IONISING RADIATION and NUCLEAR MEDICINE – theme for March 2012
The nuclear lobby touts Nuclear Medicine as a justification for nuclear reactors – a sort of “fig leaf” on a dirty and dangerous technology, or a “foot in the door” to introduce nuclear reactors. Nuclear medicine uses various isotopes for diagnosis and treatment. These isotopes can be produced in other ways, so there is no necessity for nuclear reactors.
The Future of Nuclear Medicine Scientists are seeking new methods of finding disease without using radioactive substances or nuclear reactors. Nuclear medicine materials do not have to be produced by reactors.
Cyclotrons and linear accelerators are two alternative technologies.
The Canadian government recently decided to move to these nonreactor methods. See: www.triumf.ca/sites/default/files/isotopes-gc-re-eng.pdf
Nuclear Repression, not Nuclear Renaissance, in Jaitapur, India
Jaitapur’s people are more concerned about being treated as sub-humans by the state, which has unleashed savage repression, including hundreds of arrests, illegal detentions and orders prohibiting peaceful assemblies. Eminent citizens keen to express solidarity with protesters were banned, including a former supreme court judge, the Communist party’s secretary and a former Navy chief. Gadgil too was prevented. A former high court judge was detained illegally for five days. Worse, a Maharashtra minister recently threatened that “outsiders” who visit Jaitapur wouldn’t be “allowed to come out” (alive).
This hasn’t broken the people’s resolve or resistance.
The truth behind India’s nuclear renaissance Jaitapur’s French-built nuclear plant is a disaster in waiting, jeopardising biodiversity and local livelihoods Praful Bidwai guardian.co.uk, 8 February 2011 The global “nuclear renaissance” touted a decade ago has not materialised. Read more »
Excessive radiation from airport scanners not properly scrutinised
The TSA and its contractors had failed to identify the machines that were emitting excessive radiation — a failure that continues to leave TSA workers and some lawmakers uneasy, especially as the agency continues to deploy hundreds of controversial radiation-emitting machines to help screen passengers……
TSA workers, experts worry about radiation exposure
By Alison Young, USA TODAY, 6 Dec 10,When investigators with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention‘s workplace safety team visited a dozen airports in 2003 and 2004, what they found was disturbing — at least to federal airport workers. Read more »
Doubts on need for airport radiation scanning, with its skin cancer risk
the concentration on the skin – one of the most radiation-sensitive organs of the body – means the radiation dose is actually 20 times higher than the official estimate.
Full-body airport scanners ‘as likely to kill you as terrorist bombs’ By Kate Schneider news.com.au , November 26, 2010 CONTROVERSIAL full-body airport scanners are just as likely to kill you as a terrorist’s bomb exploding on your plane, a leading scientist says.Peter Rez, a physics professor at Arizona State University, US, said the probability of dying from cancer caused by radiation from a body scanner and that of being killed in a terror attack are both approximately one in 30 million. Read more »
Medical radiation risks must be explained to patients
CT imaging, though, can produce as much as as 500 times the radiation of an X-ray, and experts have estimated that as many as 20% in Canada are ordered needlessly. U.S. studies suggest the risk of cancer from a single CT scan ranges from one in 2,000 to one in 300, depending on the dose and other factors.
Patients must be told of CT-scan dangers: doctors, Tom Blackwell, National Post , Nov. 26, 2010 As CT scans and similar procedures are ordered increasingly often, doctors should be forced to tell patients about the potential radiation-based cancer risk, two Canadian physicians have urged in a major U.S. medical journal. Read more »
Near German nuclear waste dump – higher cancer rates
Higher rates of cancer found in area near dilapidated nuclear waste dump Deutsche Welle | 26.11.2010 by Matt Zuvela, Holly Fox The Lower Saxony government has said those living near a dilapidated nuclear waste storage facility have higher rates of cancer. Men have twice the rate of leukemia and women have three times the rate of thyroid cancer. Read more »
Human error the biggest danger in nuclear technology
In 2007, six nuclear warheads were transported from Minot Air Force Base in North Dakota, to Louisiana’s Barksdale Air Force Base – by mistake. It’s a pattern of mistakes where there’s zero room for error.
When We’re Our Own Biggest Nuclear Threat Gizmodo Australia, By Brian Barrett November 23, 2010 Read more »
‘Act of mischief’ irradiated 50 nuclear workers in India
No breakthrough yet in Kaiga radiation case, The Times of India, STANLEY G PINTO, TNN, Nov 25, 2010, MANGALORE: The tritium poisoning episode at Kaiga Generating Station (KGS), which exposed around 50 employees to increased levels of radiation a year ago, remains shrouded in mystery, with police investigations apparently hitting a roadblock.
