John Dear on Japan's Tsunami, the Stations of the Cross and Resurrection

Jesuit peace activist John Dear discusses Japan's tsunami, the stations of the cross and resurrection in his weekly National Catholic Reporter column:
  
"Lent is a time to hear Jesus’ call to repent from our participation in systemic injustice and to welcome God’s reign of justice and peace with all our hearts. His call to repentance certainly means turning away from personal sin back toward his grace, but it also includes turning away from social, national, global institutionalized sin. Jesus wants us to reject the systemic injustice that kills millions around the planet. He wants us to change our lives, to start down a whole new path of love, service, nonviolence, and peace." - John Dear


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Do You Know Side Effect of Japan Nuclear


Health effects

What are the acute health effects of radiation exposure?

  • If the dose of radiation exceeds a certain threshold level, then it can produce acute effects, such as skin redness, hair loss, radiation burns, and acute radiation syndrome (ARS1).
  • In a nuclear power plant accident, the general population is not likely to be exposed to doses high enough to cause such effects.
  • Rescuers, first responders and nuclear power plant workers are more likely to be exposed to doses of radiation high enough to cause acute effects.

What long-term effects can be expected from radiation exposure?

  • Exposure to radiation can increase the risk of cancer. Among the Japanese atomic bomb survivors, the risk of leukaemia increased a few years after radiation exposure, whereas the risks of other cancers increased more than 10 years after the exposure.
  • Radioactive iodine can be released during nuclear emergencies. If breathed in or swallowed, it will concentrate in the thyroid gland and increase the risk of thyroid cancer. Among persons exposed to radioactive iodine, the risk of thyroid cancer can be lowered by taking potassium iodide pills, which helps prevent the uptake of the radioactive iodine.
  • The risk of thyroid cancer following radiation exposure is higher in children and young adults.
ARS is a set of signs and symptoms that may develop after whole-body doses above 1 Sv (i.e. about 300 times the annual dose to background radiation). It is related to the damage of the bone marrow, where the blood cells are produced. At higher doses (>10 Sv) other organs may be affected (e.g. gastrointestinal, cardiovascular).
Do you imagine..if the radiation happen in Malaysia..that too dangerous..we hope this radiation do not enter our country..pray for our safety..amin..
SAVE OUR ENVIRONMENT!!

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