Health Dept: No Radiation Risk for Bermuda

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.”

Bermuda To Take Part in Tsunami Drill

Bermuda will join other localities in the Caribbean as a participant in a tsunami response exercise tomorrow [Mar.23]

The purpose of this exercise is to evaluate local tsunami response plans, increase tsunami preparedness, and improve coordination throughout the region.

“The 2011 Japan earthquake and Pacific-wide tsunami have reminded the world again of the urgent need to be more prepared for such events,” said Dr. Mark Guishard, Director of the Bermuda Weather Service.

“This important exercise will test the current procedures of the Tsunami Warning System and help identify operational strengths and weaknesses in each community.”

The exercise, titled CARIBE WAVE 11/LANTEX 11, will simulate a widespread Tsunami Warning and Watch situation throughout the Caribbean which requires implementation of local tsunami response plans. It is the first such international exercise in the Caribbean region. The exercise will include public notification, via the dissemination channels routinely used for weather information.

The exercise will simulate a major earthquake and tsunami generated 25 miles southeast of Fajardo, Puerto Rico and 55 miles southeast of San Juan, Puerto Rico at 10:00am Atlantic Daylight Time on March 23, 2011. Tsunami messages will be issued to the relevant local agencies from the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center, the interim Regional Tsunami Watch Provider for the non-US countries in the Caribbean Sea and Adjacent Regions.

Participants in this exercise include the Bermuda Weather Service [operated by BAS-Serco Ltd. on behalf of the Government of Bermuda], Bermuda Maritime Operations Centre, Bermuda Police Service, and the Department of Airport Operations.

The exercise is sponsored by the UNESCO/IOC Intergovernmental Coordination Group for Tsunami and Other Coastal Hazards Warning System for the Caribbean and Adjacent Regions, the Caribbean Emergency Management Agency, the Centro de Coordinación para la Prevención de los Desastres Naturales en América Central, the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and by the U.S. National Tsunami Hazard Mitigation Program.