The recent nuclear reactor accident in Japan after the earthquake and the tsunami, unfortunately showed once again how vulnerable mankind can be. These tragic events, bring to our memory the Chernobyl nuclear plant accident.

People exposed to high levels of radiation have serious health problems. The higher the dose and the shorter the time interval during which the dose was received, the lesser are the chances of survival.  

Radiation can damage many systems of the human body. The ill effects may be immediate or take some time to appear. The results are among others the functional insufficiency of vital organs such as the skin and the bone marrow.

Additionally the thyroid gland accumulates radioactive iodine that is absorbed by the body. Radioactive iodine is abundant in the surrounding regions after a nuclear plant accident. It is contaminating food and milk and entering in this way the human body.

As we know from the Chernobyl experience, children, infants, pregnant woman and fetuses are more vulnerable to the ill effects of radioactive iodine. Their risk for developing thyroid gland cancer is greatly increased.

Read more about the consequences of radioactive fallout after nuclear plant accidents, in the article Radiation risks to health that you will find attached with our 98th Progressive Insurance Newsletter.

It is necessary to reexamine the issue of nuclear energy. It is as well imperative that all people together, request from their governments stricter controls on nuclear plants safety. Alternative sources of energy should be considered and further development of nuclear energy should be constrained.

As it was shown from the recent Japanese tragedy, there are unpredictable events that may overwhelm all measures that were put in place for disaster prevention. Nuclear catastrophes have lasting effects for many years and huge numbers of people can be affected.

In the global village that we are living today, an event at a distant place can have a serious and lasting impact on everybody on the planet. Therefore it is up to all of us, to work together for a safer future for us, our children and the future generations. 

Takis A. Haggiandreou
Director

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