ABC’s ‘20/20’ Tackles Radiation Myths

ABC reporter John Stossel featured radiation in his series “Myths, Lies and Downright Stupidity" in the May 12 installment of the news program “20/20.” Stossel refuted the myth that “radiation will kill you” by citing a growing number of researchers asserting that low doses of radiation actually may be beneficial to immune system performance and longevity.

Stossel discussed Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Chernobyl and Three Mile Island. In each case, he said, predictions about death or deformity rates turned out to be grossly inaccurate. Co-founder and former leader of Greenpeace Patrick Moore agreed.

“Not a single person is being killed in the nuclear industry, and people are wanting to ban it. It's pure scare tactics," Moore said.

“So next time someone scares you about radiation,” Stossel concluded, “remember that you are exposed to it all the time without harm, and some people even want more of it.”

UPDATE: There's a discussion going on an ABC message board about Stossel's report. One supporter of nuclear is relying on the facts to take on several anti-nukes about Chernobyl. So stop by and add your thoughts. If you want to read up on the subject first, here are some links:

• Background info about radiation in general.
• Background info on Chernobyl, including the latest United Nations report on the effects of Chernobyl.
• Previous blog post on Chernobyl.

Technorati tags: Nuclear Energy, Nuclear Power, Environment, Energy, Politics, Technology, ABC, Radiation