Reply #158: little protection for radiation exposure

[divvy]

There is little protection for radiation. Protective clothing is really only intended to prevent the spread of contamination, taking material from a high rad area to a low rad area. The only way to shield from most of this radiation is many inches of lead. I am sure that they are wearing full face air filter masks or Scott Air Packs to prevent breathing in particulate contamination. It is my understanding that all of the site heroes are volunteers from the plant and military. They have volunteered to try to save their country. It was in danger if nobody stepped forward. I think that they are doing everything they can to prevent dangerous over exposures... at least some of the workers have received dangerous overdoses due to sudden increases in radiation levels. The most recent stepped in some very radioactive liquid and was immediately sent to a hospital. They have also rotated in replacements... the original 50 has probably grown to 3x that, or more. Most of these workers have or will probably receive their lifetime radiation exposure... some may have radiation sickness... I doubt if any die directly from their exposure, though they will be at increased risk of getting cancer. I have no doubt -- if nobody responded to this accident, much of Japan would have had to be evacuated and the public would be exposed to a lot more radiation. I have been frustrated at not seeing more external support for the accident response, but maybe it is there and it just hasn't been reported. These guys and maybe some gals onsite are heroes and they are risking their lives... no question in my mind. They won't intentionally give anyone a lethal dose, but the situation is not stable and they know that a lethal exposure could happen at any time. We are fortunate that there are so many people willing to step forward and try to save their country. They are at war with a disaster that will show them no mercy. Walking away was never an option.