Atomic Train

["Burba, Michael (BURBAMJ)" <BURBAMJ@UCMAIL.UC.EDU>]

As was predictable, the NBC affiliate here in Cincinnati ran a "Could it
happen here?" piece at 11:00. The announcer stated that the chances of this
type of nuclear accident in Cincinnati was "nil"; however, they did a
segment on hazardous materials transportation. They did a good job of
talking about specifications for train tank cars and had a picture of a tank
car shipped from a local chemical company that was badly damaged in a crash,
but did not leak a drop of the acid it was carrying. A train leaving Fernald
with contaminated soil was shown, but no claims of deadly radiation was
made. They also interviewed local hazmat team leaders and discussed the
actions they would take in an accident. They did state that none of them had
seen a serious accident during their careers which attested to the safety of
transportation of hazardous materials. The piece had no anti-nuclear,
anti-chemical, anti-technology or anti-anything spokesperson so it was
factual and unbiased. Good job by Channel 5.

I did send them an e-mail thanking them for running an unbiased,
non-sensationalized piece.

Mike Burba
Asst RSO
University of Cincinnati
Michael.Burba@uc.edu
(513)558-4110  FAX (9905)

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