I fail to see the reasoning behind at least two negative reader responses to the June 15 Kyodo article "34,000 children in Fukushima to get dosimeters."
This is common sense. Workers in the nuclear industry wear dosimeters so they can monitor their radiation exposure, and then take steps to reduce or prevent more radiation exposure if their dosage readings are high. So why not apply this to children?
Problem areas are found by monitoring the population. Children in danger of exceeding their annual exposure limits can be identified and moved if necessary. The source or cause of the radiation exposure can also be identified or confirmed. Meanwhile, data is kept for future populations so that, perhaps, one day people will understand the real effects of radiation.
A child is not going to get hit by a magic radiation beam that suddenly gives him or her cancer. This is a cumulative thing and the risk level we're talking about is somewhere around the level of smoking. Those who cooperate might find that dosimetry will help give them peace of mind.
By the way, if you do smoke, I'm pretty sure that you should quit smoking before worrying about the radiation.
The opinions expressed in this letter to the editor are the writer's own and do not necessarily reflect the policies of The Japan Times.
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