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The Press Association: Watchdog bans CT scan leaflet

Watchdog bans CT scan leaflet
The Press Association 5 Nov 08 A leaflet that promised a comprehensive health check on the basis of a CT scan broke advertising regulations, a watchdog has ruled.The circular for Lifescan said it had given thousands of people “peace of mind” after they underwent the private scan and assessment………………………..A doctor complained that the ad was misleading and irresponsible because it could discourage patients from seeing their GP, implied that a CT scan could identify any problem, and did not make clear that the radiation from CT scans could be harmful if used frequently.

The Press Association: Watchdog bans CT scan leaflet

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November 5, 2008 Posted by | environment | Leave a comment

D.C. hospital gets ‘dirty bomb’ sensors – USATODAY.com

D.C. hospital gets ‘dirty bomb’ sensors

By Mimi Hall, USA TODAY 5 Nov 08
WASHINGTON — The largest private hospital in
the nation’s capital on Tuesday began installing sophisticated new
radiation detectors in an effort to better prepare for a terrorist
attack with a radiological “dirty bomb.”

The sensors, which will be placed out of public
view at the 926-bed Washington Hospital Center, will immediately let
doctors, nurses and other hospital staff know if someone contaminated
with dangerous radiation enters the emergency room or other areas of
the hospital.

The goal is to prevent victims of an attack from
compounding the disaster by contaminating the hospitals and emergency
workers who are there to treat them.

D.C. hospital gets ‘dirty bomb’ sensors – USATODAY.com

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November 5, 2008 Posted by | environment | Leave a comment

Nuclear group warns about construction | ajc.com

Nuclear group warns about construction
ajc.com Associated PressTuesday, November 04, 2008Columbia —- The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission is warning the nuclear industry to be careful in its construction oversight after finding problems earlier this year at the Savannah River Site.Specifically, the Greenville News reported Sunday, the warning addresses bad concrete and faulty reinforcing steel in the foundation of the Savannah River plant. The site will produce nuclear reactor fuel from weapons-grade plutonium……………………………..

A spokesman for AREVA, one of the private partners building and operating the plant, had no comment on the report.

Problems with concrete at a nuclear plant under construction in Finland, according to the NRC, “caused lengthy construction delays and had a negative impact on public confidence.”

In France, officials encountered a series of problems with steel reinforcing bars in construction of a new reactor site there. The French agency overseeing the project “considers the main issue to be the licensee’s quality management system,” the NRC reported…………….

Tom Clements, Southeast nuclear campaign coordinator for the environmental group Friends of the Earth, said the problems discovered at the MOX plant appear to be “endemic” to nuclear industry construction.

“It doesn’t bode well for the rest of the project or other such projects, nationally,” he said.

Nuclear group warns about construction | ajc.com

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November 5, 2008 Posted by | safety | Leave a comment

Fairfax Station-Clifton – The Connection Newspapers

Virginians See Global Warming as ‘Very Serious’
connection newspapers By Julia O’Donoghue  November 03, 2008 The majority of Virginians believe that the earth is not only getting warmer but that global warming also constitutes a “very serious” problem, according to the first statewide poll on climate change………………..In what politicians called a major sea change in Virginia’s public opinion, a strong majority of all Virginians view climate change as a problem and said the government should take action immediately to deal with the problem……………………..nuclear is hardly the panacea to the United States energy problems.

It is extremely difficult to get a nuclear power plant insured and storing large amounts of nuclear waste is also poses a challenge. In the age of heightened awareness about terrorism, nuclear power plants also become more of a security concern than other types of energy alternatives, said Governor Connolly.

Fairfax Station-Clifton – The Connection Newspapers

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November 5, 2008 Posted by | environment | Leave a comment

Left behind on energy issue

Left behind on energy issue
thestar.com Malaysia

NMA,
Kajang.

I REFER to the ongoing debate on nuclear energy. So far, not a single pro-nuclear advocate has told me what they will do with the nuclear waste, except one letter claiming that there will be zero.This is obviously false because it’s common knowledge that nuclear waste is the number one issue preventing most European countries from adding more nuclear reactors in their country, or even replacing their ageing reactors. So, until the authorities can explain what they plan to do with the waste, and that the action taken will be viable and responsible, I will be against nuclear energy……………………..I disagree that renewables are too expensive to be viable; that was the view 10 years ago. Now even a Texas oilman is building a huge solar power plant in an American desert, Australia is piloting a project extracting energy from underground hot rocks and China is now the builder of the most wind farms and solar plants in the world and is still building more and faster.

Left behind on energy issue

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November 5, 2008 Posted by | ENERGY | Leave a comment

David Suzuki: Renewable energy requires strength of will | Straight.com

David Suzuki: Renewable energy requires strength of will
Straight.com By David Suzuki and Faisal Moola 5 Nov 08 – “…………………..Alternative energy sources are absolutely necessary. Global warming will kill birds and bats, as well as other species, in much greater numbers than wind power. We just need good planning to ensure that our energy production is balanced with ecological concerns. And we need to believe in our ability to develop solutions……………………Making a commitment to resolve a serious crisis generates opportunities and creates jobs.

Already, renewable energy technologies are creating employment and giving economies a boost around the world. Countries like Denmark and Germany started shifting to renewable energy sources after the OPEC oil embargo in the 1970s. Today, Denmark obtains 20 percent of its energy from wind power and is aiming at 50 percent by 2020. Germany obtains 14 percent of its energy from wind, is the major exporter of wind technology, and has created more than 82,000 jobs in the wind sector, and more than 200,000 total renewable-energy jobs. Wind power has become the country’s fastest-growing job creator over the past three decades.

Even the U.S. Energy Department has concluded that wind power could become the source of one fifth of that nation’s power by 2030, and other studies have shown that wind, solar, and biofuel energy could create five million U.S. jobs by 2030.

The problem with making major inroads on the climate challenge is not a lack of solutions; it is a lack of will.

David Suzuki: Renewable energy requires strength of will | Straight.com

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November 5, 2008 Posted by | ENERGY | Leave a comment

Derailment prompts uranium transport concern – ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

Derailment prompts uranium transport concern
ABC News 5 Nov 08

An environment group says a BHP Billiton proposal to transport uranium yellowcake through the Northern Territory should be reconsidered in light of a train derailment near Katherine.

Four carriages left the tracks west of Katherine yesterday and investigators are trying to determine the cause.

Justin Tutty from the No Waste Alliance says BHP’s proposal would see a trainload of radioactive material a day on the same rail line.

“We already have yellowcake coming from South Australia, but BHP’s proposal is something different,” Mr Tutty said.

“We are talking about huge volumes, up to 5,000 tonnes a day, a train movement every day of finely particularised concentrate.

“I don’t think the Territory is equipped to deal with a derailment or a collision involving this radioactive material.”……………………

“We have our eye on the NT Government’s inquiry into the transport of dangerous and hazardous materials in relation to the proposal for a nuclear waste dump,” he said.

“We are concerned about safety regarding the transport of nuclear waste, but this is a whole new ball game.

“This is far greater volumes, daily movements, and we are talking about a radioactive dust.”

Derailment prompts uranium transport concern – ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

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November 5, 2008 Posted by | safety | Leave a comment