Thanks to the generosity of some of our donors, we were able to fulfil a request to provide a summer internship for a student from the McGill-UNEP Masters program in Environmental Assessment (EA). It was a pleasure to have Hi Sun Lee, Ph.D., MA, of South Korea, work with us from May to August 2007. Coming from a more academic and structured approach, adjusting to the idea of something as complex and varied as the effects of nuclear radiation and toxic chemicals on health took some time. By the end of his term, I believe that Hi Sun was able to see that it is the responsibility of government and industry and all of us really, to recognize the need to reduce hazards rather than to manage them. I think Hi Sun understands that we should act on a Precautionary Principle rather than demand hard evidence or dead bodies as proof of harm. That we need to take more seriously the sacred trust given to governments to live within the limits of Earth’s ability to replace our natural resources and preserve them for future generations. Hi Sun did research on a number of subjects related to his field of work and study.

Highlights involved studying areas that IICPH was busy exploring including the EA of the possible refurbishment of Pickering B nuclear power station and one of an industry producing emergency lights using radioactive tritium. An analysis of a Health Risk Assessment and the critique of same by Dr. Bertell was one of his assignments. He studied the “waste-to-energy” concept and learned about epidemiologically sound health studies and what results can be obtained when flawed methods are used. He also learned about conservation and eco-friendly sources of power.

He took a great deal of interest in the Precautionary Principle. It turned out to be quite an ambitious program and his final report is expected some time in November. It is my opinion that this final report will be a very useful document for our work. I feel certain that Hi Sun would agree that it was a mutually beneficial experience working together this summer. All of us at IICPH wish him well in all his future endeavours.