VIENNA, 9 April 1996 (GP) Cancer rates are up to 200 times
higher than average in areas contaminated by radiation from
the explosion of the Chernobyl nuclear power station in the
Ukraine on April 26, 1986, according to a Greenpeace report
released today.(1)
The report is being released to coincide with the
International Atomic Energy Agency's (IAEA) Conference
"Chernobyl one decade after".
At the last international meeting organised by the IAEA in
1991 on the consequences of Chernobyl, they concluded "future
increases over the natural incidence of cancers or
hereditary effects would be difficult to discern, even with
large and well designed long term epidemiological
studies"(2). This prediction has proved to be total incorrect.
Most notably:-
* Thyroid cancers in the heavily contaminated areas of
Belarus, in Gomel, have increased to nearly 200 times above
that expected, with the average increase in the country above
100 times, according to OECD figures.(3)
"5 years ago, international institutions were saying that no
health effects from Chernobyl would be detectable, however
already we are seeing undisputed increases in thyroid cancer",
said Eloi Glorieux of Greenpeace International, "What is now
required is open-minded scientists to analyse the prevalence
of other diseases which are beginning to emerge".
In particular the Greenpeace report points to:
* Increases in diseases, such as immune deficiencies, diseases
of the digestive organs, cardiovascular systems and
malignant tumours have all been noted in both some of those
involved in the clean-up (800,000 so called "liquidators")
and some of those living in contaminated areas.
* Several studies have showed a clear relationship between
radiation dose and particular morbidity's (e.g. malignant
tumours) among liquidators. These findings are based on
substantial epidemiological data and cannot be ignored.
In addition to underestimating the health consequences serious
errors have come to light in recent months regarding the
total radioactivity released. Since 1986 international experts
have claimed that the total radioactivity released was around
50 million curies. However in February this year the
Nuclear Energy Agency(NEA), part of the Organisation
for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) reviewed the
discharge and established that 140 million curies was released.
The figures for total land contaminated in the three
republics most affected (Belarus, Russian and Ukraine) range
from 100.000 to 160.000 square kilometres, with the cost to
those countries estimated to rise to a staggering $300
billion, by 2015.
To date an estimated 375 000 people have been relocated with a
further 270 000 requiring evacuation due to the high radiation
levels. In total at least 9 million people have been affected
by the accident.
"It is difficult to comprehend the enormity of the Chernobyl
accident" said Antony Froggatt of Greenpeace International,
"and ten years later the health, environmental and social
costs have not yet peaked and are unlikely to do so for years
if not decades".
Despite the massive media and public attention, the resources
available to the United Nations Trust for Chernobyl have been
exhausted and without further support from the international
community the UN's efforts will simply cease.
"The international community must provide the needed resources
to alleviate some of the suffering caused by Chernobyl," said
Froggatt, "but ultimately Chernobyl demonstrated why nuclear
power is an unacceptable risk to humanity."
[1] Chernobyl 10 Years After, the Consequences. Published by
Greenpeace International as "Chernobyl Paper no.4", April
1996.
[2] The International Chernobyl Project, Assessment of
Radiological Consequences and Evaluation of Protective
Measures. Conclusion and Recommendations of a report by an
international advisory committee, 1991.
For Further Information contact:
Eloi Glorieux in Vienna: ++.43 1 713 00 3121
Antony Froggatt in Kiev: ++.38 0 44 244 38 47
Diederik Samson in Vienna:++.31.6.531.06.595
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