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As radioactivity lingers, most of Japan’s evacuees not returning home

 “We can’t go home even if we want to, out of consideration for our children,”

More than half of nuclear radiation zone evacuees in Japan have yet to return home, The Australian Eye, By Nigel Shelbourne, December 31, 2011 FUKUSHIMA, Japan _ Fifty-four percent of evacuees from areas between 20 and 30 kilometers (12.5 and 18.6 miles) of the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant in Japan have yet to return home, three months after the government lifted its emergency evacuation preparation zones. Continue reading →

January 2, 2012 Posted by | environment, Japan | Leave a comment

Uranium’s radiation danger: Port Hope and Huntington

“Contrary to statements provided by federal government agencies, no level of radiation is safe and it is cumulative — each dose adds to the risk of cancer. Children are 10 to 20 times more radiosensitive than adults, and fetuses are extremely sensitive,”

Port Hope Uranium Plant Contamination Circumstances Contain Similarities to Huntington’s Buried Uranium Plant, December 29, 2011  BY TONY RUTHERFORD HUNTINGTON NEWS Port Hope has a water treatment plant supplying its drinking water. Incredibly, adjacent to this water treatment plant, is a huge factory which emits uranium gas and dust into the air and Lake Ontario. Continue reading →

December 30, 2011 Posted by | Canada, environment, Uranium | 1 Comment

UK’s legacy of radiation from World War 2

Former RAF base at Little Rissington named by MoD as contaminated Cotswold Journal,  29th December 2011 THE former Red Arrows site at Little Rissington has been revealed by the MoD as one of 15 places in the UK to be contaminated by radioactivity from the Second World War.

A dozen such sites, which have not been made public by the ministry before, were revealed after a parliamentary question was asked of MP Andrew Robathan earlier this month…… Building work has already started on a raft of other amenities including a primary school, health centre and shops, and leisure facilities are planned for the site.

Lionel Teague, chairman of the Little Rissington Parish Council, said the council was unaware of the contamination…… The contamination comes from radium used to coat the dials of aircraft and other equipment to illuminate them in the dark. The radium comes from scrap
that was burned and dumped in the 1940s and 50s….. http://www.cotswoldjournal.co.uk/news/9441673.Ex_RAF_base_radiation_alert/

December 30, 2011 Posted by | environment, UK | Leave a comment

China continues research on Fukushima radiation in Pacific Ocean

China conducts second radiation monitor in Pacific Ocean By Yu Jianbin (People’s Daily Overseas Edition), December 29, 2011 Edited and translated by People’s Daily Online A marine monitoring team dispatched by China’s State Oceanic Administration accomplished the mission of monitoring radiation in the western Pacific Ocean for the second time, and returned to Xiamen on Dec. 27 aboard the Xiangyanghong 09 scientific exploration ship.

The monitoring team sailed about 6,100 nautical miles in 30 days, and monitored radiation in the air over and water in the western Pacific Ocean as well as radiation-sensitive sea creatures, chemistry and dynamic environments.

This is the second time that China has monitored radiation in international waters in the western Pacific Ocean.

The aim of the mission is to gain a deeper understanding of the impact of Japan’s Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster on the western Pacific Ocean and China’s marine environment, and to help build a western Pacific marine environmental monitoring and early warning system.
http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/202936/7691886.html

December 30, 2011 Posted by | China, oceans | 1 Comment

Uranium mining harmful to Tanzania, benefits only foreign investors

companies mining uranium had never solved problems associated with extraction of the minerals and also they had never employed good way of settling remains of the minerals after the mining activity is complete.

that mining activities benefited more investors than Tanzanians.

“Take an example of Niger, they are now suffering from the impacts of uranium extraction, including high levels of environmental degradation,”

PP Media 28 Dec 11, “………The Legal and Human Rights Centre Legal Officer in-charge of Corporate and Environment Flaviana Charles says the metal posses dangers not only to human beings but to animals and environment.
Already companies including Mantra (T) and Uranex (T) limited are exploring the minerals in various parts including Namtumbo (Mkuju River Project) Bahi and Manyoni, a move which has been criticised by majority of the members of public including legislators.

“We have decided to take the initiative to raise awareness to the public on this new mineral expected to start being mined in the country,” says Charles. Continue reading →

December 29, 2011 Posted by | AFRICA, environment, Uranium | Leave a comment

Fukushima radiation in Japan’s mushrooms and forests

Radiation fears spread to forest industry SHIROISHI, Mainichi Daily News, 26 Dec 11 Miyagi –– Radiation fears stemming from the ongoing crisis at the Fukushima No. 1 Nuclear Power Plant and radiation monitoring activities are raising concern among people handling trees to grow mushrooms and make charcoal.

Forest workers are very concerned about any potential fallout from the nuclear crisis because they have to independently monitor radiation before applying to the plant operator, Tokyo Electric Power Co. (TEPCO), for compensation, unlike farmers and fishermen who have
standing in law.

Decontamination work in the mountains is said to be much more difficult than on flat land Continue reading →

December 27, 2011 Posted by | environment, Japan | Leave a comment

Ionizing radiation a possibility as cause of seal deaths

Some wonder if radiation could be causing the skin sores and related problems, including ulcers on internal organs and abnormal growths on brains

Is it possible that the ringed seals traveled to a contaminated area?

Or did they eat prey contaminated by radiation?

