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Pennsylvania Physicians Are Prepared to Answer Patient Questions Regarding Potassium Iodide
Index:
Physicians to Answer Patient Questions Regarding Potassium Iodide
Westinghouse Signs 4 New Nuclear Plant Contracts in Korea
Pakistan, China discussing 2nd nuclear power plant
Nagasaki Holds Bombing Anniversary
Films capture lesson of life from nuclear victims
===============================================
Pennsylvania Physicians Are Prepared to Answer Patient Questions
Regarding Potassium Iodide
Pennsylvania Medical Society Commends Department of Health For Public
Safety Effort
HARRISBURG, Pa., Aug. 8 /PRNewswire/ -- Personal physicians are
prepared to help patients with information regarding the potential
benefits and side effects of potassium iodide pills, says the
Pennsylvania Medical Society. The Pennsylvania Department of Health
and the Medical Society have alerted Commonwealth physicians to the
potassium iodide distribution, and doctors are knowledgeable about
the pills and their effects.
"We expect people will have questions about the medication and
suggest they write them down and take them along to their next doctor
appointment," says Howard A. Richter, M.D., president of the
Pennsylvania Medical Society. "Because physicians are acquainted with
each patient's health and medical history, they're best able to
respond to individual concerns."
Dr. Richter commends the Department of Health for its proactive,
forwarding-looking approach. "We hope, of course, that people will
never have the need to use these pills, but the Commonwealth of
Pennsylvania is looking out for the best interests of its citizens by
making them available now. They are to be kept for use in a possible
future radiation emergency and should only be taken when specifically
directed by the Governor or Secretary of Health through an emergency
alert system."
Earlier this week, the Department of Health announced that
distribution of potassium iodide to people living or working within
10 miles of nuclear-power plants in Pennsylvania would begin on
August 15.
Many residents of the 10-mile Emergency Planning Zones may be
uncertain about whether or not to take the pills, says David L. Hawk,
M.D., chair of the Pennsylvania Medical Society's Commission on
Public Health and director of the York City Bureau of Health. Like
many health issues, he says, people must compare the potential
benefits and drawbacks and discuss concerns with their physicians.
"If you're unsure about taking the pills, I'd suggest getting them
and then talking to your physician at your next visit. That way,
you'll have the pills should you decide to use them in the future."
The protective benefits of preventing thyroid cancer following a
radioactive release outweigh potassium iodide's risks or potential
negative effects for people of all ages, according to Dr. Hawk.
He says that negative reactions to potassium iodide are uncommon, and
he knows of no problematic interactions with other medications.
"Less than 1 percent of all people taking the pills would experience
side effects, yet they could occur." Possible reactions are skin
rashes, swelling of the salivary glands, metallic taste or burning in
the mouth and throat, sore teeth and gums, head cold symptoms,
stomach upset, and diarrhea.
According to the Pennsylvania Medical Society, if taken properly --
at the right time and dosage -- the pills should saturate the thyroid
gland and protect it against absorption of radioactive iodines that
would be emitted during a radiation release. Although everyone is at
risk to the effects of radioactive iodines, children are particularly
susceptible.
Dr. Hawk offers these guidelines for using potassium iodide. "Dosage
varies depending on age. Parents and guardians should pay careful
attention to dosing information on the instructions they receive with
the pills." He adds, "Those with known iodide allergies (for
example, to certain X-rays) shouldn't take the pills at all."
Instead, Dr. Hawk says, those who are allergic should seek protective
shelter or evacuate immediately upon a radiation release.
He cautions, "Although the pills offer protection, they shouldn't
provide false assurances. Potassium iodide has a temporary
protective effect, lasting generally about 24 hours. Therefore, it's
most effective when taken shortly before or during exposure to
radioactivity." However, it may be effective even if taken 3 to 4
hours after exposure.
In addition, Dr. Hawk points out that the pills protect just the
thyroid gland. "They can prevent thyroid cancer, but aren't useful
against other conditions caused by radiation. Only evacuation offers
full protection, but potassium iodide, particularly when used in
combination with adequate shelter, can be effective."
The Commonwealth's distribution of potassium iodide -- a chemical
compound that is routinely added to table salt, and also used to
treat some symptoms of bronchitis and asthma -- is intended to cover
two doses per person.
