Fw: Action on DU

FYI the dialogue on DU continues.  Add your 2 cents.
Mahalo.
Jim Albertini
Malu `Aina Center For Non-violent Education & Action
P.O. Box AB
`Ola`a (Kurtistown), Hawaii 96760
Phone 808-966-7622
email ja@interpac.net
www.malu-aina.org

Russ,
We are not dealing with radiation from a nuclear blast of cold war nuclear weapon testing.  DU is much more sinister.  It is the inhalation of small DU oxide particles that is of greatest concern.  Alpha particles breathed in, not external exposure.  You just can't go around and check for an hour here and there and conclude nothing above background therefore PTA can continue business as usual with DU contamination present. 
We know the DU is there.  We do not know the full extent of the contamination.  Likely there are hundreds of Davy Crockette spotting rounds given what was shipped to Hawaii and perhaps other DU rounds as well.  The only way to tell if it is going off base (and we have readings to suggest it is) is to encircle the base with high tech 24/7 air monitors with a paper trail and citizen computer access to the data at all times.  Otherwise we simply are not going to buy your claims, and the military claims, of no problem. The cost of such monitors is peanuts to the $2 billion the military spends PER DAY! waging war and spreading opala like they're doing at PTA.
The scientific reason for you to pursue cessation of activity at PTA is the DU present could be spread off base by live-fire, and other activities that puts dust into the air.  We have already sent you material by radiation expert Dr. Rosalie Bertell strongly critiquing the Army's 6 page DU November 2007 handout.  We also sent you material by Dr. Leonard Dietz and DU being carried more than 26 miles from a plant that simply manufactured 30-mm DU rounds near Albany, N.Y.  That plant has been shut down because it exceeded a NY state radioactivity limit of 150 microcuries (387 g of DU metal) for airborne emissions in a given month.  One DU aircraft 30-mm round contains 272 g of DU metal.   By the way, what is Hawaii's radioactivity limit for airborne emissions in a given month?  Is there a federal standard as well?
 
You have plenty of scientific material to call for a halt to B-2 bombing at PTA and the upcoming major live-fire in February 2008.
From the Dept. of the Army, sadly, we expect very little.  From the Dept. of HEALTH, we expect more.
Mahalo.
Jim Albertini
Malu `Aina Center For Non-violent Education & Action
P.O. Box AB
`Ola`a (Kurtistown), Hawaii 96760
Phone 808-966-7622
email ja@interpac.net
www.malu-aina.org
 
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Wednesday, January 16, 2008 12:58 PM
Subject: RE: Action on DU

Jim,
Too little?  This monitoring system provided key data to the Environmental Radiation Ambient Monitoring System for most of the Cold War period! You have no idea of the requisite actions necessary to ensure the public's health and safety.  But, I will ignore your comment and continue to pursue my efforts to seek the facts for public health and safety. 
 
The bottom line is that there has been no radioactivity detected above background levels in our ambient surveys of the adjacent proximity of PTA on Saddle Road and the communities in Konawaena, Kealakekua, Holualua, Waikoloa, Waikii Ranch, and the Girl Scout camp!  As a matter of fact, the background is quite low.  And therefore, there is no scientific reason for me to pursue cessation of activity at PTA.
 
As I noted in earlier conversations with you, I will give you the facts and will not compromise my integrity for anyone.
 
Have a good day,
Russ
From: Jim Albertini [mailto:ja@interpac.net]
Sent: Wed 1/16/2008 11:56 AM
To: Takata, Russell S.
Cc: Bob Jacobson; Clifton Tsuji; congresswomanmaziehirono@congressionalemaildispatcher.com; Harry Kim; Josh Green; Cindy Evans; Alan McNarie; PCRC; A P; advertiser; Garden Ise; Garden Island; Hawaii Island Journal; Hilo Trib; Hono Weekly; Honolulu Star-Bulletin; Ian Lind; KBOO; Kevin Dayton; kgmb tv9; khnl tv8; KPUA; Maui news; namaka@interpac.net; Rod Thompson; Audrey McAvoy; WestHawaii Today; Honolulu Advertiser; Pacific Business News
Subject: Re: Action on DU

