Expert briefing paper on Ukraine dangers
As we mark one year since the deadly war in Ukraine began, International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War (IPPNW) held an expert panel webinar on February 18 to assess impacts on health, human rights, and the environment from conventional wars, a nuclear power disaster or nuclear war.
After the event, the panelists released a briefing paper outlining these risks and solutions.
Dr. Barry Levy, adjunct professor of public health at Tufts University School of Medicine and a past president of the American Public Health Association, gave an assessment of how the war has adversely affected civilians.
Linda Pentz Gunter, international specialist at Beyond Nuclear, gave an overview of the factors that could lead to a catastrophe at any of Ukraine’s nuclear power plants, including loss of power, stress-induced worker error or an accidental or deliberate attack.
Dr. Ira Helfand, immediate past president of IPPNW and co-founder and past president of Physicians for Social Responsibility, the US affiliate of IPPNW, looked at how an escalation to nuclear weapons would lead to catastrophic regional and global consequences.
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