The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : Experts allay fears over radiation

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Mar 16, 2011
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Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

Experts allay fears over radiation

Bangalore Bureau

BANGALORE: Nuclear experts have sought to allay fears of radiation leak from tsunami-hit Japan reaching India and causing any harm to people in the country.

“The nuclear leak from Fukushima will never result in a radiation dose that is life-threatening to India,” said K.S. Parthasarathy, Former Secretary, Atomic Energy Regulatory Board, Mumbai.

Considering the distance between the two countries and the wind patterns, even if radiation does reach India, it will be a fraction of the “natural background radiation” that exists around us, he explained. “Radioactivity in the soil, cosmic rays and other sources contribute to a natural background radiation of 2.4 millisieverts (mSv). In the aftermath of the Chernobyl nuclear leak, there was barely a .001 mSv increase detected in India.”

Dr. Parthasarathy's views were also endorsed by nuclear physicist S.K. Sikka, who said it was highly unlikely that the radiation leak nuclear facilities in Japan affecting us here in India.

Japan and India are too far away geographically and even if the winds blow towards India from Japan, the radiation will be very diluted, he said.

SMSs and emails

The reassurances from the nuclear experts assume significance in the wake of SMSs and emails doing the rounds about the possibility of radiation hitting people in Asian countries. Among others, the SMS, attributed to “BBC Flash News”, was even picked up by a Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike councillor who sent it to residents of his ward warning them to take necessary precautions and remaining indoors if it rained.

BBC clarifies

Meanwhile, the BBC on its News and Technology website said the text message was a fake. “BBC has issued no such flash, but the hoax has caused particular panic in the Philippines,” it said.

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