout is “no longer negligible” — Says US west coast has 8-10 times more contamination

Published: 11 April 2011
http://www.euractiv.com/en/health/radiation-risks-fukushima-longer-negligible-news-503947 

The risks associated with iodine-131 contamination in Europe are no longer "negligible," according to CRIIRAD, a French research body on radioactivity. The NGO is advising pregnant women and infants against "risky behaviour," such as consuming fresh milk or vegetables with large leaves.

Background

After the radioactive cloud emanating from Japan's stricken Fukushima nuclear power plant reached Europe in late March, CRIIRAD <http://www.criirad.org/> , a French research body on radioactivity, an NGO, said it had detected <http://94.23.16.204/criirad_telechargement_pdf/eau_de_pluie_iode_131.pdf>  radioactive iodine-131 in rainwater in south-eastern France.

In parallel testing, the French Institute for Radiological Protection and Nuclear Safety (IRSN), the national public institution monitoring nuclear and radiological risks, found iodine 131 in milk. 

In normal times, no trace of iodine-131 should be detectable in rainwater or milk.

The Euratom Directive <http://ec.europa.eu/energy/nuclear/radioprotection/doc/legislation/9629_en.pdf>  of 13 May 1996 establishes the general principles and safety standards on radiation protection in Europe.

More on this topic

News:France detects radioactive iodine in rainwater, milk <http://www.euractiv.com/en/cap/france-detects-radioactive-iodine-rainwater-milk-news-503756> 

News:EU checks imports amid Japan food safety fears <http://www.euractiv.com/en/food/eu-checks-imports-amid-japan-food-safety-fears-news-503708> 

In response to thousands of inquiries from citizens concerned about fallout from the Fukushima nuclear disaster in Europe, CRIIRAD has compiled an information package on the risks of radioactive iodine-131 contamination in Europe.

The document, <http://www.criirad.org/actualites/dossier2011/japon/risques_en_france_v5.pdf>  published on 7 April, advises against consuming rainwater and says vulnerable groups such as children and pregnant or breastfeeding women should avoid consuming vegetables with large leaves, fresh milk and creamy cheese.

The risks related to prolonged contamination among vulnerable groups of the population can no longer be considered "negligible" and it is now necessary to avoid "risky behaviour," CRIIRAD claimed. 

However, the institute underlines that there is absolutely no need to lock oneself indoors or take iodine tablets.

CRIIRAD says its information note is not limited to the situation in France and is applicable to other European countries, as the level of air contamination is currently the same <http://www.irsn.fr/FR/popup/Pages/irsn-meteo-france_Film-Global_8avril.aspx>  in Belgium, Germany, Italy and Switzerland, for instance.

Data for the west coast of the United States, which received the Fukushima radioactive fallout 6-10 days before France, reveals that levels of radioactive iodine-131 concentration are 8-10 times higher there, the institute says.

Rain water and tap water

According to CRIIRAD, a huge proportion of the inquiries it has received concern the risks associated with rainwater and drinking tap water.

The institute stresses that there is no risk whatsoever, even for children, of standing in the rain without protection. But consumption of rainwater as a primary source of drinking water should be avoided, particularly among children, it said.

As for tap water, underground catchments or large rivers should not present any problem. But the institute suggests that the situation of water from reservoirs that collect rainwater from one or more watersheds, such as hillside lakes, should be examined more closely.

As for watering one's garden with collected rainwater, CRIIRAD advises watering only the earth and not the leaves of vegetables, as absorption is faster and more significant on leaf surfaces than through roots.

Food chain

Spinach, salads, cabbage and other vegetables with large surface areas are among those food products that are particularly sensitive to iodine-131 contamination, if they are cultivated outside and exposed to rainwater. Washing vegetables does not help, as iodine-131 is quickly metabolised by the plants, CRIIRAD notes.

Fresh milk and creamy cheeses, as well as meat from cattle that have been outside eating grass, are categorised as foods that may have been indirectly contaminated and must also be monitored. Contamination of milk and cheese from goats and sheep may be of a greater magnitude than that of produce from cows.

Level of a risky dose

The Euratom Directive <http://ec.europa.eu/energy/nuclear/radioprotection/doc/legislation/9629_en.pdf>  of 13 May 1996 establishes general principles and safety standards on radiation protection in Europe.

