Joanne Chan Channel NewsAsia 14 Mar 11;
SINGAPORE: It would take conditions like a complete meltdown of Japan's reactors and a continuous fire for a radioactive cloud to reach Singapore, said nuclear experts to ease concerns about Singapore being affected by a radioactive fallout.
Singapore's National Environment Agency had said on Sunday that the country is unlikely to be affected, as the incident is taking place some 5,000 kilometres away.
However, SMSes have been circulating, warning people not to expose themselves to rain as it may carry radioactive particles that can burn or even cause cancer. Other messages caution people to remain indoors and swab iodine on their neck to prevent radiation.
Experts say such messages are causing unnecessary fear, as such a worst case scenario is unlikely because it requires a complete meltdown of Japan's reactors.
Dr Benjamin Sovacool, assistant professor at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, said that out of 66 nuclear accidents that have occured in the past, only the Chernobyl incident resulted in the wide dispersal of radioactive material.
"It burned for more than four days in Chernobyl, which is why elements dispersed so far. In the case of Japan, it's more than likely that if there's a type of explosion, they would contain it relatively quickly. Which means South Korea, or maybe some parts of China will be hit, but not Singapore," said Dr Sovacool.
Even with this worst case scenario, Singapore will likely have advance warnings.
"It would take weeks, at least days, for any radioactive cloud to leave Japan and make it here, unless wind speeds were to get to tsunami-like speeds. Again, we will have lots of advanced warnings. Even if the worse case scenario were to happen, there would be time to talk about taking pills and changing behaviour," said Mr Sovacool.
Separately, The Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority have confirmed Japanese food products exported before last Friday are safe.
These include products currently in the market and those which arrived in Singapore over the last few days.
However, as a precautionary measure, samples of fresh produce from Japan after Friday will be tested.
- CNA/cc
Bogus SMSes about radiation causing panic and fear
Joanne Chan Today Online 15 Mar 11;
SINGAPORE - It had to happen. Amid fears of a radioactive fallout from Japan, some people here have been receiving bogus and misleading SMSes.
One hoax message making the rounds claimed that "radiation may hit the Philippines" and "Asian countries should take necessary precautions".
Another bogus message warned people not to be caught in the rain as rain drops may contain radioactive particles that could burn or even cause cancer. That message also urged people to remain indoors and to swab iodine on their necks to prevent radiation contamination.
Sales manager Leong Hoon Kee, 59, who received one such message, said he was so concerned that he forwarded it to friends and family, without verifying its accuracy.
Experts warned that such messages could cause unnecessary fear and panic.
Nuclear expert Dr Benjamin Sovacool said: "You would have to have a much more serious core meltdown. That would actually destroy the containment vessel, expose radioactive elements to the air. Now that's only happened once in all history of nuclear accidents."
Dr Sovacool, an Assistant Professor at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, said in a study of 66 nuclear accidents in the last 50 years, only one reactor experienced a complete meltdown, and that was Chernobyl in the Ukraine.
In the case of Japan, it is more than likely that, if there is a Chernobyl-type of explosion, it would be contained relatively quickly. However, South Korea and some parts of China could be at risk.
Singapore's National Environment Agency had said on Sunday that the Republic was unlikely to be affected, as the crisis is about 5,000km away. Joanne Chan
