CTBTO: Fukushima is polluting the entire planet - Prep Commission Analysis

[flamingdem]

http://www.ctbto.org/press-centre/highlights/2011/fukushima-related-measurements-by-the-ctbto/fukushima-related-measurements-by-the-ctbto-page-1/

Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization
http://www.ctbto.org/

------------- SNIP


To date, more than 35 radionuclide stations that are part of the International Monitoring System (IMS) have provided information on the spread of radioactive particles and noble gases from the Fukushima accident. The IMS is a global network that will comprise 337 facilities when complete. Sixty-three of the 80 planned IMS radionuclide stations are already operational and able to detect airborne radioactivity.
Initial findings

The first analysis results of the monitoring data became available a few days after the accident. A clear picture quickly emerged. Initial detections of radioactive materials were made on 12 March at the Takasaki monitoring station in Japan just 250 km away from the troubled power plant. The dispersion of the radioactive isotopes could then be followed to eastern Russia on 14 March and to the west coast of the United States two days later.
Spreading across the entire globe

Nine days after the accident, the radioactive cloud had crossed Northern America. Three days later when a station in Iceland picked up radioactive materials, it was clear that the cloud had reached Europe. By day 15, traces from the accident in Fukushima were detectable all across the northern hemisphere. For the first four weeks, the radioactive materials remained confined to the northern hemisphere, with the equator initially acting as a dividing line between the northern and southern air masses. As of 13 April, radioactivity had spread to the southern hemisphere of the Asia-Pacific region and had been detected at stations located for example in Australia, Fiji, Malaysia and Papua New Guinea.

The CTBTO’s monitoring system, custom-tailored to detecting nuclear explosions, can detect a range of radioactive isotopes, among them Iodine-131 and Caesium-137. Looking at the ratios between the various radioactive isotopes – in particular Caesium-137 – enables the source of the emission to be identified. In the case of the current readings, findings clearly indicate radionuclide releases from a damaged nuclear power plant, which is consistent with the recent accident at Fukushima in Japan. As of 13 April, the average level of radioactivity picked up by the stations worldwide continued to decline, which is also due to the relatively short half-lives of Iodine-131 (8 days) and Xenon-133 (5.2 days). MORE AT LINK

[flamingdem]

1. OP ED: Coping with Fallout - About how people don't pay attention to biggest nuclear catastrophe

http://www.opednews.com/Diary/Coping-with-fallput-by-John-Peebles-110418-128.html


Long article at link, excerpt:

Fukushima's radiation continues to leak and Americans seem completely disinterested. Now of course the mainstream media is an old and familiar culprit in keeping the people uninformed. Rising out of the perception management game now is also the Federal Government, which appears unwilling to test and identify the scope of the threat. The lesson appears to be that we're on our own.

I'm beginning to think the problem isn't with greedy corporations, or weak regulatory enforcement but rather with the American people. Most seem so passive and accepting of their fate. It really does bring up the saying that all evil needs is for people to do nothing to confront it.

Of course if no one opposes these corporate behemoths then they'll get away with everything they can. It brings up another saying, by Benjamin Franklin, to the effect that we've been given a Republic, if we can keep it.

It takes an informed populace to keep its leaders under control. People need to participate in the democratic process. I've heard democracy described not as an end but a work in progress. If people don't get involved, there's no one to hold those in power accountable.

As bad as the corporations are, it's the unwillingness of the American public to fight for itself that's a far greater challenge. SNIP see more at link

[Zoeisright]

8. Boy, if that isn't the truth.

I don't know what it's going to take to wake up this country. Maybe it will never happen.

[LiberalAndProud]

2. K & R

[dixiegrrrrl]

3. The take away from this article:Radioactivity outside of Japan below harmful levels

found halfway down page 2.
"the levels detected at stations outside Japan up until April 13 have been far below levels that could cause harm to humans and the environment. The levels are comparable to natural background radiation such as cosmic radiation and radiation from the environment on Earth and lower than from manmade sources such as medical applications or nuclear power plants (under normal operations) or isotope production facilities. This demonstrates how extremely sensitive the CTBTO's monitoring stations are."

as of now, anyhow.

[flamingdem]

4. I think they downplay potential risks

especially for pregnant women and children. But they've been doing that for years.

My takeaway is that it went everywhere, it impacts more than just Japan and becomes a global issue.

[franzia99]

5. I bet you're right.

[nadinbrzezinski]

6. It has, but even raising the minimum safe

for all these things is coming from the admission that nope, we can't do anything.

[dixiegrrrrl]

11. As i said, for now.

The idea that it will take months before the continuing production of radioactivity can BEGIN to be halted is very un-nerving.

[franzia99]

7. Can you explain, in detail, why contact with, and inhalation and consumption of fallout won't harm

us. Really, I'm curious to know how you're so sure that these radioactive particles entering our bodies and damaging our dna aren't harmful. I assume that if you're confident enough to give us absolute assurances you must be a nuclear physicist with vast knowledge on the subject. I look forward to reading your in depth explanation.

[Zoeisright]

9. Well, that's wrong.

Inhaling and eating radioactive particles is far more harmful than being exposed to them externally. I don't hear the M$M talking about that point.

[enough]

10. k&r (nt)