Anyone moved?
I was wondering if anyone has moved to the Southern Hemisphere or somewhere in the states likely unaffected by fallout (if there is such a place - I've been looking but haven't been able to determine such a place based on the jet stream).
American Samoa
My family and I have recently re-located from Central Coast of California to American Samoa. We decided to move here for a number of reasons, but contamination of dairy products from Fukushima fallout was certainly taken into consideration. We have two young children and we were growing increasingly concerned about our supplies of uncontaminated milk, yogurt and cheese.
The milk, yogurt and cheese here are primarily sourced from New Zealand and Australia. Most produce is locally grown, or is sourced from South America and New Zealand.
Since our arrival, I have been packaging and shipping liters of New Zealand Ultra-Pasteurized milk and dehydrated yogurt to friends and family back on the mainland.
If anyone reading this is interested, we would be happy to ship New Zealand milk or dehydrated yogurt to the mainland USA for a reasonable price, plus actual shipping charges. We have a US Post Office here on island, so shipping charges are not excessive.
If you would like to purchase milk or yogurt, please let me know what sort of quantity you'd be interested in and your zip code, I will respond with a quote. This is not being done for profit, rather we want to assist families in obtaining uncontaminated dairy products for their children. I also wish for my daughter to gain some education in how to run a small business. I am currently building a website to simplify purchases and I will post the address to this thread once it is ready.
Please feel free to contact me with any questions regarding available products, or life here on the beautiful island of American Samoa.
My email address is morrostranddesign@gmail.com
Just bought our tickets.
Just bought our tickets. Wish us well!
"Just bought our tickets.
"Just bought our tickets. Wish us well!"
Us too. Well, actually we bought then a few weeks ago, after months of careful planning and research. We leave in one week.
Best of luck to you on your new adventure and new chapter in your life.
@American Samoa - great idea, to help those on the mainland. We have adjusted to our restricted diet here in the US since Fukushima, but it's so nice when we travel, to not have to stress about food and water.
Good Luck
Good luck on your move. I hope you are able to breath easy after you get to your destination and are able to work and make a living too.
Regarding the negative comment here about the radiation on the flight. What ever bro. and as one comment said you are missing the point. I would rather have 'cosmic rays' than GE rays any day.
Chile is the place to be, watch out for Brazil they are super hip now on "growing" industry and money.
Best Wishes. Good Karma to you.
Chile it is. Extremely
Chile it is. Extremely tight banking regulations (like Canada - I recently moved from there) and corruption free. Good choice. And weather / terrain /lifestyle, literally "California South' , as it's called. Complete with earthquakes LOL
Lot of Europeans and Aussies in S.A. A growing number of US.
I was thinking of choosing
I was thinking of choosing among a short list of choice destinations in South America, but I'm somewhat concerned about their pesticide use. I've read some bad things about that. I'm not sure how to weigh the risks and whether pesticides can be removed any more easily than food. I imagine this may affect meat and dairy quality, as well. Would anyone have any information about that?
I am also concerned that even though there are very few nuclear reactors on that continent, their safety standards would be even lower than here. When trying to guess where the next hot potato will be, quantity matters, but so do things like relative safety culture (I use this term loosely for this industry).
Again, anyone with any information about the "nuclear safety culture" of Argentina and Brazil? Yes, I am aware of the terrible incident in Brazil with the medical cesium chloride device.
Also, is there any very strong evidence that CANDU reactors are any safer than BWR and PWR?
My other choice is Australia but I am concerned about the uranium mines. There is also one research reactor but nothing is perfect. The uranium mines though: How far does the pollution from those mines spread? Is there a map of these mines? Would anyone have any information about that?
South American Safety Culture
Again, anyone with any information about the "nuclear safety culture" of Argentina and Brazil? Yes, I am aware of the terrible incident in Brazil with the medical cesium chloride device.
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I'm not sure about the nuclear safety culture in South America.
However, a friend of mine is married to a woman from South America,
and has some advice on the airline safety culture.
The airline safety culture in South America is not what one would wish it to be - very much lower than the USA.
