WHAT? Join us for an online expert briefing for members of Congress and their staffs, relevant agencies, advocates, journalists, and concerned citizens on the growing problem of radioactive contamination of US food and water and what Congress can do about it.  The briefing features leading researchers and advocates and is organized by the Fukushima Fallout Awareness Network (a project of the National Institute for Science Law & Public Policy) and co-sponsored by the NGOs Beyond Nuclear, Citizens for Health, Ecological Options Network, Food and Water Watch, San Clemente Green, Physicians for Social Responsibility (PSR National as well as PSR’s Greater Boston, Los Angeles, and San Francisco Bay Area chapters).

WHO?  Distinguished experts and leaders presenting at the briefing include:

·      US Congresswoman Cori Bush – Representing Missouri’s 1st Congressional District (invited)

·       Dr. Arjun Makhijani -- Nuclear engineer, President of the Institute for Energy and Environmental Research, author of Exploring Tritium Dangers, member of an independent scientists’ panel commissioned by the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat to review radioactive dumping from Fukushima into the Pacific

·       Prof. Bob Richmond -- University of Hawaii Marine Biologist, expert in biological uptake of radiation in the oceans, member of the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat panel on Fukushima

·       Kimberly Roberson -- Project Director, Fukushima Fallout Awareness Network (FFAN). She served on the board of National Association of Nutrition Professionals and helped organize the FFAN Coalition which petitioned FDA for better food regulations following the Fukushima disaster.

·       James Gormley -- President and Senior Policy Advisor of Citizens for Health and a leading consumer health advocate

·       Cindy Folkers -- Radiation and Health Hazard Specialist, Beyond Nuclear (moderating)

WHERE & WHEN?  The briefing will be held via Zoom on Monday, July 15 at 2pm Eastern time.  Registration is required.  For further information and to register, go to https://nislappdc.org/ffan-congressional-briefing/.

WHY? Radioactive contamination stands to get worse due to planned ongoing releases of radioactive wastewater from Fukushima into the Pacific Ocean. Despite this, there are currently no binding FDA standards, very little testing or monitoring that has been made public, a lack of transparency about any such testing, and no labeling or other information available to US consumers about radioactivity in their food that can guide their choices. Food from Japan that exceeds Japan's radioactivity standards and can't be sold there is nonetheless sold and served to US consumers here and to US service men and women overseas. Congress can and should use its oversight of the FDA and other powers to confront and ameliorate this growing public health threat.

Mary Beth Brangan and James Heddle co-direct EON, the Ecological Options Network. EON is a co-sponsor of this event. 

The EON feature film documentary SOS – The San Onofre Syndrome: Nuclear Power’s Legacy, by filmmakers Brangan, Morgan Peterson and Heddle, was awarded the Grand Jury Award for Feature Documentary at last October’s Hollywood Awareness Film Festival.  SOS has also garnered the International Uranium Film Festival’s award for Best Educational Documentary as well as two Outstanding Excellence awards. SOS is now available for on-line streaming on many platforms, including Amazon Prime.  For links to view and more information about the issue, please visit the SOS Website.

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