"Dangerous Decision" Could Leave Californians Vulnerable After Nuclear Disaster

[bananas]

Source: NBC Los Angeles

Housed in a nondescript office park in Las Vegas, the United States Environmental Protection Agency has an elite team of radiation experts trained to respond to a nuclear disaster. One of their most important tools is a Mobile Environmental Radiation Lab known as the "MERL."

A set of three large vehicles, the MERL can be in Southern California in a matter of hours after a terrorist attack or nuclear accident. And it allows the radiation response team to quickly identify and track dangerous radiation spreading across the region.

"The laboratory would be used to make emergency response decisions as to where people are okay to go, and where they can't go," explains Richard Flotard, a retired EPA radiation chemist.

But the NBC4 I-Team has obtained an EPA internal memo explaining that the agency is moving the mobile lab from Las Vegas to Alabama, leaving the state far removed from what California's Office of Emergency Services calls a "first response" tool in the case of nuclear attack or accident.

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Read more: http://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/Dangerous-Decision-Could-Leave-Californians-Vulnerable-After-Nuclear-Disaster-307086911.html

[RADLAB]

1. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY - DOE

I just retired after 34 years working for University of California contracted to DOE. I was part of a Radiation Assistance Program (RAP). The big western Labs are LBL, LLNL, LANL which all have trained members and equipment for responding to nuclear accidents. My group responded to 9/11, and other requests for assistance. I do not remember EPA sending members to the drills we had with other national laboratory responders. There are also Accident Response Group (ARG) who are ready for "broken arrow" damaged nuclear weapons response. Nellis air force base has a big DOE group which lives in a building bigger then two walmart buildings. I have been there and this group has members at Andrews air force base in D.C. Don't worry because I know the professionals are ready to respond ;0)

[RobertEarl]

2. Did you hear?

The background radiation has increased 600% in the Pacific Ocean since 3/11/11?

[bananas]

4. Congratulations on your retirement. nt

[gopiscrap]

5. Welcome to DU

[Peace Patriot]

3. Hey, how 'bout we train kids to duck under their computer terminals...

...and encourage their Dads to build personal nuclear accident shelters under their homes?

Or............................................................how 'bout we GET RID OF this mind-bogglingly dangerous technology and weaponry?

Jeez.

We think "an elite team of radiation experts trained to respond to a nuclear disaster" is going to save us in a nuclear disaster?