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R!=~ . <br /> <br /> April 'L4, 1997 <br /> '97 APR 24 P(1 1 24 <br /> Dear Council Members: COUNI~~~ _~_~_~;r~ <br /> COUN I Y' Or HAWAII <br /> I am a pediatrician in Hilo, and I am strongly opposed to <br /> the construction of an irradiation facility on the Big Island. <br /> As a pediatrician, my main concern is the health of our <br /> children. An irradiation facility would endanger children in <br /> several ways. <br /> First, the studies of food irradiation have raised <br /> significant doubts in my mind about the health and safety effects <br /> of this process. Specifically, there are changes in proteins and <br /> other food components which occur with irradiation, and these <br /> changes may have effects on health which we do not yet know and <br /> cannot yet be ruled out. There is a long list of agricultural <br /> and industrial processes which at first seemed beneficial and <br /> later proved harmful. Remember DDT? If irradiation were a new <br /> drug, we would require much more extensive testing before <br /> accepting it as safe. <br /> Second, workers in radiation-related occupations have a <br /> higher rate of cancer than other workers, and their children have <br /> a higher rate of birth defects. I have cared for enough children <br /> <br /> with birth defects which were unavoidable. I don't want your <br /> vote for this facility to add unnecessary pain and suffering to <br /> that tragic situation. <br /> Finally, anyone who tells you that on this seismically <br /> active island there is no chance of any accident or leakage in a <br /> plant which uses radiation is either arrogant or ignorant or <br /> both. I did my medical training down the road from Three Mile <br /> Island, and I don't want to relive the terror experienced by my <br /> colleagues and the community there in 1979. <br /> Please, don't let the dazzling light of potential economic <br /> benefit blind us to the very real risks of this undertaking. The <br /> children of Hawaii deserve better. <br /> ~G~ irn <br /> Mark L. Cohen, M.D. <br /> 73 Pu'uhonu Place <br /> Hilo, HI 96720 <br /> Comra. DTo. ' <br /> ?71e IQo.,,~ r~P <br /> ~fYSanro~ <br /> lei. To: <br /> 24 <br /> Rei. Date APR <br /> <br />