Member-only story

Consequential Damages of Nuclear War: The Rongelap Report

Mario Benedetti

·9.8k Followers· Follow

Published in Barbara Rose Johnston

4 min read · 2 weeks before

1.5k View Claps

82 Respond

Save

Listen

The devastating effects of nuclear war extend far beyond the initial blast. The long-term consequences, as revealed in the Rongelap Report, paint a grim picture of the horrors inflicted upon the innocent victims of nuclear tests.

Consequential Damages of Nuclear War: The Rongelap Report

by Barbara Rose Johnston

4.1 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	10076 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	289 pages

The Rongelap Report, a comprehensive study published in 1982, examines the aftermath of the nuclear tests conducted by the United States at Bikini Atoll in the Marshall Islands. The report documents the devastating health effects and environmental contamination that plagued the Rongelapese people, who were exposed to high levels of radiation during the tests.

Health Effects

The Rongelapese people suffered a wide range of health problems as a result of their exposure to radiation, including:

Increased risk of cancer, including thyroid cancer, leukemia, and other types of tumors
Skin problems, such as blistering, peeling, and burns
Eye problems, such as cataracts and conjunctivitis
Reproductive problems, such as sterility and birth defects
Developmental disabilities and intellectual impairment

The report also found that the health effects of radiation exposure were cumulative, meaning that the longer people were exposed to radiation, the more severe their health problems became.

Environmental Devastation

In addition to the health effects, the nuclear tests also caused widespread environmental devastation in the Rongelap Atoll.

The tests resulted in the contamination of soil, water, and vegetation with radioactive isotopes
The marine ecosystem was severely damaged, leading to a decline in fish populations and other marine life
The land became uninhabitable, forcing the Rongelapese people to abandon their ancestral homeland

The environmental damage caused by the nuclear tests has persisted for decades, and the Rongelap Atoll remains largely uninhabitable today.

The Rongelap Report is a chilling reminder of the devastating consequences of nuclear war. The horrors inflicted upon the Rongelapese people are a testament to the long-lasting and far-reaching effects of nuclear weapons.

As we strive to prevent nuclear proliferation and the use of nuclear weapons, we must never forget the lessons learned from the Rongelap Report. We must work tirelessly to ensure that these weapons are never used again, and that future generations are spared the horrors that befell the innocent victims of nuclear war.

Consequential Damages of Nuclear War: The Rongelap Report

by Barbara Rose Johnston

4.1 out of 5