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Thursday, May 24, 2012

Fukushima Radiation Effects

The World Health Organization concludes that radiation doses were generally "below cancer causing levels", while the United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation has concluded to study the effects of Fukushima, with preliminary findings expected next May.

Of course, "below cancer causing levels" is a misnomer.  I don't know if the WHO actually used that phrase or whether the Scientific American reporters employed it.  At our current state of knowledge any amount of radiation increases the risk of cancer (though it's a teeny-weeny increase at small doses).  Our understanding is probabilistic, not deterministic.  A better phrase would be "acceptable levels" or "about background levels" or something like that.

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