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Southern California planning to manage summer without nuclear energy

California Nuclear Plants May Not Resume by Summer Energy Biz, Wayne Barber | May 16, 2012 A new report released by Friends of the Earth (FOE) says it would be unwise for Southern California Edison (SCE) to run the San Onofre nuclear power plant at reduced power.

The Edison International (NYSE: EIX) subsidiary has indicated that both units of the 2,200-MW nuclear station will probably remain offline this summer and the California Independent System Operator (Cal ISO) has been drafting contingency plans to keep the lights on in Southern California without the nuclear plant…. http://www.energybiz.com/article/12/05/california-nuclear-plants-may-not-resume-summer

May 18, 2012 Posted by | general | Leave a comment

New devices to detect ionising radiation

Firms say new gear visually detects radiation hot spots, Japan Times, 18 May 12, A number of companies have started marketing equipment and devices that enable inspectors to visually detect radiation hot spots.

The devices are expected to be a great help to municipalities and construction companies engaged in decontamination work in areas affected by the nuclear crisis at Tokyo Electric Power Co.’s Fukushima No. 1 power plant.

Hitachi Consumer Electronics Co. has developed a camera that can detect gamma rays emitted by radioactive substances 10 or more meters away. The box-shaped device, which weighs 16.8 kg and measures 34 cm in all dimensions, is highly portable, the company says.
It detects three kinds of radioactive material — cesium-134, cesium-137 and iodine-131…..
http://www.japantimes.co.jp/text/nn20120518b1.html

May 18, 2012 Posted by | Japan, Reference, technology | Leave a comment

Let’s not forget that old-fashioned danger- ultraviolet radiation to eyes

UV rays can penetrate the internal structures of the eye, causing serious temporary and permanent vision disorders. Short term damage can range from bloodshot or sensitive eyes, to painful conditions like photokeratitis (sunburn of the eye). Meanwhile high doses of UV radiation can lead to long term health issues like cataracts, abnormal eye growths, cancer of the eye and surrounding skin, and macular degeneration.

New Report Outlines UV Danger to Eyes from Missing Sunglasses Market Watch, ALEXANDRIA, Va., May 17, 2012 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ — More than 55 percent of adults in the United States lose or break their sunglasses every year, according to a new report by The Vision Council. For these and the 27 percent of adults who do not wear
sunglasses, exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation could end up costing them a lot more than a new pair of shades.

The report, Finding Your Shades, Protecting Your Vision, outlines the long and short term
effects that can occur as a result of cumulative UV exposure, and the protective measures necessary to prevent them.

UV radiation remains a threat to eye health, yet few understand the
risk and consequences of cumulative UV exposure. The report includes
recent survey findings from The Vision Council that found that 20
percent of people do not feel that their eyes are at risk for sun
exposure and 11 percent do not believe that unprotected exposure to UV
rays causes health problems. The survey also found that many Americans
aren’t protecting their eyes – or their children’s eyes – with proper
use of sunglasses.

UV rays can penetrate the internal structures of the eye, causing serious temporary and permanent vision disorders. Short term damage can range from bloodshot or sensitive eyes, to painful conditions like photokeratitis (sunburn of the eye). Meanwhile high doses of UV radiation can lead to long term health issues like cataracts, abnormal eye growths, cancer of the eye and surrounding skin, and macular degeneration.

“Sunglasses and other UV protective prescription eyewear remain the
best defense against UV damage to vision,” said Paul Michelson, M.D.,
chairperson of the Better Vision Institute. “In my practice, I’ve seen
firsthand the painful and sometimes devastating consequences of
unprotected UV eye exposure, most of which could be prevented by using
UV-blocking sunglasses.”….
http://www.marketwatch.com/story/new-report-outlines-uv-danger-to-eyes-from-missing-sunglasses-2012-05-17

May 18, 2012 Posted by | health, USA | Leave a comment

Apple going renewable energy

Apple to power main data centre using renewable energy, Technology Spectator, 18 May 2012 Apple plans to power its main US data center entirely with renewable energy by the end of this year, taking steps to address longstanding environmental concerns about the rapid expansion of high-consuming computer server farms. Continue reading →

May 18, 2012 Posted by | renewable, USA | Leave a comment

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