Arts & Entertainment
Hingham Nuclear Scientists will Discuss Japanese Disaster
Hingham's own nuclear experts will give a presentation tonight at the library.
Two Hingham nuclear scientists will hold a presentation tonight at the Hingham Public Library’s Whiton Room at 7:30 p.m. to discuss the potential radiation consequences stemming from the recent Fukushima Power Plant Failures in Japan.
Otto K. Harling, Ph.D., is a professor emeritus of the M.I.T. Nuclear Science and Engineering Department and has more than 50 years experience in research and instruction on the peaceful uses of nuclear science and technology. Dr. Harling will be giving the presentation with Dr. John A. Bewick, DBA, who holds a doctorate in statistical decision theory, an M.A. in nuclear science, and was recently appointed contributing editor of Public Utilities Fortnightly.
“We plan to talk on three things,” Bewick said. “Radiation and what safe exposures are, the nuclear incident itself, and how to go forward from here. We will also talk about how nuclear plants work.
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“This is a very serious accident. We have to learn from it. At the Pilgrim Nuclear Plant in Plymouth, they have four emergency backup systems, much more robust than what the Japanese have.”
The idea for the presentation was initiated by Bewick, who led a discussion on energy two years ago at the library. Dr. Bewick contacted Hingham Library Director Dennis Corcoran after the Japan incident to schedule tonight’s presentation.
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Dr. Harling’s and Dr. Bewick’s knowledge is extensive. Harling’s experience includes basic physics studies of condensed matter to the development of a new type of cancer therapy.
Bewick served with the Atomic Energy Commission where he worked on the seminal WASH 1400 study of nuclear accident risk. Bewick is also the former Secretary of the Massachusetts Executive Office of Environmental Affairs.
“This isn’t going to be a debate on whether to have or not have nuclear energy,” Corcoran said. “It is to explain what went wrong and the radiation effects and what implications there are for the people of Japan and the world.”
Read about the presentation in Patch tomorrow.
