[Blackmirror]

BBC NEWS | Magazine | Cold War in paradise

Some 50 years ago thousands of excitable young servicemen landed on the white sands of a Pacific paradise to oversee Britain's testing of early nuclear bombs. But what happened next damaged them mentally and physically for life, some claim, and now they want to be compensated.

Should they be compensated ?

[Howard]

It really is a case of having scientific proof and it would seem that the studies that have been done thus far are inconclusive. Therefore, until such time that proof is provided, I believe that no compensation should be forthcoming.

[Blackmirror]

Links between nuclear testing and premature deaths and cancer among veterans have been contested for years.
The National Radiological Protection Board, now amalgamated into the Health Protection Agency (HPA), has been conducting a study of nuclear test veterans since the 1980s.

It compares cancer and mortality rates among servicemen involved in nuclear testing with rates among a control group of servicemen without any nuclear test links.
Dr Colin Muirhead, the HPA's head of epidemiology in the radiation protection section, says his findings showed similar levels of mortality and cancer in both groups.

You would expect a higher number if they were affected i agree

[Howard]

Yes you would and that's why it all looks a little dodgy to me.

Seems far too many folks are after compensation as a means to get a free buck.

In fact I find the whole compensation culture a bit disturbing and I personally know of several people who have hoodwinked their way to compensation. I can only presume the whole industry is riddled with fraudulent compensation claims.

[Gunner]

Yes they should be compensated just as I am compensated for agent orange.
My compensation was a 25 year struggle but the effects of a nuclear blast
have been studied and confirmed long ago. (IMHO only)
I wish those servicemen good luck.

[Rik]

I agree with Howard, if they can supply absolute, concrete proof then fair enough. If not......

[Gunner]

Where does it take a rocket scientist to know exposing guinea pigs (humans)
to high levels of radiation will hurt you? Just check out the things that has happened
with Hiroshima and Nagasaki victims or White Sands tests. No one knew with
certainty then but I do think plenty of evidence is abound today. Go figure.

[Blackmirror]

Nice to see you Gunner

[Gunner]

You too. Glad to see my opinions also?
You know how it goes in that everybody has one... a nose that is, among other things.

[Blackmirror]

I love your opinions
Refreshing and honest

[Howard]

GunnerI do think plenty of evidence is abound today.

But that's the whole problem. The studies of this group that have been done, show no correlation to increased cancers etc from the control group. Hence the studies have proved inconclusive on this group.

If there really was a problem, one could reasonably expect a large disparity between the control and the study groups.

[Gunner]

An excess risk of leukemia was just one of the earliest delayed effects of radiation
exposure seen in the victims of Nagasaki and Hiroshima, and today, more than 50
years after the bombs, this excess is reflected as the most widely apparent
long-term radiation effect. There have been many more proven links between
radiation exposure and the onset of physical/mental symptoms.

The example of Agent Orange is a good example of delayed compensation if the
government has anything to do with the payouts.
The NAS reviewed more than 6,000 abstracts of scientific or medical articles and
analyzed 230 long-term studies before making its initial report in July 1993,
which led to presumptive service-connection for several health problems among veterans.
I was exposed constantly almost 30 years (OK, 28) prior their findings.
An estimated 21 million gallons of this stuff was used from 1962-70.

Sorry if one may not think these comparisons are significant but since I went
through it, I can readily see where the procrastination comes from.

[Howard]

I don't disagree with what you are saying Gunner.

However, it's all down to proof and in this particular case the lack of it.

If any such proof is found, then I wholeheartedly support the claim.

[Blackmirror]

You an EX service man Howard ?

[Howard]

Nope, not at all Donna. However, My father was in the army and I grew up living on army camps and attending army schools. My eldest son is in the army and is currently awaiting deployment to Afghanistan.

I have a keen interest in all matters military and do sympathise with a lot of ex soldiers etc. However, in a case such as this, I believe that proof must be brought to bear otherwise no compensation should be forthcoming.

[Blackmirror]

Can you imagine what it was like for those soldiers watching the tests
In shorts and tshirts?

Like a scene from Terminator

Yes lets get proof and then compensate but for many it will be too late

[Howard]

If proof ever arrives, it may well be too late for some. But that's the way of the world unfortunately.

[Blackmirror]

Well i would give compensation but then my heart always rules

[Howard]

I'm sure you would, but in reality, you, your soft heart and your money would soon be parted I'm afraid.

[Blackmirror]

Didn't say i had any

Seems that the UK is a nation of grabbers
I live next to a girl who claims incapacity benefit
Bad back

Doesn't stop her disco dancing and yes i reported her more than once
Compare that with the service men and woman and no contest