Radiation Nightmare - Taiwan

["Sandy Perle" <sandyfl@EARTHLINK.NET>]

                    Radiation Nightmare - Taiwan

     Radiation contaminated houses have been a problem in Taiwan for 

over eight

years (Actually, it once occurred eighteen years ago – as revealed by 

a well-known 

local newspaper reporter.).  To date, over 15,000 victims have  

identified,  and the 

associated death rate is increasing.   However, radioactive steel 

bars were found  in

only about one-third (7,000-ton) out of a total of 20,000 tons.

     Furthermore, absurdly enough,over 75% to 85% of those victimized 

residences 

still live in the contaminated houses! Unknown to the whole world, 

excepting Taiwan,

the already widely spread low-dose radiation exposure to residents is 

increasing.

     It is clearly understood and warned about in medical reports  

that  long-term 

radiation exposure is damaging to one’s health.  We must be aware of 

this  problem.

     The contaminated house problem cannot  be resolved because: 1) 

Government 

officials’  negligent  attitude/resolution concerning this problem.   

They are of the 

mind  that  doing  less is better than doing more.  2) For only 

15,000 victims, the 

Taiwan Atomic Energy Council (AEC) could adopt the slogan: “Don’t use 

social

welfare 

resources for such a small number of victims” or ‘Low-dose radiation 

will not damage 

your health.”  What’s more, it said: “Victims always cheat the AEC 

and..” and calls 

them  “Social trouble makers.”    Apparently, radiation victims are 

always a weak,

voiceless group in Taiwan.

     Frankly speaking,  the  source of contaminated steel bars is 

closely connected 

with international nuclear exportation and exchange.

     According  to  on  AEC  official report, the total of radiation 

contaminated 

houses was up to 183-house (of which about 56%, 100-house were in 

Taipei).  The 

number  of contaminated apartments rose 1,555 (of  which 1,000-

apartment, 65% 

were in Taipei).  The  victims count  were  over 15,000-person. Of 

which about 

10,000-person, 67%- lived in Taipei. 

     Over the past eight years, the victims have become a voiceless 

minority, whose 

sufferings have been hidden by the underhanded activity of the AEC.  

This is in line with the present weakness of the anti-nuke movement – 

as radiation victims increase.

     In view of the strong internationalization  of  the  nuclear 

power industry in 

Taiwan, these voiceless radiation victims are at a critical stage.   

We need to link up 

with international anti-nuke groups and to take immediate action in 

order to make our 

voice heard.



Sam HSU (³\«ä©ú), Secretary General, Radiation Safety and Protection 

Association Taiwan

Tel. 001-886-2-2713-6180, Fax. 001-886-2-2719-0366; 

Email:{ HYPERLINK "mailto:a6180@ms3.hinet.net"; }a6180@ms3.hinet.net 

          (Radiation Nightmare 1999-11-29 )





------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sandy Perle					Tel:(714) 545-0100 / (800) 548-5100   				    	

Director, Technical				Extension 2306 				     	

ICN Worldwide Dosimetry Service		Fax:(714) 668-3149 	                   		    

ICN Pharmaceuticals, Inc.			E-Mail: sandyfl@earthlink.net 				                           

ICN Plaza, 3300 Hyland Avenue  		E-Mail: sperle@icnpharm.com          	          

Costa Mesa, CA 92626                    



Personal Website: http://www.geocities.com/scperle

ICN Worldwide Dosimetry Website: http://www.dosimetry.com



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