NEW YORK, 06 JUNE 2017 (PACNEWS) —- The Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) and Marshall Islands have used the UN Oceans Conference underway in New York to amplify their long –standing concerns about nuclear contamination and pollution from World War 2 wrecks.
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President Peter Christian of the Federated States of Micronesia said nuclear contamination is a serious threat for small island countries in the north Pacific because of claims that the fall-out from the nuclear tests conducted in the Marshall Islands may have reached as far as Palau.
“This is of tremendous concern not only for the people of the Marshall Islands but for FSM and Palau too. No feasible definitive study has been conducted to determine this and we need to hold responsible those countries that conducted these tests, said President Christian.
Between 1946 and 1958, the United States tested 67 nuclear bombs in Marshall Islands. Researchers discovered that radioactive material on Bikini Atoll produced 184 millirems of radiation a year.
Transport minister, Mike Halferty said this legacy continues to threaten the health and well-being of not just Pacific Islanders but the planet’s oceans and people who depend upon them. [/restrict]