There is currently no need for Bermuda residents to be concerned that they will receive harmful doses of radiation from the events presently underway in Japan, according to the Department of Health who is monitoring the information from the World Health Organization and other authorities on the risk to areas of the world outside of Japan.
A spokesperson said, “The opinion of both the World Health Organization, its global network of radiation specialists, and independent investigators, is that there is minimal risk of immediate danger to areas of the world remote to the current radiation emergency in Japan.”
“Radiation exposure can pose risks to health, dependent on the dose. The dose of radiation is dependent on the distance from the source of radiation. The greater the distance from the source, the lower the dose and the lower the risk of exposure. Thousands of kilometers from the current source of radiation in Japan, as is Bermuda, the dose and risks are negligible. Still, it is understandable that people would have concerns.”
“Health risks from radiation are determined by many variables, some of them unpredictable. We cannot predict how the situation in Japan will evolve, or how much radiation will ultimately be released by the damaged reactors, so it is helpful to understand some basic facts about health risks from radiation.”
“Radiation-related health problems are determined by the amount of exposure to radiation, that is, the dose of radiation over the time of exposure. Exposure in this case is related to many factors: the amount of radiation being released into the atmosphere, the weather conditions (rain and wind), the distance from the radiation source and the length of time of exposure. ”
“Current WHO opinion is that for those living 50 to 100 km from the damaged reactors in Japan, there is a possible risk of health consequences, and evacuation from these areas has been advised. Biologically significant radiation emissions (Iodine 131) will be of concern to people living in Japan, or South Korea and China if the wind shifts and blows on shore or inland.”
“Should we be worried in Bermuda if nuclear reactors in Japan melt down? We should not be worried for our own safety.”
“The longer-lived isotopes, Cesium 137, cobalt 60, might be dispersed if there is a meltdown and these could enter the food chain: thus food inspection agencies will be testing for radioactivity in food from Japan for some time. Currently, in Bermuda there are no imported food items from Japan, so no threat exists to Bermuda residents from food tainted by radiation in Japan.”
“In conclusion there is no need for Bermuda residents to be concerned that they will receive harmful doses of radiation from the events presently underway in Japan. The Department of Health will continue to monitor the situation closely and advise the public when appropriate.”
