HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0212.061 1996-1998 R!=~ .
April 'L4, 1997
'97 APR 24 P(1 1 24
Dear Council Members: COUNI~~~ _~_~_~;r~
COUN I Y' Or HAWAII
I am a pediatrician in Hilo, and I am strongly opposed to
the construction of an irradiation facility on the Big Island.
As a pediatrician, my main concern is the health of our
children. An irradiation facility would endanger children in
several ways.
First, the studies of food irradiation have raised
significant doubts in my mind about the health and safety effects
of this process. Specifically, there are changes in proteins and
other food components which occur with irradiation, and these
changes may have effects on health which we do not yet know and
cannot yet be ruled out. There is a long list of agricultural
and industrial processes which at first seemed beneficial and
later proved harmful. Remember DDT? If irradiation were a new
drug, we would require much more extensive testing before
accepting it as safe.
Second, workers in radiation-related occupations have a
higher rate of cancer than other workers, and their children have
a higher rate of birth defects. I have cared for enough children
with birth defects which were unavoidable. I don't want your
vote for this facility to add unnecessary pain and suffering to
that tragic situation.
Finally, anyone who tells you that on this seismically
active island there is no chance of any accident or leakage in a
plant which uses radiation is either arrogant or ignorant or
both. I did my medical training down the road from Three Mile
Island, and I don't want to relive the terror experienced by my
colleagues and the community there in 1979.
Please, don't let the dazzling light of potential economic
benefit blind us to the very real risks of this undertaking. The
children of Hawaii deserve better.
~G~ irn
Mark L. Cohen, M.D.
73 Pu'uhonu Place
Hilo, HI 96720
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