Many question the absence of reliable long-term studies of the effects of irradiated food on humans. Grave threats to the aina Many serious accidents have happened in irradiation facilities which have resulted in injury, contamination of land and water, loss of life and huge clean-up costs borne by taxpayers. The Hawaii Development Irradiator in Honolulu, operated in the late 1960s, had to be closed when most of its Cobalt-60 strips leaked and caused radioactive contamination of the whole facility and areas surrounding the plant. Contamination lasted 12 years before it was cleaned up. Even when operating properly, these plants are allowed to emit three to five times more radiation than the natural background levels.
Issues related to transporting and storing radioactive materials are especially troubling.
Cobalt 60, the fuel suggested for a Big Island irradiator, must be stored or used for 120 years before recharging within a nuclear reactor. The reactor that is used to recharge the cobalt is in Canada. This reactor is overdue for decommissioning and will be closed in the year 2000. Promoting grassroots democracy Hawaii County officials have received more than 7,000 letters and postcards from mainland consumers stating that they will not only boycott irradiated food, but will consider all Hawaii fruit and vegetables as suspect. A consortium of Japanese consumers sent a letter to Mayor Yamashiro stating their plan to boycott Hawaii produce if irradiation is implemented.