The Pennsylvania Medical Society emphasizes that individuals should
take doses as instructed, because overdosing and misuse could
increase the risk of side effects, including cancer and goiter
(enlargement of the thyroid gland). "If any negative reactions would
be experienced," Dr. Hawk advises, "individuals should stop taking
the pills and call their doctor, an emergency room, or their local
public health department."
-------------------
Westinghouse Signs 4 New Nuclear Plant Contracts in Korea
* Shin-Kori, Shin-Wolsong Plants to be Based on Proven Westinghouse
Technology
* Projects Affirm Korea's Leadership Role; Vitality of Commercial
Nuclear Power
PITTSBURGH, Aug. 9 /PRNewswire/ -- Westinghouse Electric Company
today announced that it has signed contracts valued in excess of $350
million to provide components, instrumentation and control equipment
and technical and engineering support services to four new nuclear
power plants to be built in the Republic of Korea.
The plants are Korea Standard Nuclear Plant Plus design, based on the
proven Westinghouse System 80 technology design. They have a total
cumulative construction value in excess of $6 billion.
The Westinghouse contracts are with DOOSAN Heavy Industries and
Construction Company, Inc., and the Korea Power Engineering Company,
Inc. The plants will be owned and operated by the Korea Hydro &
Nuclear Power Company (KHNP), a subsidiary of Korea Electric Power
Corporation. As of the end of 2001, KHNP operated 16 nuclear power
plants with an availability factor of 92%. The role of Korea Hydro &
Nuclear Power Company on the new projects is overall project
management of Licensing, Procurement and Construction, as well as
Start-up and Plant Operations.
In commenting on the contracts, Westinghouse President and CEO Steve
Tritch lauded the Republic of Korea's leadership position in the new
plant segment of the worldwide commercial nuclear power industry.
"The Republic of Korea's forward-looking program will help ensure
energy independence for years to come," he said. "It also further
proves the viability of nuclear power as an economically competitive
energy source that produces no carbon emissions."
For Westinghouse, these contracts solidify the company's position as
the leading supplier of new plant technology, said Jim Fici, senior
vice president of Westinghouse Nuclear Plant Projects.
"Westinghouse supplied the first nuclear steam supply system to South
Korea in the late 1970s. Since then, we have provided technology and
equipment to 13 additional nuclear plants there, including three
currently under construction," he said
In making the announcement, Westinghouse said the contracts would
provide work at a number of Westinghouse locations in the US,
including:
* Windsor, Connecticut-project management and engineering
* Newington, New Hampshire-component manufacturing
* Monroeville/Plum, Pennsylvania-engineering and equipment
manufacture
* New Britain, Connecticut - equipment manufacture
The Shin-Kori 1 and 2 plants and the Shin-Wolsong 1 and 2 plants will
be located in Pusan Metropolitan City and Kyungju-City respectively.
Work will begin almost immediately and will run to 2009 for Shin-Kori
and 2010 for Shin-Wolsong.
Westinghouse Electric Company LLC, wholly owned by BNFL plc, offers a
wide range of nuclear plant products and services to utilities around
the world, including fuel, spent fuel management, service and
maintenance, nuclear automation, and advanced nuclear plant designs.
Westinghouse supplied the world's first commercial pressurized water
reactor nuclear power plant in 1957 and has designed the world's
largest installed base of operating nuclear power plants. Today,
approximately one-half of the world's more than 430 operating plants
are based on Westinghouse designs.
BNFL is a leading specialist in nuclear technology and a global
supplier of nuclear fuel, products and services. Currently, around a
third of BNFL's sales comes from the Westinghouse business which
manufactures fuel and services nuclear reactors around the world; a
quarter comes from the recycling of UK and overseas customers' fuel;
a further quarter of sales comes from operating the UK's Magnox power
stations. The remainder of BNFL's business is in waste management
and decommissioning, which is expected to grow significantly in the
years ahead.
------------------
Pakistan, China discussing 2nd nuclear power plant
ISLAMABAD, Aug. 9 (Kyodo) - Pakistan and China are holding
discussions about setting up a second nuclear power plant at Chashma
in Punjab Province, a Foreign Ministry spokesman said Friday.
Spokesman Aziz Ahmad Khan also told Kyodo News that the issue was
discussed during President Gen. Pervez Musharraf's visit to China
last week.
