The Consequences of Fukushima

Medical experts criticize UNSCEAR report for playing down consequences of Fukushima nuclear accident

(in German)

Medical experts are critical of the latest UNSCEAR report which plays down health impact of Fukushima nuclear accident

UNSCEAR (the United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effect of Atomic Radiation) recently published a report titled "Sources, Effects and Risks of Ionizing Radiation" with a special focus on levels and effects of radiation exposure due to the nuclear accident after the 2011 Great East-Japan earthquake and tsunami .

The report has received criticism from medical experts who are researching on health effects of radiation. In the interview with 3Sat, Dr. Alex Rosen, a German pediatrician and member of German IPPNW (International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War), harshly criticizes the playing down of radiation impact by UNSCEAR and the nuclear lobby. Professor Wolfgang Hoffmann, a German epidemiologist and radiobiologist, holds views similar to those of Dr. Alex Rosen. He assumes that those who criticize this report would be officially blamed for panic mongering and that any claims for damages and compensation could also be preempted on the basis of this report.

It seems, however, that the report did not receive unanimous support within UNSCEAR. According to Belgian journalist Marc Molitor, the Belgian delegation to UNSCEAR initially criticized the report, claiming that it is minimizing health effects of radiation after the Fukushima nuclear accident . When contacted by 3Sat, however, Dr. Vanmarcke, Chief of Belgian delegation to UNSCEAR, did not wish to talk about the issue which implicates pressure put on him and his delegation by the international nuclear lobby.

Dr. Keith Baverstock, a former researcher at WHO, also commented on the lack of independence of WHO in the research of the health impact of radiation. The existence of the mutual agreement between IAEA and WHO signed in 1959 hinders independent research of WHO on the health effects of radiation .