Scientists: Effects of Nuclear Situation in Japan Should Not Be Downplayed By Philippine Government

Scientists: Effects of Nuclear Situation in Japan Should Not Be Downplayed By Philippine Government

“The two stations in the Fukushima region reportedly produce the world’s largest joint amount of energy. If complete meltdown occurs in any of the Fukushima reactors, this may lead to a much worse contamination of the atmosphere than the one that was caused by the Chernobyl disaster.” – Dr. Romy Quijano, toxicologist.

By INA ALLECO R. SILVERIO
Bulatlat.com
Stop underplaying the possible effects of worsening nuclear trouble in Japan.

This was the call made by one of the country’s leading toxicologists and the scientist group Agham (Advocates of Science and Technology for the People) to the Philippine and Japanese governments in the wake of the escalating problems concerning Japan’s nuclear power plants.

Dr. Romy Quijano said government officials and the dominant media should stop downplaying the possibility that the nuclear radiation from Japan will reach the Philippines. He said to say that the radiation leak is minimal and pose no significant health risks is “a gross misrepresentation of facts.”

Quijano is also the president of the Pesticide Action Network Philippines.

Agham for its part said that both the governments of the Philippines and Japan should issue clear guidelines and information regarding the nuclear hazards resulting from the accident in Japan.

Both Agham and Quijano said the growing industrial disasters in the Fukushima reactors in Northeastern Japan should prompt both governments to be transparent in reporting the incidents in order to avoid panic and disruption for both Japanese and Filipinos alike.

“The government of Japan should be transparent and open about telling the world about the updates regarding the nuclear accident,” said Agham in a statement posted on its website.

“Because of rapid developments in the situation of the Fukushima nuclear power plants; and because the Filipino people have had very limited experience in facing nuclear hazards, we call on the Philippine government to plan in advance possible scenarios that could result from the ongoing accident.”

The group said that there should be available data for the public about three- to five-day wind forecasts and the current level of radioactive emissions in the atmosphere.

It pointed out that without clear and official information, it is easy for the public and the media to speculate about the possible effects of this nuclear accident.

“We are also urging citizens to be critical of information being received especially through SMS, social networks and email regarding this matter. We should be responsible in not forwarding unverified information,” the group said.

Radioactive Food Imports

According to reports, President Benigno Aquino III has already instructed authorities to check for radioactivity in food imports from Japan.

“Just as a precaution, imports from Japan, mostly foodstuffs, will be checked for their level of radiation,” Communications Secretary Ricky Carandang said.

Hong Kong’s Food and Health Secretary York Chow has said that the most at-risk articles are fresh products, including dairy products, fresh fruits and vegetables..... MORE

Source:  Bulatlat.com

URL: http://bulatlat.com/main/2011/03/18/scientists-effects-of-nuclear-situation-in-japan-should-not-be-downplayed-by-philippine-government/