BBC's take on the recent UNSCEAR announcement

["Franta, Jaroslav" <frantaj@aecl.ca>]

The BBC's take on the recent UNSCEAR announcement :

http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/world/europe/newsid_789000/789822.stm
Tuesday, 13 June, 2000, 22:44 GMT 23:44 UK 
Chernobyl 'not so deadly'
The Chernobyl nuclear disaster had less impact on public health than was
initially feared, according to UN data cited by the International Atomic
Energy Agency (IAEA). 
About 1,800 children did develop thyroid cancer, a treatable disease which
is rarely fatal, and more cases are expected, an IAEA statement said on
Tuesday. 
"However, with this exception, there is no scientific evidence of increases
in overall cancer incidence or mortality or in non-malignant disorders that
could be related to radiation exposure," it said. 
Thirty-one people died from radiation poisoning in the explosion and its
immediate aftermath. 
Radiation exposure 
Health experts feared that thousands living nearby would develop cancers as
a result of the high levels of radiation emitted. 
But a report by the UN's committee on the effects of atomic radiation
(Unscear) "concludes that there is no evidence of a major public health
impact attributable to radiation exposure 14 years after the accident," the
Vienna-based IAEA said. 
It is thought the thyroid cancers were caused by radioactive iodine - one of
the most serious sources of radiation in the fallout. 
Iodine, which is found in certain foods and milk, collects in the thyroid
gland. 
The children, who drank more milk and had smaller thyroid glands, received a
radioactive dose about three times higher than adults. 
Disputed figures 
The precise impact of the Chernobyl disaster has always been disputed.
According to a group representing those who worked in the relief operations
following the explosion about 15,000 people were killed. 
Ukraine's own health ministry has estimated that 3.5 million people, over a
third of them children, have suffered some illness as a result of the
contamination. 
Levels of radioactivity remain unexpectedly high in some parts of northern
Europe, according to one recent report. 
It said restrictions on some foods would have to remain in place for up to
50 years. 
The nuclear power plant, after further minor leaks and safety worries, is
due to close at the end of the year. 
<><><><><><><><><><>

Tuesday last week I sent the following message to BBC :

> From: 	Franta, Jaroslav
> Sent: 	Tuesday June 06, 2000 10:20 PM
> To: 	'BBC News On Line'
> Subject: 	your article, "Chernobyl to close" 
> Importance: 	High
> 
> 
> Sir, Madam,
> 
> In your Tuesday, 6 June, 2000, 05:45 GMT 06:45 UK website posted article,
> "Chernobyl to close" ( at URL
> http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/world/europe/newsid_778000/778408.stm ),
> you state that,
> "The blast killed 31 people outright and has been held responsible for
> thousands of deaths since then."
> 
> But in actual fact the truth is different from what you tell BBC readers.
> For your information, the following letter (appended below) was sent
> recently by Lars-Erik Holm, Chairman of the United Nations Scientific
> Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation (UNSCEAR), in regards to the
> issue of casualties resulting from the Chernobyl accident. Please note
> that thyroid cancer is very much a curable type of cancer, with few if any
> fatalities resulting.
> 
> Sincerely,
> 
> Jaro Franta, P.Eng.
> 
> Disclaimer: the opinions expressed in this communication reflect only
> those of the author and do not represent those of his employer, AECL, or
> anyone else.
> 
> AECL Design & Engineering Services
> J.L. Gray Engineering Centre
> Deep River, Ontario, K0J 1P0
> e-mail: frantaj@aecl.ca
> day tel.: (613) 584-3311 ext. 5133
> Montreal residence tel. : (514) 363-9717
> 
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