Is Radiation from Fukushima to Blame for These Crazy Events?
Each day, 300 tons of radioactive water is spilling into the Pacific Ocean. The amount in the ocean and the global water supply is growing every single day, and ultimately impacting wildlife and our food supply. Whether you live on the West Coast or in the middle of the country, this should concern you as it could eventually affect us all.
If you listen to Tepco and Japanese officials, you are bound to be confused about how bad Fukushima’s lasting effects really are. One moment they said everything is under control at the Fukushima nuclear plant, and the next they admitted radiation levels are ’18 times higher’Â than originally stated.
One would have to be awfully trusting to think the radioactive water spilling into the ground and eventually the sea isn’t possibly a factor.
Whether radiation from Fukushima is to blame or not, here are just a few crazy things that have happened.
1. Tuna caught off the coast of California are contaminated with radiation. One test that studied 15 tuna found that all 15 had radiation contamination above and beyond what is normal for that area. Cesium-134 and cesium-137, which the fish were contaminated with, does not sink to the ocean floor, but rather contaminates the sea at all levels where fish swim through it, ingest it, or eat organisms that have already ingested it. Interestingly, the scientists who tested the fish didn’t expect to find contamination and were sadly proven wrong.
2. Something is reportedly causing herring to bleed from their gills, bellies, and eyeballs. It’s believed these symptoms could be a sign of viral hemorrhagic septicemia that could be spread into salmon and other fish varieties.
3. Sockeye salmon populations at historic lows. Recreational and non-aboriginal fisheries in an area of British Columbia have been shut down due to record low numbers of sockeye salmon.
4. Fish imported from Japan is already contaminated. The Vancouver Sun tested fish imports from Japan and found cesium-137 at alarming rates, contaminating 73% of mackerel, 91% of halibut, 92% of sardines, 93% of tuna, 94% of cod and anchovies, and 100% of the carp, seaweed, shark and monkfish.
5. Radioactive plume expected to reach U.S. coastal waters soon. A large plume of radiation is expected to begin flowing into the coastal waters in the beginning of 2014 and continue throughout 2016. If we’re only thus far seeing the tip of the iceberg, what’s to come could be truly frightening.
6. There is an epidemic of sea lion deaths along the California coastline.
At island rookeries off the Southern California coast, 45 percent of the pups born in June have died, said Sharon Melin, a wildlife biologist for the National Marine Fisheries Service based in Seattle. Normally, less than one-third of the pups would die. It’s gotten so bad in the past two weeks that the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration declared an “unusual mortality event.”
7. We could see very high levels of cancer along the West coast due to contaminated fish consumption.
“Look at what’s going on now: They’re dumping huge amounts of radioactivity into the ocean — no one expected that in 2011,” Daniel Hirsch, a nuclear policy lecturer at the University of California-Santa Cruz, told Global Security Newswire. “We could have large numbers of cancer from ingestion of fish.”
Here is a real-time map of radiation levels within the U.S.
Common Sense tells any intelligent, honest, rational individual that there is bound to be DISASTROUS effects as a result of the Fukishima debacle, but then we have people like “gdbear65” who may be living in Disneyland or ,as I truly suspect, is a TROLL or at best, a STOOGE for the Establishment
Radiation is Invisible ! Tsunami- Earth quakes- Tornadoes etc are Highly visible. BEWARE this radiation mess – VERY DANGEROUS
There is what we know
There is what we Don’t know
BIG Problem — There is what we don’t even know that we don’t know
gdbear65 is radioactive
“300 tons of water is 1/8 the amount needed to fill an Olympic swimming pool…” You missed that part that said EVERY DAY. Smudge on your glasses?
No I saw it, but if you read the article I cited you’ll realize that it’s not as bad as people seem to think. Most of it dissipates almost immediately in the ocean currents near Fukushima. It is cause for concern but no reason to panic. Articles such as this one overstate the dangers and don’t provide relevant facts. All they do is incite people to get upset over issues that are out of their control. Even if all the warnings are true, which they’re not, what can you do about it?
Radiation does not “dissipate”. Just as corexit did not make the oil from the BP Gulf oil spill “disapeer”.
How much money do you get paid to infiltrate web site comment sections, and spread evil?
Radiation absolutely dissapates… perhaps a better term would be diluted. To take a given amount of material that is radioactive and dilute it in a massive body of water reduces or eliminates all together the risk – depending on the original amount. I suggest you follow the link gdbear65 provided and read the analysis… it’s about critical thinking and dealing with FACTS… not emotions. There may be very REAL effects and consequences from what’s happened – but the point is (was) that THIS PARTICULAR article is riddled with fallicies and a lack of basic logic.
Senior Scientist, Ken Buessler,in marine chemistry at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution in Massachusetts:
Buessler and other experts say this much is clear: Both short-lived radioactive elements, such as iodine-131, and longer-lived elements — such as cesium-137, with a half-life of 30 years — can be absorbed by phytoplankton, zooplankton, kelp, and other marine life and then be transmitted up the food chain, to fish, marine mammals, and humans. Other radioactive elements — including plutonium, which has been detected outside the Fukushima plant — also pose a threat to marine life
… and so we’ve established that Buessler (et al) believe that some radioactive elements can be absorbed by the bottom of the food chain and up to the larger animals. And therefore, since there was an accident where some of these isotopes were released then it follows that our food supply is ruined, is that it? Or can you quote another expert who can actually quantify the results in terms of how much was released, how much has been detected in samples (compared to before-accident levels) and also determine what the dangerous levels are. I’m nervous (seriously) , but I’m not going to run around writing articles and making claims like this article makes without acquiring the facts to substantiate those claims. This is the point.
