Doctors WHO covers up Fukushima episodes

The nuclear-critical medical organization IPPNW accuses the World Health Organization (WHO) of downplaying the number of cancers due to the nuclear catastrophe in Fukushima. Rather, the „Number of cancers are increasing in many parts of Japan“, so the summary of an investigation of the IPPNW. The WHO had spoken in a separate statement to part of the all-clear.

07/03/2013

On the second anniversary of the earthquake-triggered nuclear disaster in Japan on March 11, 2011, the atomic-critical physicians' organization IPPNW is providing a quantitative assessment of the nuclear disaster „Health consequences of Fukushima“ in front. The report documents worrying findings, which are already visible, only two years after the Super-GAU. The Nuremberg scientist Alfred Körblein found a significant decline in births in Japan for exactly 9 months after Fukushima.

Of 4,362 missing births in December 2011, only 209 were in Fukushima Prefecture. Increased infant mortality, among others. „exactly“ Nine months after the catastrophe began, it is another indication of how much this country as a whole and not just Fukushima prefecture is affected by this nuclear accident. Particularly alarming are the recent numbers of thyroid cysts and nodules in more than 55,000 children in Fukushima prefecture alone - and this is just one of 47 Japanese prefectures of these densely populated islands, about 20 percent of the radionuclides released into the atmosphere (approx 80% of the atmospheric releases contaminated the sea). Unlike in adults, such thyroid changes are in children „as precancerous lesions“ The former chief physician of the Herforder Children's Hospital, Dr. med. Winfrid Eisenberg, one of the authors of the IPPNW study. The doctors' organization therefore strongly recommends systematic systematic thyroid examinations in children throughout Japan.
Predictions about the expected cancers as a result of significantly increased „Background radiation“ In Japan, as well as the consumption of radioactively contaminated food, there are many uncertainties.

Doctors organization made their own investigations
Nonetheless, the IPPNW organization considered it necessary to give the world public an idea of ​​the extent of this nuclear disaster, at least on the basis of the data available so far. Based on publications in scientific journals on soil contamination with radioactive cesium or measurements of local dose rates in autumn 2012, IPPNW authors Henrik Paulitz, Ph.D. Winfrid Eisenberg and Reinhold Thiel in three alternative estimates to around 20,000 to 40,000 cancers due to „external radiation exposure“ in Japan. These figures are obtained when one calculates with the risk factor of 0.1 / Sv, which the World Health Organization WHO is now accepting. According to recent scientific findings, however, one must assume twice as high a risk and thus up to 80,000 cancers due to the external radiation exposure.

For the estimation of the expected cancers due to contaminated food, more than 133,000 measurements published by the Japanese Ministry of Health were used, of which, however, only a good 17,000 data were actually published as concrete measurements. According to IPPNW, conservative assumptions result in around 18,000 or 37,000 cancers according to the current state of science.

For the workers, who were operating in the damaged nuclear facility in 2011, according to the operating company Tepco, there are no even halfway evaluable data available. Based on the experience after Chernobyl, the IPPNW expects more than 17,000 serious cases.

The results of the IPPNW report are in sharp contrast to the Fukushima report presented by the World Health Organization on 28 February „Health risk assessment”. IPPNW member dr. Alex Rosen points out in an analysis that the WHO started from erroneous assumptions and focused only on selected areas in Fukushima prefecture.

WHO: Outside Fukushima only a low risk
The WHO only had one for the most radioactive contaminated areas in the immediate vicinity of Fukushima „increased cancer risk“ spoken. For the rest of Japan its „no increased rates of new cancers expected“, said the director of public health and environment. „The WHO report wants to downplay the consequences“, on the other hand, the medical association believes. Rather, the nuclear disaster in Japan could cost the lives of up to 120,000 people, as they develop cancer. In addition, there are around 18,000 workers and firefighters who were directly involved in the clean-up work. "Japan is therefore affected on a large scale," concludes the physician Henrik Paulitz of the IPPNW. (sb with material from IPPNW)

Also read:
Health: long-term consequences of radioactive radiation
What meltdown or super-GAU mean?
Radioactive Radiation: Health Effects
Nationwide actions planned for the nuclear phase-out
Doctors demand shutdown of all nuclear power plants

Picture: Joujou