Vanderbilt Television News Archive

(Studio: Tom Jarriel) Accident involving radioactive waste in Brazil recalled. Report introduced.

(Goiania, Brazil: Beth Nissen) Recollections with regard to deadly dust, cesium- 137, that contaminated city featured. [WOMEN - (thru translator) describe vivid, diamond-like qualities of dust.] [Brazil nuclear energy commission spokesperson Don. BINNIS - describes residents' reactions to radiation.] October 26 film of burial of victims in concrete-sealed coffins and protests against burials shown. Original site of cesium contamination at abandoned facility shown. [On September 30, junk dealer Devalier FAJEDA - (thru translator) explains glittering powder in junked machine.] [WOMEN - (thru translator) explain playing with cesium.] Illnesses resulting from powder described; scenes shown. [BINNIS - describes early misdiagnoses of illnesses.] Dispersal of cesium from junkyard and procedures to control outbreak outlined. [Junk collector Edson CAVALCANCHI - (thru translator) comments on contamination.] Issue of highly developed nuclear technology in less-developed countries like Brazil reported Quarantining of Santana Fabiana's family reported [FABIANA - (thru translator) says inspection system needed.]