However, his advice is to fly on the airline that has had the most recent crash. That is the airline that the Government safety inspectors are concentrating on, so they will now be the safest.
I wouldn't trade the USA's nuclear safety culture for the airline safety culture of South America.
Wow, no offense, but that
Wow, no offense, but that info about the airline safety culture is really ignorant!
Check out the fleet age and safety of the major South American airlines, i.e., LAN.
Thee are some I would not fly - many in the US too, for sure - but most are superb.
I used to fly a lot to S.A. via American Airlines,, thinking they were safer (typical american prejudice on my part) and they had so many stinkin' safety issues. I was stranded in VZ 2x due to problems. On one flight, we weren't gaining altitude and the crew thought we'd crash. After that, I'd never fly them again, so I started serious research into the S. American airlines. Most are outstanding in safety as well as service.
For anyone who has flown NON US airlines - worldwide - most are head and shoulders above in 1) much newer fleets 2) stringent safety 3) outstanding service.
US airlines need to step it up, internationally.
However, since only approx 25% of Americans have passports, they don't travel internationally as much, so don't have the basis of comparison, or a need to research.
I can only speak to my own
I can only speak to my own experience (a lot of travel) and speaking with my friends who already live there: In South America, beef is grass fed. This is because it's cheap. The cattle are turned out onto the grasslands until ready for slaughter. This is the case for most cattle from Uruguay, Chile and Argentina. I don't know about Brazil. I thought I read recently that some Argentinian ranches were finishing with grain, but not sure of the numbers. Look up the beef industry website for Uruguay and it will give you an idea of how proud they are of providing "pure beef". Any beef connoisseur will tell you that Argentinian and Uruguayan beef is fabulous because the cattle are not treated with hormones, and are grass fed on fertile unspoiled land. It's the best I've ever eaten.
Re; pesticides in food. There is an ever growing number of organic farming in South America. The expat community will happily point you in the direction of the stores and farmers markets where you can get pesticide free fruits and vegetables. There are some great forums for this kind of information. Also, again, the land is so fertile - it makes for great personal gardening. Last time I was there I had some strawberries that our friends (who relocated from San Diego a few years ago) grew in their huge backyard garden. It had such an intense and delicious flavor like nothing I've ever experienced.
Re: nuke reactors. In light of all the "incidents" that happen quite regularly here in the US alone, I'm not sure they are any more or less safe. There are a heck of a lot fewer nuke plants, that's for sure. And some countries have none, and will not permit it.
I hope someone answers your question about CANDU vs BWR / PWR.
And while I love to travel to Australia (and NZ), I don't know anything about their uranium mines. There are smart people who post on this forum, I'm sure you'll get an answer.
Good concerns, all. You're asking all the right questions.
If they don't have nukes...
Re: nuke reactors. In light of all the "incidents" that happen quite regularly here in the US alone, I'm not sure they are any more or less safe. There are a heck of a lot fewer nuke plants, that's for sure. And some countries have none, and will not permit it.
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If they don't have nukes; they probably have coal, which is WORSE in terms of radiation. Courtesy of the scientists at Oak Ridge National Lab:
http://www.ornl.gov/info/ornlreview/rev26-34/text/colmain.html
LOL!!!! ! You're joking
LOL!!!! !
You're joking right? Comparing coal to what happened at Chernobyl, Fukushima, "fill in the blank for the next inevitable nuke accident"...
What a maroon.
I really like your leap to conclusion too. If xxx, then xxx.
Geez, bone up on your objective analysis skills.
Sorry - but science is science
Checkout the report from Oak Ridge National Laboratory:
http://www.ornl.gov/info/ornlreview/rev26-34/text/colmain.html
Coal power plants in the USA release about 14,000 TONS of alpha-emitting Uranium and Thorium into the air for us to breathe. Not even Chernobyl did that.
That's because coal plants burn billions of tons of coal each year that has trace amounts of Uranium and Thorium.
This is one of the problems with the anti-nukes; they get fixated on Chernobyl and Fukushima being the worse events in history, and don't even look at the true scientific evidence.
