Global Research – by Helen Caldicott
Civilian Cancer Deaths Expected to Skyrocket Following Radiological Incidents
The White House has given final approval for dramatically raising permissible radioactive levels in drinking water and soil following “radiological incidents,” such as nuclear power-plant accidents and dirty bombs. The final version, slated for Federal Register publication as soon as today, is a win for the nuclear industry which seeks what its proponents call a “new normal” for radiation exposure among the U.S population, according Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (PEER).
Issued by the Environmental Protection Agency, the radiation guides (called Protective Action Guides or PAGs) allow cleanup many times more lax than anything EPA has ever before accepted. These guides govern evacuations, shelter-in-place orders, food restrictions and other actions following a wide range of “radiological emergencies.” The Obama administration blocked a version of these PAGs from going into effect during its first days in office. The version given approval late last Friday is substantially similar to those proposed under Bush but duck some of the most controversial aspects:
In soil, the PAGs allow long-term public exposure to radiation in amounts as high as 2,000 millirems. This would, in effect, increase a longstanding 1 in 10,000 person cancer rate to a rate of 1 in 23 persons exposed over a 30-year period;
- In water, the PAGs punt on an exact new standard and EPA “continues to seek input on this.” But the thrust of the PAGs is to give on-site authorities much greater “flexibility” in setting aside established limits; and
- Resolves an internal fight inside EPA between nuclear versus public health specialists in favor of the former. The PAGs are the product of Gina McCarthy, the assistant administrator for air and radiation whose nomination to serve as EPA Administrator is taken up this week by the Senate.
- Despite the years-long internal fight, this is the first public official display of these guides. This takes place as Japan grapples with these same issues in the two years following its Fukushima nuclear disaster.
“This is a public health policy only Dr. Strangelove could embrace. If this typifies the environmental leadership we can expect from Ms. McCarthy, then EPA is in for a long, dirty slog,” stated PEER Executive Director Jeff Ruch, noting that the EPA package lacks a cogent rationale, is largely impenetrable and hinges on a series of euphemistic “weasel words.”
“No compelling justification is offered for increasing the cancer deaths of Americans innocently exposed to corporate miscalculations several hundred-fold.”
Reportedly, the PAGs had been approved last fall but their publication was held until after the presidential election. The rationale for timing their release right before McCarthy’s confirmation hearing is unclear.
Since the PAGs guide agency decision-making and do not formally set standards or repeal statutory requirements, such as the Safe Drinking Water Act and Superfund, they will go into full effect following a short public comment period. Nonetheless, the PAGs will likely determine what actions take place on the ground in the days, weeks, months and, in some cases, years following a radiological emergency.
Sent to us by a reader.
banker owned obama just fixed the social security monetary problem. Nobody will be old enough to collect.
Well done Obumhead, what a waste of space this monkey is, effectively killing his citizens and giving energy providers open slather to f#@k the environment up with no fear of consequences.
Isn’t that their answer to everything? The national debt rises, simply print more fiat money.
Radiation levels rise, simply raise the limit allowed.
Problem solved.
Well, in order to set a good example, he aught move his White House office right adjacent to the Fukashima reactors. What’s good for the goose, is good for the gander!
Of course, being the HYPOCRITE that he is, well, you just have to know that HIS water WILL be highly purified, right along with everything else.
But remember, there is no population reduction agenda. ;-).
Nuka cola anyone?
http://youtu.be/duyfUt9GZ_0 – a comprehensive show about the radiation in the skies while flying since Fukushima, mutation of animals (pigs, cows, fish, dogs) veggies, fruits, the list goes on and on. If you are in the game then make sure you wash all your fruits and veggies in baking soda. I have a geiger the count drops every time baking soda is used. Reverse osmosis is the way to go also for water. And of course no sea foods, I have a lake on our property that is stocked, that will be my sole source of fish.
Beware of any and all foods from the west coast…if you had a geiger you would understand.
Live well and be smart.
I must say that these are some of the best comments I have seen in a while 😉
Unfortunately I have to agree with #1 NWO Hatr on this one – problem resolution = more covert operations.
Our environment is definitely being manipulated/changing on a GLOBAL scale and it is definitely not to suite any of the life currently living on this planet.