Antinuclear

New Zealand’s nuclear test veterans call for radiation health study

Nuclear veterans call for radiation health study NZ Herald Aug 3, 2015 Veterans of New Zealand’s frigate protest at nuclear tests in the South Pacific are calling for a study into the effects of radiation on their health and their children and grandchildren.

About 500 men served on HMNZS Otago and HMNZS Canterbury during the 1973 official Labour Government’s sea-borne challenge to testing in the atmosphere at a French Polynesian atoll.

Mururoa Nuclear Veterans Group president Wayne O’Donnell said the group wanted to monitor medical problems of the veterans and their families.

However, without a full list of those who served on the frigates, the group needed to get in touch with crew, or their widows and families.

The group aims to set up a trust fund to enable medical testing of veteran’s children and grandchildren.

It sought data on issues suffered by the children and also mothers during conception and child birth.

“It is hoped the results will establish the truth of the genetic transfer of illnesses related to the nuclear exposure encountered by the crews that were sent to Muruoa Atoll in 1973,” said Mr O’Donnell.

Since the group formed two years ago, he said it had met Veterans Affairs Minister Craig Foss and senior officials and more communication was expected from both sides……….http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11490895

August 3, 2015 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | Uncategorized