The report is from scientists at a US Government national lab, and not shills for the nuclear industry. They are worth taking seriously.
typo: "than food" should
typo: "than food" should read "than radionuclides from food."
As you can see, I'm still in
As you can see, I'm still in decision stage, and plan to move over the late fall. I'm fortunate in that it is relatively easy for me to relocate and to obtain a visa. My partner as well. I'm fortunate to have someone who will follow me to the ends of the earth - who would have thought, before March, that it would be necessary?
I've been working on this for months now. I have decided, only the exact location is in question. We cannot stay here. The federal government is not releasing enough data for me to know how much risk we may be in or how much we may have already suffered from Fukushima. It gave the all-clear very early; much too early for the situation to be known yet. Ever since that, obfuscation and distraction. Even if the vast proportion of the damage of Fukushima has already been done, even if that damage was minor or affected other cities and barely touched mine, it wouldn't change my mind at this point. I saw how "my" government responded, how "my" government protected me by giving me information I needed to make my own decisions. Heck, I heard more out of Germany, France and Denmark.
We've got over 100 aging reactors on this continent and even when we get a close call like the Virginia quake, it's washed over. Nothing changes. The NRC argues about whether they should do too little, too late, or even less, even later.
These accidents are happening every few years. There have been many more than the most publicized three. This one is the biggest industrial disaster the world has ever faced. The government has convinced much of the public that this is not newsworthy. Anthony Wiener was newsworthy instead. I didn't crack a smile. Casey Anthony, that would just not get off the screen. I took deep breaths and tried to be a patient person. But the worst industrial accident in human history? Not worth discussing, not worth thinking about, not worth working very hard to prevent happening again in a few years' time. The alarm bells in my head were too loud and stayed with me all the time. Nobody here in power learned anything to stop this from happening again here.
It is almost my time to propagate the species. I ask myself - is this a safe place, long term, to raise a family? The answer comes in loud and clear. Ridicule me if you like, it rolls off my back completely, because it's stemming from my instinctive propagation of my genes. I was born to do it, literally. Not only should I make every effort to assure that my children's DNA be at least as healthy as my own, but I also will not be nesting under a man-made active volcano if I can help it. This could all backfire - I could get run over by a truck tomorrow - I don't see why that means I shouldn't try my very, very best for my children.
I will be moving. It will be in the southern hemisphere, because odds are the next "completely unexpected" nuclear accident is going to be in the north. It breaks my heart to leave my country forever, but my government abandoned me first. I hope with all my heart that I am wrong and no other nuclear disaster happens in my lifetime, but I would place a bet that another substantial one is less than 5 years down the road.
North Anna wasn't even close...
We've got over 100 aging reactors on this continent and even when we get a close call like the Virginia quake, it's washed over.
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North Anna wasn't a close call at all.
The North Anna plant experienced an earthquake that was well within the range that the plant is designed to handle.
After NRC inspected the plant, it is preparing to return to operation.
Would you move out of the Bay Area just because the Golden Gate bridge experienced the Loma Prieta earthquake and didn't fall down?
Fukushima worst????
But the worst industrial accident in human history? Not worth discussing, not worth thinking about, not worth working very hard to prevent happening again in a few years' time.
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Fukushima worst??? Not by a long shot.
How about industrial accidents that actually kill people. Those are worse.
How about Bhopal?:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bhopal
I hear your heartbreak.
I hear your heartbreak. You've thought this out well and will be happy. Anyone who has lived outside the US will tell you it's all about attitude. No country is like the US, not even Canada, and we get homesick, but now even the US isn't the US. There's nothing for us anymore. It's a shell. The banksters have robbed us blind and we're all scrambling to protect what little we have left. But wait! Here comes inflation. Or perhaps deflation first?
I've looked at every angle and decided the best way to protect my family is to get them out of here. We'll adjust fine. So will you. Find an expat community and the adjustment is smooth. (did this years ago many times, living in different countries for a year or two on work assignments).
Internations is an option for anyone starting at ground zero. They have local communities in US cities, tied to expat communities in the country you're looking at to move.