According to the directive, the impact of nuclear activity can be considered negligible if doses of radiation do not exceed ten micro sieverts (mSv) per year. Beyond this value, possible measures should be considered to reduce exposure, it says.

While radioactive iodine-131 is mostly present in the air in the form of gas, CRIIRAD notes that in the case of the Fukushima fallout, the main issue is to limit ingestion of iodine-131.

CRIIRAD notes that the amount of iodine-131 capable of delivering a dose <http://www.criirad.org/actualites/dossier2011/japon/iode_131_dose_ingestion.pdf>  of 10 mSv varies greatly depending on the age of consumers. Children up to two years old are the most vulnerable and ingestion of 50 becquerel (Bq) is enough to deliver to the body a dose of 10 mSv, according to the institute.

If the foods (leafy vegetables, milk etc.) contain between one and 10 Bq per kg or more, it is possible that the reference level of 10 mSv may be exceeded within two to three weeks, the institute added.  

Radioactive iodine-131 values <http://www.irsn.fr/FR/Actualites_presse/Actualites/Pages/201103_situation_en_france.aspx#1>  measured by the French Institute for Radiological Protection and Nuclear Safety (IRSN) in recent days show the following, varying levels of contamination: 0,08 Bq/kg in salad, spinach and leeks in Aix-en-Provence, 0,17 Bq per litre in milk in Lourdes and 2,1 Bq per litre in goats milk in Clansayes.

Contamination to continue over coming weeks

CRIIRAD notes that "huge amounts of radioactive material have been released by the Fukushima Daiichi plant since Saturday 12 March 2011. On Tuesday 5 April, 24 days after the accident, the releases continue. This means that the contaminated airborne masses in Europe will last just as long, with a delay linked to the movement of radioactive aerosol gases over some 15,000 km."

It also cited a technical report from the operating company (TEPCO) and the Japanese nuclear safety authorities (NISA) which "fear releases over several more days, even weeks".

If more fires are reported or if the operators are forced to release more steam in order to prevent hydrogen explosions, new massive waste releases will occur, the institute warned.

Links

EU official documents 

*	Council Directive laying down basic safety standards for the protection of the health of workers and the general public against the dangers arising from ionizing radiation <http://ec.europa.eu/energy/nuclear/radioprotection/doc/legislation/9629_en.pdf>  (13 May 1996) [FR] <http://ec.europa.eu/energy/nuclear/radioprotection/doc/legislation/9629_fr.pdf>  

Governments 

*	French Institute for Radiological Protection and Nuclear Safety (IRSN): Conséquences en France de l'accident nucléaire au Japon <http://www.irsn.fr/FR/Actualites_presse/Actualites/Pages/201103_situation_en_france.aspx#1>  
*	French Institute for Radiological Protection and Nuclear Safety (IRSN): Modélisation de la dispersion des rejets radioactifs dans l’atmosphère à l’échelle globale - 8 avril 2011  <http://www.irsn.fr/FR/popup/Pages/irsn-meteo-france_Film-Global_8avril.aspx> 

NGOs and Think-Tanks 

*	CRIIRAD: Doses reçues par INGESTION d'iode 131 <http://www.criirad.org/actualites/dossier2011/japon/iode_131_dose_ingestion.pdf>  (7 Avril 2011) [EN - Ingestion of 131 iodine : Bq and doses] <http://www.criirad.org/actualites/dossier2011/japon/en_anglais/iode_131_ingestion_En.pdf>  
*	CRIIRAD: Accidents nucléaires au Japon : dossier spécial <http://www.criirad.org/actualites/dossier2011/japon/sommaire.html>  
*	CRIIRAD: Contamination de la France par les rejets de la centrale de Fukushima Daiichi QUELS SONT LES RISQUES ? <http://www.criirad.org/actualites/dossier2011/japon/risques_en_france.pdf>  (7 Avril 2011) (corrected version) <http://www.criirad.org/actualites/dossier2011/japon/risques_en_france_v5.pdf>  [EN - risk in France (and Europe)] <http://www.criirad.org/actualites/dossier2011/japon/risks_in_France_v4.pdf>  

Press articles 

*	EurActiv Slovakia: Riziko radiácie v Európe „nie je zanedbateľné“ <http://www.euractiv.sk/zdravotnictvo/clanok/riziko-radiacie-v-europe-nie-je-zanedbatelne-016924>  