Aloha Russ,
My initial reaction to your news of an initial air monitoring is that it's something but too little.  We citizens, with our own community experts, want in on the decision making process.  We want timely access to all the data as well.  The key thing at the moment is to STOP all activity at PTA (B-2 bombing and major live-fire planned for Feb.) and other places that could spread the radioactivity before a compolete assessment is completed.  You only know that Davy Crockette DU spottings rounds are at PTA.  You have no idea if other DU rounds are there and how many.  You, and elected officials need to speak out on this to the media if you want to maintain any credibility in the community.  Otherwise health and safety of the community is taking a back seat to imperial warmaking.  Is there any meaning left to "national security?"
Jim Albertini
Malu `Aina Center For Non-violent Education & Action
P.O. Box AB
`Ola`a (Kurtistown), Hawaii 96760
Phone 808-966-7622
email ja@interpac.net
www.malu-aina.org
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Wednesday, January 16, 2008 7:56 AM
Subject: RE: Action on DU

Jim,
Happy New Year to you too. 
I have made arrangements with EPA to start initial air monitoring using a well validated protocol and monitor for ambient levels.  We will shake down the equipment and procedures, identify an initial site, and begin operating within thirty days. More later.
Russ 

From: Jim Albertini [mailto:ja@interpac.net]
Sent: Tue 1/15/2008 9:31 PM
To: Takata, Russell S.
Cc: Bob Jacobson; Clifton Tsuji; congresswomanmaziehirono@congressionalemaildispatcher.com; Harry Kim; Josh Green; Cindy Evans
Subject: Action on DU

Aloha Russ,
     Happy New Year to you.  Below is a copy of a recent email I sent to Col. Killian. 
I hereby request you contact U.S. Sen. Dan Inouye and seek funding for first class citizen high tech DU monitors around all confirmed or suspected bases where DU has been used in Hawaii.  Afterall, billions are spent on the war and military build up in Hawaii.  A few million should be available for monitors.  If my math is correct it costs $135,000 in fuel for a B-2 bomber to fly from Guam to Hawaii to drop 2000 lb bombs at PTA risking the spread of DU contamination.  Just stopping a few of those bombing flights would help pay for some monitors.
 
     Russ, we want some positive action.  Stop the live fire military plans for Feb. at PTA.  You and the Army do not even know the full extent of the DU contamination at PTA.  To go forward with live-fire is nuts and shows contempt for the health and safety of the troops who will train there and the citizens of this island.  You need to speak up and stand up now for public health now.
Mahalo.
Jim Albertini
Malu `Aina Center For Non-violent Education & Action
P.O. Box AB
`Ola`a (Kurtistown), Hawaii 96760
Phone 808-966-7622
email ja@interpac.net
www.malu-aina.org
Aloha Col. Killian:
This is to again put in writing our organization's "Citizen DU Action Demands"  that were circulated after the confirmation of DU at Pohakuloa in Aug. 2007 and again presented to you and State DOH employee Russ Takata at the one sided Nov. 18, 2007 meeting on DU. (See below).
I also want to again request a response in writing to the questions I submitted at the Nov. 18, 2007 meeting on DU.  To date I have not received any response.  You give lip service to concerns for health and safety but your actions and lack of actions speak otherwise.
I look forward to a more positive attitude from you and other military people toward the citizens of Hawaii in 2008.
Jim Albertini
Malu `Aina Center For Non-violent Education & Action
P.O. Box AB
`Ola`a (Kurtistown), Hawaii 96760
Phone 808-966-7622
email ja@interpac.net
www.malu-aina.org
 

RADIATION MONITORING IN HAWAII!

On Monday, August 20, 2007 the U.S. Army confirmed the presence of depleted uranium (DU) at the

Pohakuloa Training Area (PTA) in the center of Hawaii Island.

See <http://www.armytimes.com/news/2007/08/ap_hawaiiuranium_070821/> The DU confirmation came

after years of the military denying its presence. Citizen groups kept the pressure on the military and began

doing their own radiation monitoring.

