Effects Of Radiation Across The Pacific

Submitted By ericvargas412
Words: 888
Pages: 4
Open Document
Radiation Across the Pacific On Friday, March 11, 2011, a catastrophic earthquake hit Japan on the coast of Tohoku. This was the biggest earthquake to ever hit Japan, with a magnitude of 9.0. It caused a massive tsunami with waves reaching heights over 130 ft. This resulted in 15,833 deaths, 6,150 injuries, and 2,651 people missing. (Wiki) It was a tragic event that devastated the country of Japan. Buildings were destroyed, houses were submerged in water, and many were left without electricity or clean water. Radiation exposure as a result of the earthquake has not only affected the locals of Japan but has also made its way to our west coast. This radiation could lead to lasting health problems to those exposed and is harmful to the environment. The 2011 Japan earthquake also affected thousands in another way. The earthquake caused a huge accident at the Fukushima I Nuclear Power Plant. The explosions triggered by the earthquake caused equipment failure, nuclear meltdowns, and the release of nuclear materials. (Lipscy) It also caused nuclear reactors to break down and expose the nuclear waste to the air and Pacific Ocean. (Romero) Although no confirmed health effects have been recorded from the public, there is no guarantee that health problems won’t arise later due to the exposure of radiation from the accident. Most health problems from radiation develop years after initial exposure. The most common health problem from radiation exposure is cancer, which doesn’t develop until much later.

According to recent observations, this radiation exposure did not stay in Japan. The Pacific jet stream carries the weather and water from the east coast of Asia to the west coast of North America. (Romero) Much of the radiation released from the accident at the Fukushima I Nuclear Power Plant is making its way to the coast of southern California. Tourists and locals enjoying the southern California beaches are being exposed to radiation from the accident. According to the Huffington Post, “From airborne radiation to contaminated seafood, fears persisted that the Japanese nuclear accident would have lasting consequences for Americans.” (Gerken). The risk of cancer is higher for anyone in the area hit by the radiation. It is not only hazardous for those exposed but also for any offspring they may have. Effects of the radiation include physical deformities and mental disabilities.
Along with being harmful to people exposed, these radiation leaks are also harmful to the environment. The ocean life, ecosystem, and waters are all affected by the radiation. There have been recordings of seafood in the area testing positive for radiation. Scientists have found sea animals to be bleeding from their eyes, torso, and fins. (Turner) This too is a health risk for anyone who consumes the sea food. Water in the area is becoming contaminated, including some of the drinking water in the southern California cities. This water is dangerous to consume, bathe, or swim in due to the amount of radiation. The effects of the radiation hitting the west coast are difficult to manage, as the radiation is not in one centralized location. (Turner) It is also hard to contain it from spreading in the ocean. According to sources of the Huffington Post, it could take months for the radiation to clear out the area. (Gerken)
These recent accidents with nuclear radiation are the few of many hazardous accidents to have occurred in recent years. Many people still remember British Petroleum’s oil leak in the Gulf of Mexico a couple of years ago. These accidents have damaging effects on our ocean, marine life, and pose serious long-term health concerns. As scientists, it is important to acknowledge the importance of human safety preserving the environment. Although earthquakes
Show More

Related Documents: Effects Of Radiation Across The Pacific

Nuclear Testing Argumentative Essay

The U.S. decided to move testing to New Mexico and Nevada because testing in the Pacific was too expensive (Cimbala). This caused a stir of public reaction. Most of the reaction was very negative, causing the U.S. to come up with supportive propaganda (Cimbala). The propaganda centralized around three main points: 1. Testing was crucial…

Words 1694 - Pages 7

Paragraphs Chernobyl Essay

was built near an artificial lake and was there for the purposes of cooling the reactors. Jenny: The Chernobyl accidents effects when very severe for humans. The radiation affected the children. Many were born with birth­defects. Such as brain tumors and mutations to the body. The radiation affected mobility and brain functioning. Even after 20 years the effects of the Chernobyl accident are still there. Vanessa: Operations in the reactor at Chernobyl…