Khan said the discussions with China are still at a preliminary stage
The Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC) announced in April last
year its plans to set up with Chinese assistance a 600-megawatt
nuclear power plant at Chashma in the Mianwali district of Punjab.
That plant would be in addition to the 300-megawatt Chashma Nuclear
Power Plant supplied by Chin, which went into operation early last
year.
Musharraf in June last year unveiled a plan to set up yet another
nuclear power plant at the site of an already existing one at Karachi
on the Arabian Sea coast to meet the country's demand for
electricity.
The 138-megawatt Karachi Nuclear Power Plant was supplied by Canada
in 1972 but was overhauled in the mid-1990s.
PAEC officials said Pakistan wants to set up the two new nuclear
power plants using the maximum possible proportion of locally
manufactured components.
------------------
Nagasaki Holds Bombing Anniversary
TOKYO Aug 9 (AP) - The mayor of Nagasaki marked the 57th anniversary
of the atom bomb attack on his city Friday by lashing out at the
United States for reversing efforts toward global nuclear missile
disarmament.
Itcho Ito said Washington's withdrawal from the 1972 Anti-Ballistic
Missile Treaty with Russia and its rejection of the 1996
Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty threatened to roll back the movement to
prevent nuclear war. He called for the formation of a nuclear-weapons-
free zone in Asia.
``We are appalled by this series of unilateral actions taken by the
government of the United States, actions which are also being
condemned by people of sound judgment throughout the world,'' Ito
said in his annual peace declaration, broadcast nationwide on TV.
Ito also urged Japan to forge agreements with countries in northeast
Asia to ban nuclear weapons. He suggested that Tokyo should stop
relying on Washington's ``nuclear umbrella'' for protection.
``Nagasaki must remain the final site of nuclear attack,'' he said.
The United States officially abandoned the ABM treaty in June, six
months after President Bush announced he would do so to pursue a
national missile defense system, which the treaty had forbidden.
The Bush administration also said it no longer supports the
Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty and won't send it to Congress for
ratification, even though the United States signed the accord.
Washington has had a self-imposed ban on nuclear testing since 1992.
In Friday's ceremony, survivors, residents, lawmakers and foreign
dignitaries stood in silence as a bell tolled and an air-raid siren
wailed for 60 seconds at 11:02 a.m. - the minute when a U.S. warplane
dropped the atomic bomb dubbed ``Fat Man.''
About 5,500 people attended the hour-long ceremony, and tens of
thousands more were expected to pay their respects to the dead
throughout the day, said city official Kimiko Ieiri.
The bomb dropped on Nagasaki on Aug. 9, 1945 killed about 70,000
people. This year, the city added the names of 2,564 people to a list
of those who have died from long-term illnesses linked to the
bombing, putting the total number of victims at 129,193, Ieiri said.
On Tuesday, an estimated 45,000 people gathered in Hiroshima to
remember 160,000 people killed or injured in the world's first atomic
bomb attack there on Aug. 6, 1945.
Japan's surrender on Aug. 15, 1945 ended World War II.
In an address at the Nagasaki memorial, Prime Minister Junichiro
Koizumi vowed to push for the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty.
``We will continue to press other countries to carry it out,''
Koizumi said. ``We will also stand at the forefront of global efforts
to
oppose nuclear proliferation and promote the reduction of nuclear
armies and the abolition of nuclear weapons.''
The Nagasaki and Hiroshima ceremonies are among a series of memorials
held every summer to honor Japanese who died in World
War II. Meanwhile, the government continues to grapple with its own
militaristic past.
Japanese courts hear dozens of cases filed against the government by
Asian victims of forced labor, sexual slavery and germ
warfare.
Japan's government denies any liability, saying the compensation
issue was settled by treaties signed after the war.
-------------------
Films capture lesson of life from nuclear victims
KAMAKURA, Japan, Aug. 9 (Kyodo) - By: Janice Tang Black-and-white
photos of a joyous spring wedding celebration, satisfied
farmers with baskets of produce at their feet, and smiling elderly
ladies selling delicious-looking strawberries, are not what one would
expect from a photo exhibition on nuclear victims.
At a photo exhibition on ''The Hibakusha of the World'' in Kamakura,
Kanagawa Prefecture, southwest of Tokyo, photographer and
film director Seiichi Motohashi presented his record of nuclear
radiation victims from a unique point of view.
