White House Approves radical radiation clean up rollback to support Japan?
Some swearing in this video – links to report below
Published on 15 Apr 2013
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;
WHITE HOUSE APPROVES RADICAL RADIATION CLEANUP ROLLBACK
Civilian Cancer Deaths Expected to Skyrocket Following Radiological Incidents
Posted on Apr 08, 2013
Washington, DC — 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.
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[…] White House Approves radical radiation clean up rollback to support Japan? (nuclear-news.net) […]
Pingback by EPA updates standards. Cancer rates to soar | Vernon Radiation Safety | April 16, 2013 |
I used to follow Blanch but be blocked me because I asked questions. His autism doesnt allow him to deal with people very well.
Comment by Valhalla999 | April 17, 2013 |
i have adhd (a relative of autism) and thats bad enough..
i do really like his aggressive approach.. it will take many personality types to wake up the masses.. i am sorry that he blocked you.. but i suspect you are on the bottom of a long list there! 🙂 waiting my turn… hehe! i will still carry on watching though.. he appeals to my artistic side too! in the uk we have chunky mark for some angst filled news on you tube.. i post him up occasionally too! its good to see some steam blown off.. i feel like i had a good rage myself after watching these guys videos.. so that means that it is actual good therapy for a stressed out blogger.. plus posting with some added angst can be interesting.. thank heavens for the edit button though! 🙂
peace
Comment by arclight2011 | April 17, 2013 |
[…] White House Approves radical radiation clean up rollback to support Japan? (nuclear-news.net) […]
Pingback by The White House has given final approval for raising permissible radioactive levels in drinking water and soil following “radiological incidents,” Civilian cancer deaths expected to skyrocket. | Family Survival Protocol | April 21, 2013 |