233 



Transport of Radioactive Material to Alaska 



Glenn E. Shaw 

 Professor of Physics 

 Geophysical In^tute 

 University of Alaska 



Testimony to U. S. Senate Select Commitue on Intelligence 



ABSTRACT 



There is clear evidence that in winter the Arctic fills up with air poQution from industrialized areas 

 of surrounding continents. The cause is lack of solar radiation, which contributes to the high 

 stability of the air. Records from ice cores indicate a marked increase in die pollution levels in this 

 century, particulariy since die mid 19S0's. Since Eurasian industrial pollutants contribute the 

 largest friction of Arctic Haze, diere is a definite probability diat radioactive releases in Euraaa 

 could ^read across die Arctic Basin. Implementation of a large and sophisticated intemadonal 

 network of early warning stations, along widi excellent science research programs involving 

 leadership frtMn universities around die circumpolar north is vitaL First priority needs to be 

 addressed to healdi concerns of people living in die Arctic Basin. 



INTBODUCTION 



In diis tesdmooy I would like to point oat diat the Arctic is like a stagnant pond. In die winter, die 

 whole of the arctic atmosphere, an ainnass rou^y the size of the continent of Africa, becomes 

 massively poUoied. The sitnatiaa is much like diat in die Lot Angeles Basin: air pollution buikis up 

 because of die lack of an outlet This is a potentially dueaiening sttnation if contaminants are 

 released into the air. 



In my opinion, given die hi|^ probability of releases of radioisotopes into die atnnq>here from die 

 former Soviet Union, it is critical to inqiletnent an early warning network of stations across die 

 Arctic. Such a network woukl provide warning for episodk releases of radioactive material and, of 

 course, would have to be an international project, involving nations of the ciioonpolar region. 



SOME COMMENTS AIOUT ARCTIC HaZS POLLUTION 



Scientisu in Canada, the Untied States and Scandinavia in the last few years have been 

 investigating die chemical, climatic and heahh effects of sixprisingly strong indusnial air pollutants 

 suspended tbioag)iOQt the nctic atmosphere. This so-called Arctic Haze phenomenon was 

 discovered indepeadendy in Aladot and Nofway twenQr years aga 



Though arctic air pplhiti^ hat been under intensive scientific investigation (diere have been several 

 books pabliihed oo the subject and more dian 700 scientific articles), diere still are major 

 unanswered qoettioot that relate to contamination of wide areas of the Arctic by possible 

 radioactive rtVcayi into the atmosphere. 



Of particular concern is die large uncertainty about die padiways and frtte of pollution products 

 released or injected into die arctic atmosphere. We know diat material released into die arctic 

 atmosphere has a long life and dierefoie travels for great distances. What isn't known, is die extent 

 and location of the geogr tp hicalregiona where the material falls out of die atmotpher e and enters 

 die ecological system. This is sasptati to be in sources near seas entering die Arctic, where 

 sources ofmoisture fonn clouds which remove the material There is the possibility, therefore, of 