''Nuclear (technology) is not something human beings can control. It
is one of the things humans should not have touched. However,
instead of using 'nuclear' as the theme (for my photos and
documentaries), I wanted to convey the message of 'life.' This is a
theme
connected to everyone, young and old,'' Motohashi told Kyodo News.
Motohashi, 62, has produced two award-winning documentary films and
published three photo collections on the lives of villagers
remaining in evacuated areas that have been declared uninhabitable
due to radioactive pollution from the 1986 nuclear fallout of the
Chernobyl nuclear power plant in Ukraine.
In April 1986, a reactor at the Chernobyl power plant overheated and
caused two explosions that released deadly radiation in the
atmosphere for 10 days.
People living in Chernobyl were exposed to radioactivity 100 times
greater than the U.S. atomic bomb dropped in Hiroshima at the
end of World War II, according to experts.
When Motohashi, a Tokyo native, started with photography in the
1970s, a time when Japan enjoyed high growth and chased after
economic materialism, he searched for the ''really precious things in
life one should live for.''
''All my photo collections are made based on the same feeling -- to
show the real richness of life for human beings,'' he said.
Since his first visit to Chernobyl as a volunteer in 1991, five years
after the nuclear accident, Motohashi has returned to nearby
villages over 30 times in the past decade to record the lives of
villagers.
''I found the real basic happiness in these people of the countryside
of Chernobyl, despite the nuclear contamination,'' he remarked.
That is why his documentaries do not tell the story of a nuclear
tragedy with smoking reactors. Instead, they deliver the message of
the real happiness and richness of life, a lesson he believes the
rest of the world should learn from.
Although most documentaries tend to show viewers the reality with
facts and statistics, Motohashi wanted to do more than that. ''I
want to stimulate the imagination of people watching the film, to put
something into their hearts and make them think.''
Motohashi's first documentary in 1997, ''Nadja's Village,'' was about
a girl and her family in a village in Belarus near Chernobyl where
most villagers had left due to the radioactive pollution.
The film, showing the villagers' toughness and endurance in
overcoming the terrible disaster in a land where its soil is
poisonous but
the scenery is like paradise, won several festival prizes and was an
official selection at the Berlin International Film Festival in 1998.
In 2000, Motohashi returned to Belarus with his crew to produce
''Alexei and the Spring,'' which is about an abandoned village
inhibited by a handful of elderly villagers and a disabled youth.
The village has a spring that carries miraculously uncontaminated
water, which the villagers believe to be ''100-year-old rainwater.''
It
has enabled the villagers to survive although the soil and forest
have all been polluted by nuclear radiation.
''The villagers never complained about their lives. They were
satisfied with what they have'' despite the hardships caused by
radioactive pollution and the lack of modern luxuries, such as
telephones and cars, Motohashi explained.
This second documentary also received high praise from critics
worldwide. It won the Readers' Prize of the Berliner Zeitung and
International Cine Club Prize in the Berlin International Film
Festival as well as the Grand Prix at the St. Petersburg
International
Film Festival this year.
Motohashi was humbled by the villagers' way of living. ''Their hands
are their tools, they work for survival not for making money.
When I shook their rough hands, I felt ashamed of myself,'' he said.
Over the past decade, however, even people living in the areas around
Chernobyl are starting to forget about the nuclear disaster that
had happened almost two decades ago.
With the collapse of the Soviet Union, people there have also started
to chase after economic richness, Motohashi said.
''The younger generation from the villages have all left for the
cities in search of 'better' lives,'' he added.
>From his encounters with the villagers, Motohashi concluded with a
message to all peoples of the world, ''I believe that every country,
religion and people should have their own respective set of values.
It does not have to be the same thing for the whole world.''
''What's even more important is to recognize, not deny, the
differences. The world should not be made into 'one','' Motohashi
said, reflecting upon the global trend to western values and
modernization.
-------------------------------------------------
Sandy Perle
Director, Technical
ICN Worldwide Dosimetry Service
ICN Plaza, 3300 Hyland Avenue
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
Tel:(714) 545-0100 / (800) 548-5100 Extension 2306
Fax:(714) 668-3149
E-Mail: sandyfl@earthlink.net
E-Mail: sperle@icnpharm.com
Personal Website: http://sandy-travels.com/
ICN Worldwide Dosimetry Website: http://www.dosimetry.com/
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