” Even if all the warnings are true, which they’re not, what can you do about it?” Are you suggesting that we all go to sleep and allow our species, indeed all species, to allow the big science for profit industry funded by big banks to destroy us all?
For one thing, you could join your local environmental groups, for another, you could learn the names of your elected officials and write to them of your concerns. You could stay in touch with the latest news from various sources concerning the Fukushima disaster and make attempts to educate yourself and your community. .
and you’ve done all that? How about an FB page?
Why can I not share this on the internet???????
Ok, did that… sorry. It is worth sharing to everyone!!!!!!!!
Why is there not a Facebook link for this important article???
In part because I live five minutes by bicycle from the California coast, I am also very concerned about Fukushima.
But gdbear65 makes good points, and does so in a professional manner; I just read the article he suggests, written by a biologist/geneticist, and I recommend it:
http://www.southernfriedscience.com/?p=15903
Whether one agrees with gdbear65 or not, the puerile attacks on his character sabotage a reasonable discussion.
The greatest danger from Fukushima could come as a result of the extremely dangerous (but necessary) Reactor 4 fuel rod removal (from the spent fuel pool) beginning now.
This site updates multiple times per day; the headlines can be occasionally overwrought, but the actual content is solid, and regularly links to highly-credentialed experts, such as retired nuclear engineer Arnie Gundersen of Fairewinds Energy Education:
All the banter is worth the read. Journalism is an art and a science. Art is creativity, an absolute genius. To be thoughtful about intelligence and the way one uses Words To Emphasize a point is down to an exact science. This article, and every comment, was able to reach multitudes of people. Radiation is real, and its harmful, and completely toxic. Scientifically speaking, or rationally speaking, would anyone really open a can of Tuna if there was a big radioactive warning label on it?
American culture is geared towards fear. We are built on the concept of freedom, however it is amazing how caged most Americans feel. They read the newspapers and all the signs, and still some people are blind to the “bigger picture”. In other words, think of those in need first. Countless people are working on this cleanup and are risking their lives everyday to try and revert a world so warped. We MUST salute them. Those people risk their lives everyday, so that our children and our children’s children can live out a fulfilling and healthy natural life. We are entitled to know what poisons are in our foods, and our water. United we must stand on this issue. Locally, regionally and globally. Individuals, please take personal responsibility for individual choices. And let us all be a little more environmentally conscious. Treat others as we would like to be treated. In solidarity, Sister Hail Mary.
I am already seeing wild salmon prices make a huge jump after this disaster. I used to be able to buy wild salmon but not any more at 20 dollars a pound. I asked the guy at our health food store why the price change, and he just shrugged his shoulders…
He shrugged his shoulders because he didn’t know… of all the gazillions of causes of the fluctuation in salmon prices he wasn’t sure. But you are, apparently. It’s gotta be FUKASHIMA! Wow… thanks for enlightening us.
GO TO: RadiationNetwork Dot Comm. They have an interactive map that updates every 5 minutes as to the radion exposure locations and threat levels, throughout the entire USA. Put this Web Link on your smart phone as well for easy access while you are Mobile.
Should we all pack up and head off into a self contained spaceship?
Japanese robots are unable to tell when to protect national image and when truth must be told. The ability to discern has not been programmed into the brain of the robots or have been lost.
Much has to change to the Japanese psyche.
Some time ago I posted that California should prepare for the onslaught of radiation from the tragedy in Japan. The water that continues to leak from the damaged plants and the deadly radiation has made eating fish caught in the Pacific Ocean for the coming years a not to eat commodity for this table. Not one news or Government Agency is covering the event or sending any scientific expedition to the middle of the Pacific Ocean to investigate the radiation levels. We will need the coverage soon, but we have no policy for getting anything done, and after two years of the ocean spreading these particles someone needs to knock on the door.
I see that Japan says all is OK, and we are agreeing, but when will we learn the truth.
My letter to Greenpeace USA:
This is a personal message to Greenpeace USA and what your doctrine has meant to me for as long as I can remember, now I need your help.
Since the earthquake and tsunami-damaged Japan’s nuclear plants and with the radiation spreading over this past two years and our Government seems not concerned, and takes Japan’s word that all is “A OK”.
What would it take with all the Russian problems that you’re having to do a study for America? The logic behind it is overwhelming, from the drop & cover in the early days to Three Mile Island, Chernobyl, the SL-1 Accident, and now Fukushima Daiichi which worries us.
I can muster thousands of supporters hoping that you can see the ramifications, not as a political statement, but as a supporter of world events. Please don’t be condescending, we need answers.
Thank you for your time!
Love reading all your comments and learning.
But, what ARE we going to do about it?
Should we abandon the building of nuclear plants?
Should we close all that exist?
BTW – where does all the ‘waste’ from these facilities go?
A peer reviewed epidemiological study has been done on babies born in California during and post Fukushima. It reveals elevated incidence of hyperthyroidism, which is a precursor to thyroid cancer. since Chernobyl similar studies have been done in Belorus and have given the same results. Russian scientists have proved through their research that 1 millions deaths have been caused by the radiation from the Chernobyl disaster
The north pacific is probably a giant dead zone by now .it already has a giant garbage pach .PS radio active decaying ions tend to cling to planckton …the food base of every living creature at sea and those who depend apon it .. it is described in the Apocalispe => 1/3 of the seas ill be bitter …
your EPA raises the “acceptable level “everytime some man-made ecological disaster occurs …lol !!!
We are a dying planet, at the hands of humans.
SOLVING FUKUSHIMA …. Geology fish farmer UTUBE in Pacific Rim.. see it.