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Controversy reigns over transparency on animal and bird studies at Fukushima
Once again, the Japanese governement has been called to task for failing to study, or encourage study, of Fukushima's evacuation zone. International researchers have initiated work on bird populations which will be continued in February. The work of Japanese researcher Dr Bin Mori who conducted studies on spiders and insects has not been widely reported. Although, reports of the effects of radiation on the animals of Fukushima did make a brief appearance in the news.
What does seem to be clear is that the area around Fukushima shares far too many similarities to Chernobyl's exclusion zone for comfort. The idea that it will be safe for people to return seems very unlikely. More a product of government wishful thinking and denial than fact.
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Bird Population in Collapse Near Fukushima l Common Dreams 3 february, 2012
An upcoming study shows the future for birds and insect life around Fukushima has been badly damaged, an ominous sign of things to come.
The study, set to be published next week in Environmental Pollution, looked at 14 species of birds common to Fukushima and Chernobyl. David McNeill writes in the Irish Times:
Researchers working in the irradiated zone around the disabled Fukushima nuclear plant say bird populations there have begun to dwindle, in what may be a chilling harbinger of the impact of radioactive fallout on local life.
In the first major study on the impact of the world’s worst nuclear crisis in 25 years, the researchers from Japan, the US and Denmark say that analysis of 14 species of birds common to Fukushima and Chernobyl shows the effect on numbers is worse in the Japanese disaster zone. [..]
Timothy Mousseau and Anders Pape Moller say their research there uncovered major negative effects among the local bird population, including reductions in longevity, male fertility and birds with smaller brains.
Many species show “dramatically” elevated DNA mutation rates, developmental abnormalities and extinctions, they add, while insect life has been significantly reduced.
