Medical scanners’radiation overdoses, but Toshiba still wants nuclear taxpayer funds

the overdoses were larger and more widespread than previously known, with patients reporting serious health problems. They face long-term risks of cancer and brain damage…..Given the information emerging about Toshiba’s safety record, is that [funding] a risk U.S. taxpayers want to take?

Company seeking nuclear subsidies under investigation for radiation overdoses to stroke patients, FACING SOUTH, By Sue Sturgis August 4, 2010 The U.S. Senate could vote as soon as next month on a proposal to give $9 billion in taxpayer-backed loan guarantees to companies planning to build new nuclear reactors — and one of the companies seeking the aid for a project in Texas is currently under federal investigation for its role in the radiation overdoses of patients who received CT scans on its equipment.
On Saturday, the New York Times published the results of its investigation into the hundreds of radiation overdoses, which first came to light last year and triggered an ongoing probe by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The paper discovered that the overdoses were larger and more widespread than previously known, with patients reporting serious health problems. They face long-term risks of cancer and brain damage.

The overdoses involved brain perfusion scans, which are used to diagnose strokes by examining blood flow in the brain. Even when done properly, such scans deliver a whopping dose of radiation, comparable to about 200 X-rays…………
Besides CT scanners, Toshiba also builds nuclear power reactors. It’s part of an investment group involving New Jersey-based NRG Energy that’s planning to build two new reactors at the South Texas Project near Bay City — and the companies say they need the taxpayer-financed loan guarantees to move ahead…………

To date, the federal government has authorized $18.5 billion for nuclear loan guarantees. The Department of Energy has given out more than $8 billion of that to the Southern Company to build two new reactors at Georgia’s Plant Vogtle, the total cost of which is currently estimated at about $14 billion.

“These nuclear loans are taxpayer bailouts for nuclear power projects that cannot and will not succeed on their own,” said Michael Mariotte, executive director of the Nuclear Information and Resource Service. “They want us to take their risks.”

Given the information emerging about Toshiba’s safety record, is that a risk U.S. taxpayers want to take?