Also see http://www.hawaiitribune-herald.com/articles/2007/08/26/local_news/local03.prt <http://www.hawaiitribune-herald.com/articles/2007/08/26/local_news/local03.prt>
<http://www.hawaiitribune-herald.com/articles/2007/08/26/local_news/local04.prt>

DU is primarily U-238, the isotope of uranium that remains after the fissionable isotope, U-235 has been

extracted from natural urarium ore. DU has a half-life of 4.5 billion years. The military has used DU in spotting rounds for the Davy Crockett nuclear weapon system and these spotting rounds have been fired at Schofield Barracks on Oahu and at PTA on Hawaii Island, perhaps other firing ranges in Hawaii and elsewhere too. Other DU spotting rounds may have been fired. Davy Crockett was just one of approximately 60 different kinds of U.S. nuclear weapons in the U.S. arsenal Training with a wide range of weapon systems has taken place at PTA and other live-fire areas throughout Hawaii. The Davy Crockett may just be the tip of a much larger radiation nightmare for Hawaii residents and visitors alike The military says it has no records on the issue. The U.S. used DU armor and bunker piercing weapons in Iraq, Afghanistan and Kosovo. For more on DU weapons and its hazards

See <http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article18242.htm>

On Tuesday, May 29, 2007 a citizen radiation monitor recorded elevated radiation readings at Mauna Kea State Park adjacent to the military's Pohakuloa Training Area (PTA) in the center of Hawaii Island. The wind on 5/29 blew directly off the live-fire training areas at PTA and dust devils of suspended topsoil were visible in the air. The elevated radiation readings were as high as 75 counts per minute when normal background is 5-20 counts per minute. A number of private citizens are now doing radiation monitoring on Hawaii Island.

It should be noted that Hawaii Island already has a dubious distinction of the nuclear age. According to the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission, of 65 randomly selected worldwide soil samples tested for accumulation of long-lasting plutonium radiation contamination from atmospheric nuclear weapon testing, our Big Island soil ranked NUMBER ONE! Plutonium is one of the most potent carcinogenic substances known. Less than one-millionth of a gram is capable of producing cancer after close exposure. Plutonium has a half-life of 24,000 years, which means it is potentially toxic to humans for at least a half million years. As plutonium is concentrated in the ecological food chain, people can absorb significant quantities. It is preferentially stored in the liver and bone marrow and can cross the placenta into the unborn fetus. (To read the above AEC report see Nature Magazine, Vol. 241, February 16, 1973.)

It should also be noted that the Navy acknowledges discharging millions of gallons of radioactive liquid waste into Pearl Harbor on Oahu and dumping over two thousand 55-gallon steel drums of radioactive solid waste on the ocean floor off Hawaii's shores. What effects such pollution may have on marine life and, in turn, the health and safety of Hawaii's people is simply not clear. But it is commonly accepted that there is no safe level of radiation. (See the book "The Dark Side of Paradise" by Albertini, et. all page 18.)

Military Clean-Up NOT Build-Up!

CITIZEN ACTION DEMANDS

1. Immediate halt to all live-fire and any activity that creates dust at Schofield

Barracks, Pohakuloa and other military ranges in Hawaii until there is a

complete assessment and clean up of the DU present. Further live-fire and

other activities could result in the spread of airborne DU particles which are

particularly hazardous if inhaled.

2. Citizen monitors, including Dr. Lorrin Pang MD, former attorney, OHA

trustee, and nuclear worker Clarence Ku Ching, and Jim Albertini or some

other representative from the peace movement to be involved in the DU

assessment and monitoring process to assure transparency and community

confidence.

3. The establishment of permanent, continuous, high tech counts per minute

(cpm) monitors (at the Army's expense) but independently operated

around range impact area where the real-time data is available to the public

on line.

4. Testing (at Army expense) for DU exposure of PTA and other military

personnel, and members of the civilian community who feel they may have

been exposed to DU. (The U.S. is spending $2 billion a day on the military.

There should be funds available to see if citizens are being contaminated by

its own radioactive weapons.)

5. Ongoing public balanced informational and Q & A meetings involving the

Army, State Dept. of Health, Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), the

Center for Disease Control (CDC), Dr. Lorrin Pang and other

community resource people.

 
 

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