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More radiation leakage from Fukushima nuclear power plant

Japan reports more radiation leakage   TOKYO, May 22 (UPI) –– At least 250 tons of radioactive water spilled into the Pacific Ocean from Japan’s earthquake-damaged Fukushima nuclear power plant, officials said.

The Tokyo Electric Power Co. said the radiated water leaked for 41 hours beginning May 10 from the No. 3 reactor at the site, where four of six reactors were damaged in the magnitude-9 earthquake and ensuing tsunami, Kyodo News reported. At a Sunday news conference in Tokyo, utility spokesman Junichi Matsumoto told reporters Tepco has drafted plans to install a water-circulation system to cool the spent-fuel pools at the plant by the end of July, The Wall Street Journal reported.

Since the disaster, officials have scrambled to prevent the radioactive cores from overheating and releasing catastrophic radiation clouds. As of Sunday, part of the stop-gap measures still involved the use of fire hoses to pump water into the reactors, the Journal said. Matsumoto acknowledged radioactive vapor can still be seen “depending on the weather and wind direction of the day,” the Journal said……Japan reports more radiation leakage – UPI.com

May 23, 2011 Posted by | - Fukushima 2011 | Leave a comment

Staggering financial costs of Fukushima continue to rise

it is clear that holes not only exist in the reactors at Fukushima but also in plans to bring the crisis under control……the issue of who is left holding the bag for the many costs associated with decontamination of the plant and surrounding facilities as well as rebuilding the dozens of communities wiped out by the tsunami. The amounts are staggering. Bank of America Corp.’s Merrill Lynch estimates TEPCO may face claims of 11 trillion yen ($136 billion).

Report From Tokyo: Left Holding the Bag,H UFFINGTON POST,  David Wagner, 23 May, 11, Each week that passes here brings new revelations about the unstable nature of the nuclear facility at Fukushima as a result of the earthquake and tsunami on March 11th. Most recently, it has been confirmed by Tokyo Electric Power (TEPCO) that units #1, #2 and #3 at the Daiichi Fukushima plant all have substantial contaminated water in the basements of each reactor building, reinforcing the suspicion that the containment vessels are damaged as they are not holding the water. This creates additional challenges for TEPCO as it tries to set up a continuous cooling system that will eliminate the threat of radiation leaks into the environment. Continue reading →

May 23, 2011 Posted by | - Fukushima 2011 | Leave a comment

Solar panels plan for all new buildings in Japan

Japan ‘plans solar panels for all new buildings’, Google News, (AFP) – 23 May 11TOKYO — Japan is considering a plan that would make it compulsory for all new buildings and houses to come fitted with solar panels by 2030, a business daily said Sunday.The plan, expected to be unveiled at the upcoming G8 Summit in France, aims to show Japan’s resolve to encourage technological innovation and promote the wider use of renewable energy, the Nikkei daily said……
AFP: Japan ‘plans solar panels for all new buildings’

May 23, 2011 Posted by | decentralised, Japan | Leave a comment

20,000 protest against nuclear power in Switzerland

Swiss protest nuclear power, Google News, (AFP) – 23 May 11, DOETTINGEN, Switzerland — About 20,000 people took part in an anti-nuclear demonstration in north Switzerland on Sunday ahead of a government decision on the future of atomic energy in the country.” At least 20,000″ protesters joined the march near the town of Doettingen and the Beznau nuclear power plant, Switzerland’s oldest, police and organisers said. Continue reading →

May 23, 2011 Posted by | opposition to nuclear, Switzerland | Leave a comment

Nuclear lobby’s comic book spin to Jaitapur villagers

AREVA, Cameco, and other nuclear companies have become skillful at targeting indigenous peoples with  comic strip books and promotions. They’ve also used these tactics in schools –   getting to unsophisticated people with cheerful, simplistic propaganda.

the comic narrates the story of Jagdishpur, a village that had been underdeveloped due to ignorance and superstition, but undergoes a transformation when a nuclear power plant is built there.

Comic relief for Jaitapur N-plant fears  Hindustan Times, Mumbai, May 23, 2011 The Nuclear Power Corporation of India (NPCIL) has turned to comic strips to dispel safety fears of villagers about atomic energy. The move by the Government-run nuclear plant operator is an attempt to address opposition by locals and activists to the planned nuclear power project in Jaitapur, Maharashtra and questions that may come up at sites of other proposed projects. The comic dwells on the benefits of atomic power Continue reading →

May 23, 2011 Posted by | India, spinbuster | Leave a comment

Decentralised solar energy a boon for local companies

“We’re recommending it to everyone,” ….. “We’ve certainly got our money’s worth.”

