[ RadSafe ] The chemical side of the Japanese earthquake/tsunami

[Doug Aitken]

Mike:
Many thanks for posting this (for easy access: http://tinyurl.com/6bdbzz4 ).

While we, and in particular certain people, have focused on the Fukushima
nuclear plant problems and the potential impact of them, we should not
forget the bigger picture. Possibly the long-term impact of the widespread
chemical pollution will be greater than that of the radiation releases.

And, unlike the previous nuclear incident in Chernobyl, the range of
confounders to any epidemiological studies is obviously much greater. Not
that will have the slightest impact on certain persons who focus only on the
impact (real or imagined) of low level doses of radiation.

Regards
Doug

Doug Aitken
QHSE Advisor, Schlumberger D&M Operations Support
Cell Phone: 713-562-8585
(alternate e-mail: doug.aitken at slb.com )
Mail: c/o Therese Wigzell,
Schlumberger,
Drilling & Measurements HQ,
300 Schlumberger Drive, MD15,
Sugar Land, Texas 77478



-----Original Message-----
From: radsafe-bounces at health.phys.iit.edu
[mailto:radsafe-bounces at health.phys.iit.edu] On Behalf Of Brennan, Mike
(DOH)
Sent: Friday, July 01, 2011 12:49 PM
To: The International Radiation Protection (Health Physics) Mailing List
Subject: [ RadSafe ] The chemical side of the Japanese earthquake/tsunami

Here is a fairly general article talking about the problems on the
chem./hazmat side.  Long and short of it: no possible way of knowing what is
in the mix of debris and sludge in any given area; testing to the level
required in normal circumstances is not practical; not enough PPE and safety
training, especially for volunteers.