positives, page-4

Extracts from the UK Times:

"Only 56 people have died as a direct result of radiation released in the 1986 Chernobyl nuclear power plant accident, and the final death toll could be thousands fewer than originally feared, the UN nuclear watchdog said.

However, anxiety caused by fear of death and illness from radiation poisoning is causing major mental health problems among the affected population and such worries "show no signs of diminishing and may even be spreading," the agency said, citing a new report compiled by 100 scientists.

Persistent myths and misperceptions about the threat of radiation have resulted in ?paralyzing fatalism? among residents of affected areas..

...The report also says there is no evidence of decreased fertility following the accident, nor of any increase in congenital malformations."

Lung cancer caused by smoking was expected to kill three times as many as Chernobyl-related cancers, he added. Among other findings was that poverty, "lifestyle diseases" such as illnesses caused by smoking, drinking and stress "pose a far greater threat to local communities than does radiation exposure," the statement said.

Dr Fred Mettler, one of the scientists behind the report, said that the report offered lessons for any future cases - including any potential radiation release by terrorists - by emphasising issues such as the need for early and accurate information. "It?s a timely document for learning lessons to apply to other areas," he said."


http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/europe/article563041.ece