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Missing radioactive capsule found in Western Australia

Authorities in Australia say they have found a tiny radioactive capsule
which went missing last week. Emergency services had “literally found the
needle in the haystack”, authorities in Western Australia said. A huge
search was triggered when the object was lost while being transported along
a 1,400km (870-mile) route across the state.

Mining giant Rio Tinto
apologised for losing the device, which could have posed a serious danger
if handled. The capsule – which is 6mm (0.24 inches) in diameter and 8mm
long – contains a small quantity of Caesium-137, which could cause skin
damage, burns or radiation sickness.

Emergency services used specialised
equipment including radiation detectors during their hunt. Announcing their
find on Wednesday, the state emergency services paid tribute to
“inter-agency teamwork in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds”. The
capsule was found when a vehicle equipped with specialist equipment, which
was travelling at 70 km/h, detected radiation, officials said. Portable
detection equipment was then used to locate the capsule, which was found
about 2 metres from the side of the road, they added.

BBC 1st Feb 2023

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-australia-64481317

Times 1st Feb 2023

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/missing-radioactive-capsule-found-australia-search-vk5crqk03

February 1, 2023 Posted by | AUSTRALIA, incidents | Leave a comment

Sea level rise will threaten UK coastal towns

A number of Somerset towns could be left underwater by 2090 if pollution
levels remain unchecked, according to a study. Climate Central’s map of the
county shows how the current coastline will change within a lifetime to
wash away settlements near the sea. Levels are predicted to rise by one
metre over the next 69 years, flooding Weston-super-Mare, Clevedon and
Avonmouth. However, it is not only seaside towns that will lose ground. A
huge stretch of the M5 between Burnham-on-Sea and Bridgwater will also be
underwater.

Somerset Live 31st Jan 2023

https://www.somersetlive.co.uk/news/somerset-news/somerset-towns-could-underwater-2090-8091726

February 1, 2023 Posted by | climate change, UK | Leave a comment

Blasts near Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant

The UN nuclear watchdog reported Thursday (26 January) that there were
powerful explosions close to the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant in Ukraine.
This prompted renewed calls for a zone of security around the facility.
Russian officials dismissed comments made by Rafael Grossi (head of the
International Atomic Energy Agency, IAEA), claiming that they suggested
Moscow couldn’t uphold nuclear safety.

EU Reporter 31st Jan 2023

Blasts near Ukraine nuclear plant, says UN watchdog

February 1, 2023 Posted by | incidents, Ukraine | Leave a comment

Risks around Ukraine’s nukes grow — Beyond Nuclear

Just this week, we learn of yet more shelling all too close to the six-reactor Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in Ukraine, caught up in the most extensive fighting taking place in the southeast region of the country. As we approach one year since Russia invaded Ukraine, on February 24, 2022, the risks to Ukraine’s 15…

Risks around Ukraine’s nukes grow — Beyond Nuclear

Just this week, we learn of yet more shelling all too close to the six-reactor Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in Ukraine, caught up in the most extensive fighting taking place in the southeast region of the country. As we approach one year since Russia invaded Ukraine, on February 24, 2022, the risks to Ukraine’s 15 reactors at four sites have not abated. On the contrary, they are significantly worse as the war now threatens to escalate to an even greater level of intensity.

While the International Atomic Energy Agency and its director, Rafael Grossi, continue to urge both sides not to engage in combat close to the nuclear plants so that safe zones can be created around them, these are yet to be implemented. An IAEA observer team is reportedly once again making its way toward Zaporizhzhia, in an effort to establish an independent assessment of what exactly is happening there.

All the nuclear power plant disaster scenarios that we warned of even before the war began, remain an ever-present danger, including complete loss of power leading to a loss of coolant disaster, and potentially meltdowns, fires and explosions; human error with a workforce laboring under duress, particularly at the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia site where some workers have reportedly fled or simply disappeared; and the prospect of an accidental or deliberate bombardment.

For a complete and more detailed analysis of where things stand regarding the nuclear plants in Ukraine, see our article this week on Beyond Nuclear International.

February 1, 2023 Posted by | Uncategorized | Leave a comment

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