Asserting that investigations are still on, police officials admit it’s a difficult case to crack since it was an act of mischief……No breakthrough yet in Kaiga radiation case – The Times of India
UK used atomic test soldiers as radiation ‘guinea pigs’
The Government of the day had to discover the effects a nuclear bomb would have, not only on the infrastructure but the effects it would have for the human race over a prolonged period of time. It was decided the Armed Forces would be used as ‘Human Guinea Pigs’ in order to discover the effects radiation would have on the Human Body.
THE TRUTH ABOUT THE BRITISH NUCLEAR TESTS, Paul Langley’s Nuclear History Blog, by Dave Whyte One of the ‘Human Guinea Pigs’ 26 Nov 10, After WWII the British Government decided they would develop their own nuclear deterrent and made plans to conduct the tests at remote areas in Australia and the Pacific as they were not fully aware of the devastating power these devices were capable of producing. Read more »
UK’s “independent” research into nuclear veterans far from independent
The reason for this covert examination of body parts is exposed by Redfern ( p.90 ) as “mainly scientific research and potential damage claims .”
Dear Members of Parliament « Paul Langley’s Nuclear History Blog. 26 Nov 10, “…………The Minister for Veterans has admitted nuclear test veterans were exposed to radiation . Read more »
Nuclear bomb test veterans were exposed to unnecessary risks
we look back now at the veterans of atom bomb tests and conclude that, whatever the law says, these men were exposed to unnecessary risk.
Soldiers deserve better treatment, Manchester Evening News, November 23, 2010 “…..All but one of ten test cases were deemed to have been brought to court too late, and with veterans unable to prove the Ministry Of Defence was negligent, and that radiation was the probable cause of illness. So the veterans fail at law. Read more »
Would you trust UK Prime Minister to really help nuclear veterans?
Prime Minster gives hope to nuclear test veterans, Burton News & Staffordshire Newspaper, by ROB SMYTH, 25 Nov 10, NUCLEAR test veterans have been given a boost after Prime Minister David Cameron agreed to personally look into their case……Alan Rimmer, British Nuclear Test Veterans’ Association spokesman, said: “Understandably we have become cynical about politicians over the years. But Mr Cameron may break the mould — I hope he does.“If he takes a look at our case and sees it in a positive light then we would be happy to cut out all the lawyers and sit down and talk with him.” Burton News & Staffordshire Newspaper | Burton On Trent Local Newspaper Headlines | Daily Mail | Prime Minster gives hope to nuclear test veterans
ETHICS and NUCLEAR TECHNOLOGY- theme for December 2010
The unethical nature of nuclear power, nuclear weapons, and the entire nuclear fuel cycle is becoming more obvious, as its history unfolds. On grounds of nuclear weapons spread, unsolved wastes problem, health and environment, effects on indigenous and poor peoples, injustice to today’s and future generations – and even the sheer financial costs for now and the future – it is clear that “atoms for peace” is a false and unethical enterprise.
Given the mounting negative evidence about the nuclear industry, it is concerning that so many world political, scientific and economic leaders continue to promote the industry. Sir Mark Oliphant, (below) one of
the founders of the atomic bomb, was one who had the courage to change his mind, and to speak out against nuclear power and nuclear weapons.
Why is it so rare for ‘important’ people to face up to the evil nature of the whole nuclear fuel cycle? It’s not just money. Is it that so much of their reputation, their work has already been invested in nuclear? just too much effort to change track
Like Shakespeare’s Macbeth, who said “For mine own good,
All causes shall give way: I am in blood
Stepp’d in so far that, should I wade no more,
Returning were as tedious as go o’er”
Rather than pause to think about the whole picture, they concentrate on their own important actions. Again like Macbeth ” Strange things I have in head, that will to hand; Which must be acted ere they may be scann’d.”
(Image from MACBETH IS A BAD, BAD MAN design by Dave Shanker&Danilo Groppa, Charles W. Flanagan High School, Macbeth – Webquest)
Radiation danger and illicit nuclear tracking fears in Ghana
Government to provide protection of nuclear and radioactive materials, Accra, Nov. 23, Ghana News Agency, GNA - Government has expressed its commitment to provide the physical protection of nuclear and other radioactive materials and associated facilities, Mr Alex Segbefia, Deputy Chief of Staff said on Tuesday. He said government would in addition; work to combat illicit trafficking and inadvertent movement of radioactive materials…………Government to provide protection of nuclear and radioactive materials
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