Scientists say nuclear precautions a ‘sham’

Press, 2 August 1983, Page 6

Scientists say nuclear precautions a ‘sham’

PA Hamilton Civil defence would be a sham if there was a major nuclear accident during the visit of the United States warship, Texas, say a group of New Zealand scientists.

The public should not be lulled into thinking the authorities could cope with a reactor meltdown or the accidental detonation of a nuclear warhead, said the Scientists Against Nuclear Arms’ co-ordinator, Dr Peter Wills. Yet health workers were receiving refresher courses in working with radiationdetection equipment, said Dr Wills, who is an Auckland University physics lecturer.

“This raises the question as to what the health workers are being

trained for,” he said. He said he Was not sure whether the pretence of civil defence was just a result of bad thinking on the part of the authorities or a deliberate attempt to lull the public into a sense of false security.

A reactor meltdown on the Texas would produce great volumes of steam which would spread fatal radiation over a wide area, said Dr Wills.

“There is no way civil defence could cope with 20,000 Aucklanders wanting to be decontaminated,” he said.

It was almost impossible to contemplate any disaster comparable to a reactor meltdown or an accidental nuclear explosion. “The only thing I can think of is a huge tidal wave knocking out

Auckland,” said Dr Wills. “I don’t want to sensationalise this ... such events would be unlikely, but the risk is too high. “Don’t forget the major radioactive release at Three Mile Island in 1977. It can happen,” he said.

He said the scientists did not oppose civil defence preparations for a nuclear emergency.

“But the public should know its effectiveness is limited.” If the U.S.S. Texas was not carrying nuclear weapons, then the American Government would be reponsible for subjecting New Zealand people to a great deal of unnecessary worry by refusing to deny their presence, he said. . It was likely the Texas would be carrying weapons, saaid Dr Wills.