To appreciate how flawed the process has been, a little history is needed
The current study of cancer rates near nuclear plants is now nearly six years old, and will take at least five more years, maybe more, to complete. The planning is being shaped by regulators closely aligned with an industry that stands to lose if nuclear energy plants are linked to cancer.
Dr. Sherman writes for The Washington Spectator, a project of the Public Concern Foundation
During the last few years, Hans Wolkers and Daan Kloeg, photographers, journalists and scientists, documented the consequences of the Chernobyl disaster. They visited the area around the exploded reactor multiple times and photographed the lasting impact of the disaster. They also talked to scientists, eye witnesses, and people that still live in their radioactive homes.
Their efforts resulted in a unique book, covering the most remarkable aspects of the biggest nuclear disaster in the world. The book tells the story of Chernobyl, so it will never be forgotten.
Sales of this book help support the people who moved back into the “death zone” around the ruined reactor. The book contains 180 pages of excellent photographs and text. www.chernobylwitness.com
Please share this information with your contacts.
Thank you—JDS
A demonstration that in space as on Earth solar power is an alternative to dangerous nuclear power is to come this week when a solar-powered spacecraft called Rosetta will rendezvous with a comet at 375 million miles from the Sun.
Read the full article by Karl Grossman
Why New Studies Are Needed Now!
Dr. Sherman and Joseph Mangano write again for CounterPunch, calling for research to be done in Japan and elsewhere to help determine the effects of radiation on the health of Japanese citizens and others in the northern hemisphere.
“Once-skeptical health officials now admit even low doses of radiation are harmful. Studies showed X-rays to pregnant women’s abdomens raised the risk of the child dying of cancer, ending the practice. Bomb fallout from Nevada caused up to 212,000 Americans to develop thyroid cancer. Nuclear weapons workers are at high risk for a large number of cancers….medical research on changes in Japanese disease and death rates are needed – now, in all parts of Japan.”
Link to a 56-minute audio recording of Janette Sherman and Joseph Mangano being interviewed about their work. At several points in the tape you’ll hear comments regarding radiation falling on Alaska and washing up on its shoreline. Indeed this is happening daily and it is affecting the ecosystem. Uncontrolled releases to the air and ocean at Fukushima are unprecedented in size and potency and occurring daily. Alaska is downwind and downcurrent from Fukushima. It is foolish to deny the risk Alaska faces.
You may also wish to review this site: http://www.akradioisotopeinfocenter.org/. Data here supports the work of Sherman and Mangano while calling attention to the damage and death Fukushima radiation is wreaking on Alaska’s ecosystem and wildlife resources.
The State of Alaska is ignoring the dangers posed by Fukushima. One assumes state leaders are working to protect the seafood industry’s financial interests. Citizens whose concern is their health look to you to elevate the issue to a prominent position in public dialogue and action.
Thank you to Douglas Yates for sharing this info.
Libbe HaLevy, Producer/Host, Nuclear Hotseat Podcast produced a special anniversary podcast that contains portions of an interview with Dr. Sherman.
Henry Fountain writes about Dr. Tim Mousseau, a biologist from the University of North Carolina:
“Dr. Mousseau, a biologist at the University of South Carolina, has been coming to the contaminated area around Chernobyl, known as the exclusion zone, since 1999. The list of creatures he has studied is long: chiffchaffs, blackcaps, barn swallows and other birds; insects, including bumblebees, butterflies and cicadas; spiders and bats; and mice, voles and other small rodents. After the nuclear meltdowns at Fukushima, Japan, three years ago he has conducted similar research there, too.
In dozens of papers over the years Dr. Mousseau, his longtime collaborator, Anders Pape Moller of the National Center for Scientific Research in France, and colleagues have reported evidence of radiation’s toll: higher frequencies of tumors and physical abnormalities like deformed beaks among birds compared with those from uncontaminated areas, for example, and a decline in the populations of insects and spiders with increasing radiation intensity.
