Say no to nuclear power

It is not surprising that a young girl from Papua New Guinea’s Trobriand Islands should develop cataracts (Mandy’s miracle, December 5). Cataracts are a symptom of radiation poisoning and these islands are close to Bikini and Enewetak atolls where 23 nuclear devices were detonated by the United States between 1946 and 1958. It is very possible that radiation spread throughout Micronesia to other islands and are still affecting children nearby.

There is no safe dose for radiation. Each dose is cumulative and adds to the risk of cancer and genetic disease. Children are 10-20 times more vulnerable to carcinogenic effects of radiation than adults. Females are more sensitive than males. World famous physician Dr Helen Caldicott has been raising awareness about the risks for children from nuclear radiation. I applaud Dr Keith Maslin for helping Mandy regain her sight and encourage him to look at the connection with nuclear testing in that region. We all need to help the children of the world by saying no to nuclear power and nuclear weapons and moving to a fossil free energy system to reduce global warming.

ANGELA HAIR

Havelock North