Many local companies laud effects of renewable energy efforts By Marc Munroe DionHerald News Staff Reporter 22 May 11, FALL RIVER — It’s been 15 months since linen manufacturer Matouk, 925 Airport Road, installed about 200 solar panels atop its building, which houses the company’s offices, manufacturing space and factory store.

Matouk Controller Peter Brust said it’s been a good deal for the company. Continue reading →

May 23, 2011 Posted by | decentralised, USA | Leave a comment

Japan’s Prime Minister up against nuclear lobby as he promises reforms

Japan tsunami: Survivors make emotional visit to Fukushima homes hit by nuclear meltdown | Mail Online 23 May 11, “……….Prime Minister Naoto Kan said Japan must rethink how nuclear power is regulated and explore other energy sources. Kan, battling low support rates, a feisty opposition and rebels in his own party, has pledged a blank-slate review of Japan’s current energy policy that aims to boost nuclear power to more than 50 percent of electricity supply by 2030 from about 30 percent now.
But whether he can break the grip of the politically powerful utilities companies remains in doubt. He also dodged questions about how big a role atomic energy would play in the country’s future….Japan tsunami: Survivors make emotional visit to Fukushima homes hit by nuclear meltdown | Mail Online

May 23, 2011 Posted by | general | Leave a comment

Ionising radiation the most proven environmental cause of cancer

the health impact of exposure is perhaps “the best understood, and certainly the most highly quantified dose-response relationship for any common environmental human carcinogen,” a report of the U.S. National Cancer Institute concluded…….the most stressful aspect of the Chernobyl results, in the final analysis, is that the accident surely caused thousands of deaths that cannot actually be identified. The Chernobyl fatalities, in that sense, are like the deaths of unknown soldiers……

Radiation Risks – IEEE Spectrum, Bill Sweet, May 22, 2011, “………..the accident showed that large radiation releases can occur in a light water reactor accident, not just in a defectively designed and operated Soviet-era reactor. So it’s important to be clear about Chernobyl’s long-term health impact. Continue reading →

May 23, 2011 Posted by | 2 WORLD, health | Leave a comment

Ionising radiation dangerous, electromagnetic radiation might be

Christina Macpherson's websites & blogs

This website is concerned with matters nuclear. In particular, ionising radiation is proven to be damaging to health, with no safe level.

We’ve been at pains to distinguish ionising radiation from other forms, such as electromagnetic radiation, whose health effects are not really known.

At the same time, we acknowledge that it’s possible that electromagnetic radiation is harmful to health. And so, we welcome the move to investigate this – Christina Macpherson

the renewed concern though is not just about mobile phones. WiFi is now in the frame. The panic button was pressed by an influential European committee that has compared the current situation of mobiles and WiFi to previous experiences of tobacco and asbestos.

Putting You on Hold. Mobile Phone and WiFi Radiation Scare Ramped up in Europe – Haydn Shaughnessy – Re:thinking Innovation – Forbes, 14 May 11,  The argument that mobile phones are bad for health was maybe due a reprise, so expect at least a round of calls for more research on their impact in the coming days, and possibly for outright bans in some circumstances (like schools). Continue reading →

May 23, 2011 Posted by | EUROPE, health | Leave a comment

Broadening spying on Julian Assange – Australian govt introduces new law

Last week the government introduced legislation to define ASIO’s role more broadly to include collection of intelligence ”about the capabilities, intentions or activities of people or organisations outside Australia.”..

ASIO eye on WikiLeaks,The Age 23 May 11, “………declassified official briefings do not support Ms Gillard’s public assertion that Assange broke Australian law by publishing leaked US government secrets. Continue reading →

May 23, 2011 Posted by | AUSTRALIA, civil liberties | Leave a comment

Debate over China’s nuclear policy

ANALYSIS: Questions remain on China’s nuclear stance,  Taipei Times, By J. Michael Cole / Staff Reporter, 23 May 11, A recent report on China’s nuclear weapons capabilities has re-ignited debate on the country’s nuclear policy and the overall lack of transparency surrounding the People’s Liberation Army (PLA). Continue reading →

May 23, 2011 Posted by | China, weapons and war | Leave a comment