During the first ten days of August, peace gatherings are held across the world to raise awareness about the global nuclear threat and call for nuclear disarmament. However, the commonly held narrative that Hiroshima was the first detonation of an atomic bomb on an unsuspecting public is questioned. In fact, the first atomic bomb, code-named Trinity, was detonated in the desert of New Mexico on July 16, 1945. This test had a similar design to the bomb used on Nagasaki but had a different type of fuel. The Trinity test had devastating consequences, including radioactive fallout that affected nearby communities. However, the US government was secretive about the fallout's health effects and did not provide adequate warnings or advisories to the affected people. Many individuals in New Mexico have suffered from cancer and other illnesses as a result of exposure to the fallout. Despite this, they have not been eligible for compensation under the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act. The Trinity Site is now a National Historic Landmark and is open to the public twice a year. The author argues that the devastating consequences of nuclear testing are often ignored or downplayed in favor of national security and corporate interests.
Tue, 15 Aug 2023 03:25:54 GMT | Countercurrents.org