Chernobyl Nuclear Accident Congressional Hearings Transcript

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have it go through a peer review process to determine the validity
of the analysis.
As of this time, again, it is not at all clear to me what obligation
the United States has to do an analysis of the number of deaths in
the Soviet Union?
Senator Metzenbaum. Is it that maybe the Government does not
want to find out?
Mr. Myers. No, not at all.
Senator Metzenbaum. Maybe there is a concern that toes might
be stepped on? Even if his figures are wrong—assume they are
high—but it would be very disturbing to the American people if
they knew that the Chernobyl accident will probably result in x
number of deaths and cancers. Are we not entitled to that information?
Mr. Denton. Senator, perhaps I can help a little on that. In the
forthcoming IAEA meeting with the Soviets, it is my understanding
that there will be coverage of the consequences of the accident,
and I understand the World Health Organization will be involved,
and another U.N. organization which specializes in radio effects
will be involved. I would expect those two medically oriented
groups would be the ones who would, with Soviet cooperation, document
what the consequences of that accident were on the Soviet
people.
Other countries, such as Sweden, are actively doing the kind of
thing that you are talking about now; the countries who are most
effected are doing it, and I would suspect that somewhere down the
road the World Health Organization will probably issue a report
that brings together all the biomedical information on what the
consequences were.
Senator Metzenbaum. When do you think that might be?
Mr. Denton. I think it will be at the earliest, late this year, after
the Soviets have provided the necessary information.
Senator Metzenbaum. I think you are both touching upon the
concerns that I have. Ms. Walker has a comment, but one of the
concerns I have is that, as that article that Senator Bumpers was
reading indicated. Three Mile Island fades off into the distance and
people forget about it, and don't concern themselves, and they are
not nearly as alarmed now. Chernobyl is on the front pages for a
while, and it fades. In 3, 6 or 9 months from now, it will be but a
vague memory.
I think that what bothers some of us is the fact that there is
going to be a task force and there is going to be a meeting of the
World Health Organization and a meeting of the IAEA, and there
is going to be this and that, but the fact is, some things can be determined
on a much more expedited basis, and although there
might be an inability to give the exactitude that is wanted, the fact
is that there ought to be some knowledge as to how many lives
were endangered, how many cancers will result from Chernobyl,
and I believe that what we get from the people at the NRC, EPA,
and the other Energy Departments is just sort of a laid-back attitude.
We put things in the Embassy and we are checking into it; no
sense of urgency, no sense of real concern. I know I, as one individual,
am concerned about the safety of my grandchildren. I am con-