Even Australia’s newspaper The Age fell for deceptive pro nuclear spin
5 June 13. Today’s Age article by John Watson repeats the mudd;led story put out by the latest UNSCEAR press release – carrying the general message that Fukushim aradiation is not hurting anybody, and really, we should again look upon nuclear power as safe. – Japan’s radiation disaster toll: none dead, none sick http://www.theage.com.au/comment/japans-radiation-disaster-toll-none-dead-none-sick-20130604-2nomz.html#ixzz2VNXzK6Hl
I can only think that the author is, like all too many Australian journalists – somewhat illiterate about ionising radiation and its biological effects.
John Watson’s article on Japan’s radiation following Fukushima repeats a misleading interpretation of the World Health Organisation’s February report. He does quote that report’s predictions of increased breast cancer and leukaemia risk for exposed communities. Bu then goes on to endorse the latest press release from UNSCEAR, which at a glance, appears to contradict that risk.
However, the UNSCEAR press release from Vienna experts is in fact cleverly worded so as to allay fear and panic. This press release talks about the “general public” of Japan. But the WHO report focussed on the exposed communities, not the whole general public of Japan. This press release talks of no “immediate health effects”. But the WHO focussed on effects that would occur many years later, not immediately. This press release talks of the “inability to attribute any health effects”. Alas, that is all too true. It will not be possible, in future to attribute cancer in individuals to Fukushima radiation. That’s because for say, every 30 cancer cases that occur in 20 years’ time, only one is likely o be due to Fukushima radiation. But which one?
In fact, to allay fear and panic, the latest press release from UNSCEAR has just sort of turned the WHO report upside down. In fact, the majority of people exposed to Fukushima radiation will remain well. The problem is that a significant minority will not. Fukushima radiation is not a big risk individually, but it is on a collective, population basis
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