Japanese government increases radiation exposure level for children

Well, there are different ways to work around disasters and catastrophes. And many of them are simply cowardly cover-ups (kindly remember the BP oil spill last year). One measure of reducing the radiation exposure level in Japan is obviously to increase the maximum exposure level. And what is more disgusting is that now the Japanese government is using this strategy also on children.

The maximum dose for children in schools and kindergarten has now been set to 3.8 microsievert per hour. Do the math. If a kid is exposed to this level 8 hours a day for a year, it is exposed to the same level as the maximum dose of a German nuclear power plant employee (20 millisievert per year).

Haven't we learned that exposure levels for children cannot be compared to the one for adults? Obviously Japan simply wants to avoid legal consequences, but what about ethics, what about their responsibility for the children of their nation, their future leaders and workers?

Per CNN from 04.21.11, "TEPCO told CNN that it cannot say that the nuclear fuel rods at the three reactors have never melted or that they are not melting right now, nor can the company say for certain that the rods have melted or are melting now.

The Japanese government says it has no detailed readings of radiation levels inside the 20-km zone. But journalists who have entered the areas have recorded radiation levels that typically range around a few thousandths of a millisieverts per hour. By comparison, a typical resident of an industrialized country receives about 3 millisieverts per year.

One reporter who came within 2 kilometers of the power plant in early April recorded a dose of about a tenth of a millisievert per hour -- high enough to increase the long-term risk of cancer with prolonged exposure, but a tiny fraction of the dose that would induce radiation sickness".

It is completely and utterly disgusting how people deal with safety, whether it is on a huge scale (BP oil spill or Fukushima) or in our own companies here at home. Regulations and standards are not worth a dime if we find ways around them or allow the government or the top management of our companies to cut corners.

That's why we in the safety profession must never be afraid to speak up and fight for what is right. Let's go out there and do our job!

Meike Patten, MPSafetyTraining