Will there be risks to U.S. travelers flying domestically. . . . . .

[ensho]

http://www.remappingdebate.org/article/will-there-be-risks-us-travelers-flying-domestically-wake-japans-nuclear-disaster-anyone-ass


Will there be risks to U.S. travelers flying domestically in wake of Japan's nuclear disaster? Is anyone assessing?


One might imagine that U.S. government agencies are well-versed in the physics of how, when, over what period of time, and with what consequences, radioactive particles may rise to the altitude of the jet stream, there to be transported from Japanese air space across the Pacific Ocean until some subset of those particles were circulating in the jet stream over the United States.

One might also imagine that a basic level of national security vigilance would mean that these agencies had definitive plans in place to coordinate with one another, apply established standards of radiological safety to the context of air travel in and through that jet stream, and update the public accordingly.

At least in respect to the second set of imaginings, it appears that one would be wrong.

-snip of the quest for answers-

National Nuclear Security Administration: "we have no expertise" on this question

-snip-

Federal Aviation Administration: assurances, but no information

-snip-

Airline employee: concerns "both for ourselves and for our passengers"

-snip-

After reflecting on the prospect of frequent travel over the next several weeks, the flight attendant had one more question for the government: are there "any contingency plans" if radioactive materials are found in the jet stream?

-snip-
----------------------------


so there you have it

[dipsydoodle]

1. So don't fly

:shrug:

[WolverineDG]

2. You're always exposed to radiation when you fly

especially overseas.

dg

[TahitiNut]

3. I think I'd be more concerned about the aquatic food supply

While folks have expressed relief at the westerly prevailing winds, any contaminated particulate matter that affects the huge variety of oceanic flora and fauna that comprises a Japanese diet would be of far more concern to me in the longer term.

[MrCoffee]

4. That entire article is a giant jumble of nothing

I read that whole thing...someone shoot me in the face.