Big Island Dairy Farmers fight radiation with Boron

[Ichingcarpenter]

farmers on the Big Island of Hawaii shares some solutions for working with radiation problems in milk.


Members,
Our goal to offer high quality safe food to our community has recently been challenged in the reality of the radioactivity being released into our environment. In the past weeks radioactive levels have increased in Hawaii, with high spikes and a more current leveling off of radiation levels. Milk from the large dairies in Hamakua and Hawi has shown elevated levels of radiation, from 400 to 2400 times the recognized safe levels.

SNIP



We have begun feeding our cows and goats sodium borate at milking times, as well as adding it to free choice kelp and water troughs. In the past years we have monitored boron and other minerals in the soil and have added as necessary to bring levels up to recognized healthy levels. As a safety measure we are planning to implement a boron dosage to all of our pastures, as well as neighboring pastures



http://hawaiihealthguide.com/healthtalk/display.htm?id=915&hhsid=9ea42c3eb9d93ab4faf7ca3cd98ee6d8

[snagglepuss]

1. Is feeding borate to cows just happy talk to soothe consumers and farmers

or is it effective when added to feed?


edit to correct grammar

[Ichingcarpenter]

2. I don't know but it seems that radiation is a major concern

This is from a major dairy so I like to hear more about the radiation levels
from other sources. I just caught this bit of news and thought it was noteworthy..

[NickB79]

3. Unless those cows have nuclear fission occuring inside of them

Adding boron does nothing to reduce radiation levels in milk or meat.

The reason it is used in a nuclear reactor is that it captures neutrons vital to maintaining a nuclear chain reaction, thus short-circuiting the fission process.

[NickB79]

4. Their radiation levels have spiked? Someone better tell the EPA

Because all government monitoring has shown radiation levels far below recognized safe levels since the reactors melted down, even in Hawaii. For example: http://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/story/14281120/radiation-monitors-confirm-that-no-radiation-llevels-of-concern-have-reached-us?redirected=true

I've spent the past 10 min. searching online, and can't find any corroborating stories about radiation levels being 400 to 2400 times above safe levels except in press releases put out by this same dairy organization.

Between that and the bunk about feeding their livestock boron, my snake oil salesman alarm is awfully close to going off.

[Ichingcarpenter]

5. Thanks. for the search... I said it was noteworthy but not newsworthy

I feel that the Japanese are not getting the real picture
and the US was partially to blame on that.

Independent science outside of government entities should is welcomed
I did find the assertion of such high levels suspect with no data

[formercia]

6. This isn't even worth a Tin Foil Hat.

besides, too much Boron can be quite toxic.

I add it to sugar and water to kill Ants.

[muriel_volestrangler]

7. This is dangerous pseudoscientific nonsense

We have remembered our friend, elemental boron and the position it plays on the earth. Boron is the only mineral capable of accepting and ionizing radiation that never changes the innards or the nucleus of the cell. Spoken simply, boron can take radiation and release it without upsetting its own very delicate balance.

These people haven't the faintest idea what they're talking about. As mentioned above, boron compounds are used to stop fission. Fission isn't the danger to the cows, or the people drinking their milk; alpha radiation is. Boron, whether elemental or as a compound, won't help with that.

In the meantime, "Borax can also be ingested at 1/8 tsp to 1 litre water for women, ¼ tsp to 1 litre water for men" is dangerous advice.

Principal hazards


*** Borax is harmful if swallowed.
*** Borax dust is very irritating if breathed in.
*** There is some evidence that prolonged or repeated exposure to borax may cause reproductive defects.

http://cartwright.chem.ox.ac.uk/hsci/chemicals/borax.html

Don't listen to these nutters.