Beyond Nuclear aims to educate and activate the public about the connections between nuclear power and nuclear weapons and the need to abandon both to safeguard our future. Beyond Nuclear advocates for an energy future that is sustainable, benign and democratic. www.beyondnuclear.org
“The disaster at Unit 2 of the Three Mile Island (TMI) nuclear power plant near Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, began on March 28, 1979. Now, 35 years later, the reality, not only of what happened, but also the long-term aftermath and effects, remain cloaked in mystery and misinformation. Ironically, despite today’s popular “too much information” shorthand, TMI is a story of too little information. Beyond Nuclear has endeavored to dig into the lies and myths and uncover the truth about TMI. Starting with the disaster narrative we take a look at: the “no one died at TMI” myth; how much radiation really got out; the lack of adequate emergency planning and protective measures; the people’s experience downwind of the disaster; and the impacts on plants and animals. We hear from engineer, Arnie Gundersen, and longtime campaigner, Dr. Judith Johnsrud. Finally, we compare the mistakes of TMI with those at the Chernobyl and Fukushima disasters. If the lessons of TMI, Chernobyl and now Fukushima are unlearned, we are destined to repeat, rather than prevent them the next time. And until all nuclear power plants are closed, that “next time” is a tragic inevitability.” (JDS Italics)
PSR Wisconsin
2712 Marshall Court, Suite 2
Madison, WI 53705-2282
info@psrwisconsin.org
For further information contact
Pam Kleiss 608/232-9945
For Immediate Release: Friday, January 24, 2014
Jeff Patterson, DO, Madison physician and professor was an indefatigable champion serving Physicians for Social Responsibility (PSR) Wisconsin and will be sorely missed by all who knew and worked with him. Jeff passed away on Thursday night, January 23, of a heart attack.
Dr. Patterson first work with PSR was to establish the Madison PSR chapter. With two other founding members and students at the UW medical school, they challenged the concept of a “winnable nuclear war.” Hundreds of people joined to formalize the Madison PSR chapter in 1983. Jeff remained very active in the chapter throughout three decades, and particularly enjoyed providing direction to interested medical students and nurturing their understanding of humanitarian ethics and activism.
Dr. Patterson served in every capacity at PSR, from decades on the PSR’s board of trustees to terms as the president in 2010 and 2013. He served as International Councilor with the US affiliate of the International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War, winner of the 1985 Nobel Peace Prize. He traveled extensively in the former USSR, visiting Chernobyl and sites of nuclear testing and nuclear weapons’ production. He lectured about the effects of nuclear weapons and radiation there, in Europe, and in the US. He was also interested in non-violent alternatives to war as means of preventing war and sustainable methods of ameliorating climate change. He provided pivotal guidance to staff and educated the public on the threats from nuclear power, especially after the disaster in Fukushima.
“Jeff was so committed to our collective struggle to protect our world for our children and grandchildren,” added Dr. Bob Gould, current president of PSR. Jeff exuded compassion. He cared for human life and committed himself to the relief of suffering; it motivated all his work. Jeff was a gentle soul with a powerful spirit and always a calming influence in difficult times.
While Jeff regularly served as an expert speaker, he approached this task from stories of human health and as a witness to those suffering. He had a gift for sharing the stories of people impacted by radiation exposure, from poor, elderly farmers in the abandoned land around Chernobyl and concerned mothers downwind of Fukushima to veterans exposed to radiation in the line of duty. All stories from his own experience as a doctor and activist and from first-hand conversations with the people affected.
In addition to his extensive service with PSR, Dr. Patterson was the medical director of the Hackett Hemwall Foundation (HHF), a charitable foundation doing charitable medical work in Honduras, Mexico, and the Philippines. Through the foundation and with the help of many dedicated volunteers, he taught physicians from over 20 countries the procedures of prolotherapy to treat chronic pain. He practiced medicine and was the former director of the Northeast Family Medical Center in and a Professor of Family Medicine at the University of Wisconsin.
Jeff listened carefully and attentively; he had a huge capacity for kindness and was a nurturing physician and colleague. His internal compass pointed others to just acts and a world without suffering. He served his patients and the international peace community well and we are grateful to have had the opportunity to learn from him. We will miss but always remember his deep, reasonable voice and wise counsel.
Jeff is survived by daughter Becca and grandchild, Kira, and Mary Doherty, his loving partner of many years.
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