Words 2563 - Pages 11

The Fukushima Dai-ichi Power Plant Meltdown: Impacts on Japan and Global Industries Essay

The Fukushima Dai-ichi Power Plant Meltdown: The Impacts on Japan and Global Industries A Term Paper Presented to MBA 502: Emerging Issues in Global Business Stuart School of Business Illinois Institute of Technology In Partial Fulfillment Of the Requirements of the Degree Masters of Business Administration By John Spearman Spring 2013 Abstract This paper examines the role of the Fukushima Dai-ichi Power Plant meltdown on global business. In recent years the nuclear…

Words 5690 - Pages 23

Cargo Cults Influence On American Culture

During World War II American troops moved from island to island through the Pacific. They did this to slowly gain territory they could use as bases and fueling ports for planes against Japan. In doing so they found tribes that had been isolated from the outside world and had not gone through the transformations and revolutions that the rest of the world went through. This meant that the isolated people were still using basic outdated methods and tools. The soldiers that were at the islands had…

Words 1593 - Pages 7

Chapter 6GEG Essay

Chapter 6 Atmospheric Moisture, Precipitation and Weather Systems Water-Vapor-Precipitation System Powered entirely by heat from solar radiation. In order for this matter to become rain/snow, it must first be converted to a liquid or solid form. 1) Land Evaporation/Ocean Evaporation 2) Condensation: requires cooling, first visible evidence, being clouds. Vapor to liquid phase. Occurs when the air is cooled below its dew-point temperature where air would be saturated and contains all the water…

Words 1176 - Pages 5

Types Of Clouds Form In The Stratosphere

photograph clouds, they provide scientists with a great deal of physical information about the earth and its atmosphere. Satellites 5. _____ and _____ are the primary means for cooling the nighttime air near the ground. radiation and conduction 6. (also called radiation frost) refers to the white ice crystals, loosely deposited on the ground or exposed objects, that form on cold clear nights when heat losses into the open skies cause objects to become colder than the surrounding air. Hoar…

Words 3815 - Pages 16

Essay Paper

of innocent people ever be considered "justified"? Yes, if one considering these circumstances related to fighting in the pacific in WWII the dropping of the atomic bomb on Hiroshima and Nagasaki was militarily and morally justified. Get Japan out of occupied lands during this time period Japan had become a great military power. They conquered many islands in the Pacific including the Philippines. The Philippines was where the infamous Bataan Death March occurred. Many American and Filipino soldiers…

Words 1542 - Pages 7

Atomic Bomb Essay

was dropped over Nagasaki. The effects of dropping the bombs killed thousands of people in Hiroshima and Nagasaki. About half of these deaths occurred on the first day of the bombings, but within a few months many more people were dying from the radiation, the effects of the burns, and other illness. The Japanese finally surrendered to the Allies on August 15, 1945. On September 2, they signed the Instrument of Surrender, thus ending World War II. After these bombings, Japan adopted principles…

Words 3199 - Pages 13

Essay about Macroevolution Of Sharks Final

Macroevolution of Selachimorpha BSC 413-101 Dr. Fet Austin Swayde Carpenter Sharks, (SuperOrder Selachimorpha of the Domain Eukarya, Kingdom Animalia, Phylum Chordata, Class Condrichtyes, and Subclass Elasmobranchii) are one of evolution’s most enduring success tales. Sharks have prowled all of Earth’s seas over the globe for almost 400 million years, making them older than most insects, amphibians, reptiles, and even flowers. Even at an older origin, their success is represented in somehow outlasting…

Words 4579 - Pages 19

Environmental Geography: Geology, Minerals, And Mining

that make them up are heated, melted, cooled, broken, and reassembled, forming… Igneous rocks (forms when magma cools) Sedimentary rocks (forms when coal and limestone weathers away) Metamorphic rocks (forms with temperature and pressure) V. Circum-Pacific Belt (aka ‘Ring of Fire’) 9 out of 10 earthquakes and over half of the world's volcanoes occur along this 40,000km arc of subduction zones and fault systems VI. Mining The systematic removal of rock, soil, or other material for the purpose of attracting…

Words 1323 - Pages 6