Good luck all.
At least a guy opened a
At least a guy opened a thread saying that he was getting ready to move to Patagonia, I don't remember how that ended:
http://www.nuc.berkeley.edu/node/3909
What a coincidence
Just bought our tickets on LAN. End of October exit from US.
Did tons of research since last year. Our primary motivation is the financial collapse here, to protect what little savings we have. The Fukushima disaster was just another reason to go, but there are so many other important reasons.
Let me just say that there is NO convincing people who are closed minded or who have never traveled outside the US, esp to the Southern Hemisphere (S. America, Aus, NZ). Americans who travel outside the US understand better what is happening here and see the advantages of moving. Hey, our parents/grandparents/ etc did it to obtain a better life, right?
We have a great little house (renting) now in a lovely neighborhood and will purchase some acreage next year. The air, water and soil is so clean and pristine. The food tastes completely different due to unspoiled fertile soil.
And regarding Patagonia, no, that's not quite as far as we are going, but WOW is it gorgeous and pristine !! I have several friends who live in different areas there - different micro climates that would be superb to live in. One of my friends is pretty far south and it is one of the most beautiful places on earth, but for me, his location has a bit more cold than I'd like. No matter where you live, there is a view of water or majestic mountains or both. It's unbelievable.
If you are considering moving to S. Hemisphere, go for it. It's an exciting adventure of new beginnings. We love it and look forward to our new life.
Patagonia encompasses a huge
Patagonia encompasses a huge area in Chile and Argentina, and is one of the most beautiful places on earth to live. Northern Patagonia has mild 4 seasons. Enchanting. Can't wait to return. Maybe for good soon.
Bon Voyage
Bon Voyage
Again we see someone fleeing a small fraction of a mrem by flying away to somewhere else. They do this in the blissful ignorance that airline flights are THE largest source of avoidable radiation exposure.
Why are they so eager to increase their exposure to cosmic rays, when they go into mental shock at the mere mention of Iodine-131 or Cesium-137.
Sigh
You missed the point, dude.
You missed the point, dude. Financial meltdown. Police state. 2nd world economic status at best, and a crapload of civil unrest coming. What does "blissful ignorance" about airline flights have to do with that post? You really sound hostile - easy to see you projected your agenda and it's not germane.
And ya know what? I'd brave the stupid propaganda about "airline flights have more radiaiton' to start a new life. There's a lot more going down here than just low level radiation contamination.
Police state? REALLY???
The USA a police state? I sincerely doubt that.
The only people I see that call the USA a police state are the drug addicted scum that are upset because we don't let them have their drugs.
If that scum is leaving, then I'm all for letting the parasites go.
Just as long as we don't have to forward your welfare checks to wherever.
So long, parasites, and good riddance.
Anyone that dumb, we don't need.
Damn those solar rays
Damn those solar rays getting lodged deep in your lungs for life, burning the sweet heck out of the tissue nearby, it's like a forever friend, always giving you a helping hand with your health. And those other cosmic rays, preferentially migrating into your thyroid, bone, and muscle tissue. Doing the same thing. Giving you a "Solar Necklace." Playing with your heartstrings, literally - causing heart failure. Diabetes as well. Don't you just hate that sun?
Not rays, and not just solar
Damn those solar rays getting lodged deep in your lungs for life
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Cosmic rays don't just come from the sun, so I wouldn't call the "solar rays".
In addition to direct radioation, cosmic rays interact with the atoms in the atmosphere in your airliner and produce a shower of particles including neutrons that can transmute non-radioactive species to radioactive species.
That's where we get Carbon-14, and Tritium from. When you are in an airliner, you are also exposed to these radionuclides created by the interaction of cosmic rays.
True - they don't seek out thyroid and bones. Instead they irradiate EVERYTHING
CLAP CLAP CLAP Point well
CLAP CLAP CLAP
Point well taken!
oh and by the way
if you check the "moving to Patagonia" thread (I think that's the title) there are great suggestions on how to research, etc.
There's another thread too, posted by someone who was moving to Bolivia (family there, I think?) and that also had some good info.