We held our breath the last few years wondering when this headline would appear:
First Fukushima Cancer Case.
Today that news appeared and now we wait for the other shoe to drop. Although experts say that this does signify a wave of cases to appear, we can’t help worrying. So far news from the 2010 disaster has seemed to slowly find its way to the background over the last couple of years. No one wants to talk about it.
However a worker at the plant made a claim for health coverage connected to a leukemia diagnosis directly related to his work at the plant. The man worked at the plant for a year from October 2012 to November 2013 as part of the clean up operations there. The International Atomic Energy Agency stated about a month ago that they saw no discernible signs of health issues from the disaster. We will see how they weigh in on this new diagnosis.
Check out these articles HERE and HERE for details on this story.
Our concern is that downplaying or ignoring the fallout from this event does not serve us in the end. How can there be no discernible health effects? Given what we know of other events like this, the health effects take years to reveal themselves. One of the best examples of this is Chernobyl. An event whose impact still is felt.
In fact there is an excellent book, Chernobyl: Consequences of the Catastrophe for People and the Environment, that demonstrates just the kind of impact these events have. The book collects and translates research done by leading Eastern European authorities, thanks to the diligence of the Academy of Sciences. This is research kept out of the mainstream, but now can be accessed by all.
Get the Book HERE
So we will keep out eyes open to see what transpires. We hope that this is not a trend. The great suffering from Fukushima does not need more cases of cancer. It also does not need important governing agencies playing down the impact. This serves no one. Talking about it only helps the community at large so we can care for each other.
Do you have thoughts about this important subject? Please share them in the comments. We all benefit when we share in community. Just leave a comment below.
To Your Health.
