nuclear-news

High levels of radiation on Lanyu (Orchid Island)

“Two Japanese academics have found unusual levels of radiation at more than 10 locations around Lanyu, with the level at one location as high as 500 times more than the environment background value — this shows that the issue of radioactive pollution is very serious on the island,”

Activists demand survey of Lanyu radiation levels, Taipei Times, 29 Sept 12, PARADISE LOST? Professors warn that radiation levels pose a threat to both residents and visitors of the island and may cause cancers and cardiovascular diseases By Loa Iok-sin  /  Staff reporter Environmentalists yesterday called on the Atomic Energy Council (AEC) to conduct a thorough survey around Lanyu (蘭嶼, also known as Orchid Island) as a report released by Japanese academics shows that an unusual amount of radiation has been
found on the island and that the nuclear waste storage facility on the island may be leaking.

“Two Japanese academics have found unusual levels of radiation at more than 10 locations around Lanyu, with the level at one location as high as 500 times more than the environment background value — this shows that the issue of radioactive pollution is very serious on the island,” Peter Chang (張武修), a professor at Taipei Medical University’s
School of Public Health, and the chairman of the National Association
for Radiation Protection, told a news conference yesterday.
“We hereby call on the AEC to conduct a throughout survey on radiation
levels on the island,” he added. “This is not only for the safety and
health of residents, but also for protection of tens of thousands of
visitors to the island.”
He said that exposure to such levels of radiation may increase the
risk of residents and visitors getting cardiovascular diseases,
cancers, or giving birth to deformed babies.
Chang was referring to a report released by Tokyo-based J.F. Oberlin
University professor Katsumi Nakao and associate professor You Kato
from Tokyo Metropolitan University’s Division of Radiological
Science………
http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2012/09/29/2003543947

September 29, 2012 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | environment, Taiwan