Radiation effects on human health. From the Yomiuri Shimbun.
Mainichi Shimbun, one of Japan’s major newspapers, warns that spreading inaccurate information regarding the nuclear power plant crisis can prevent areas that have been hit by the quake and tsunami from receiving assistance, thus creating even more stress and suffering for the victims of the March 11 tragedy.
Even among experts, there are conflicting views on the risks that local residents face. Takes on the situation differ among experts in the U.S. and in Japan as well. Such conflicting information brews even more concern.
Government officials and experts must make easy-to-understand criteria for judging immediate and future risks available to the public. Otherwise, inaccurate information can prevent areas that have been hit hard by the quake and tsunami but are not affected by the power plant crisis from receiving much-needed assistance.
We must break away from the vicious cycle of nuclear fears creating even more suffering for quake and tsunami victims.
Probably the best point anyone made during this crisis, and something the entire media should take a moment to think about.
Another major Japanese newspaper, The Yomiuri Shimbun, offers a level-headed perspective on the effects of radioactive elements on the human body.
Following the detection of high levels of radioactive substances in some agricultural products Monday, the government ordered Fukushima, Ibaraki, Tochigi and Gunma prefectures to halt shipments of spinach and kakina greens. It also ordered Fukushima Prefecture to halt milk shipments for the time being.
“Even if people eat these products, there will be no immediate effect,” Chief Cabinet Secretary Yukio Edano said. “We have imposed the restrictions in case the radiation leak becomes protracted.”
Food safety expert Hideaki Karaki, professor emeritus at the University of Tokyo, said: “As it stands, the radiation levels that have been detected in food present no danger. But in all likelihood, many consumers would refuse to buy the products even if they were shipped, so factoring in distribution costs, this restriction was unavoidable.”
“Moving forward, similar incidents and harmful rumors need to be nipped in the bud by disclosing correct information, and farmers need to be properly compensated for their losses,” he said.
In Iitatemura, Fukushima Prefecture, radioactive iodine was detected in the water supply at levels three times higher the acceptable limit of 300 becquerel per kilogram. Nuclear experts believe airborne isotopes entered the water supply via the reservoirs and rivers from which the water is pumped.
The Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry instructed the village’s residents to refrain from drinking the water, but said they could still use the water for bathing and washing.
Things aren’t ideal, but the situation is far from being a doomsday one. Let’s follow what’s going on with a cool head on our shoulders, shall we?