Is radiation causing Arctic Alaska ringed-seal deaths? Alaska Dispatch  Alex DeMarban | Dec 23, 2011 The University of Alaska Fairbanks’ Institute of Marine Sciences is launching an investigation into whether radiation, including possibly from the Fukoshima Daiichi nuclear power-plant disaster in Japan, has harmed or killed more than 100 ringed seals off Alaska’s coasts. Continue reading →

December 26, 2011 Posted by | environment, USA | Leave a comment

Radiation study on muttonbirds in the Pacific

Muttonbirds in radiation study Stuff.co.nz MICHAEL DALY, 22 Dec 11, New Zealand muttonbirds are being studied to see if they were affected by radiation from Japan’s damaged
nuclear power plant.

Samples are being taken from the birds as part of the research into the effects of radiation from the Fukushima plant, …. The research aims to determine the degree to which the mutton bird population was exposed to radiation.

Experts have said the Fukushima disaster was responsible for the largest single release of radioactivity into the ocean, threatening wildlife and fisheries in the region.

Millions of the birds, known as sooty shearwaters, come to this country to breed during the summer months before heading north during the colder southern months….Adams said it was planned to take tissue samples from birds in this country in late March or early April.

Sooty shearwaters had been chosen for the research mainly because they were one of the most abundant seabirds in the Pacific…. http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/6179864/Muttonbirds-in-radiation-study

December 22, 2011 Posted by | New Zealand, oceans | Leave a comment

Report on uranium mining and milling in Virginia

Highlights of  National Academy of Sciences’ report on uranium mining and milling in Virginia

Uranium report says local sites not viable Fredricksburg.com, By RUSTY DENNEN, 19 Dec 11“.……Virginia Uranium Inc.’s Coles Hill site in Pittsylvania County   is the only commercially viable site in the state. Uranium mining and processing carries with it a wide range  of
potential adverse human health risks.

A detailed assessment of both the potential site and its surrounding area (including natural, historical and social characteristics) would be needed.

It is not yet possible to predict what specific type of uranium mining or processing might apply to ore deposits in Virginia. A mining project could affect  surface water quality and quantity, groundwater quality and quantity, soils, air quality  and organisms in
the vicinity.

Because of the 1982 moratorium, the state has no experience regulating uranium mining and there is no  regulatory infrastructure. Planning should take into account all aspects of the process—including the eventual closure, site remediation and reclamation—prior to initiation of a project, and  there should be opportunities for publicinvolvement throughout.
For more on the report, nationalacademies.org —National Research Council of the National Academies http://blogs.fredericksburg.com/newsdesk/2011/12/19/uranium-report-says-local-sites-not-viable/

December 21, 2011 Posted by | environment, Uranium, USA | Leave a comment

Radiation monitoring of Japan’s forest monkeys

Monkeys to Track Fallout at Japan’s Fukushima Nuclear Plant, ABC News, 12 Dec 11 Wild monkeys have been enlisted by Japanese researchers to obtain detailed readings of radiation levels in forests near the troubled Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Plant.
Professor Takayuki Takahashi and his team of scientists at Fukushima University are fitting nearly 1000 animals with radiation meters and GPS transmitters in order to track the spread of radiation leaked from
March’s nuclear accident, the worst in Japan’s history…. Researchers also hope to monitor the amount of radiation exposure in wild animals. The project is being launched in partnership with Minamisoma, one of the cities hardest hit by the nuclear disaster. Radiation fears
prompted more than half of its 67,000 residents to evacuate, in Fukushima’s aftermath. A third of the city sits inside the 12 mile government mandated exclusion zone, deemed too dangerous for people to live in. In the larger Fukushima prefecture, more than 80,000
residents have been displaced by the nuclear disaster.
With 14 monkey colonies in Minamisoma’s forests alone, Takahashi is hopeful his researchers will get a broad spectrum of readings, from the ground level to the highest trees.  The collars equipped with radiation meters and GPS transmitters will be detachable by remote
control, but the plan is to keep the devices on the animals, for decades. Takahashi says his team will begin monitoring levels next spring.
http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/headlines/2011/12/monkeys-to-track-fallout-at-japans-fukushima-nuclear-plant/

December 14, 2011 Posted by | environment, Japan | Leave a comment

Four radioactively contaminated Minstry of Defence sites in Scotland

the MoD had offered the site to the Scottish Government for £1. The offer was refused, largely because of serious impediments related to the site, all of which had significant
financial implications. 

The MoD is institutionally incapable of transparency for security reasons – but that has invaded its corporate culture and it is now constitutionally incapable of honesty..

Four new MoD sites identified with radiation contamination – including Machrihanis ForArgyll.com,  December 12, 2011 Four new sites in Scotland  – all owned by the Ministry of Defence, have been identified as radiation contaminated, with an immediate call from MSPs for urgent action to ensure public safety. Continue reading →

December 14, 2011 Posted by | environment, secrets,lies and civil liberties, UK | Leave a comment

Potential for environmental catastrophe with uranium mining in Pittsylvania

digging up and processing the uranium will create 28 million tons of radioactive waste – enough to fill 145 Super Walmart stores – that could poison local wells and seep into the Roanoke River, contaminating the drinking water for nearly 2 million people downstream of the mine.

A study by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency found that the dust from uranium mines can spread up to 50 miles, which would include Smith Mountain Lake and parts of the Roanoke Valley.

Uranium in Pittsylvania County: buried treasure or threat?, By Laurence Hammack and Michael Sluss The Roanoke Times, 13 Dec 11“….. a potential public health and environmental disaster. Do the risks of uranium mining outweigh the benefits? That will soon be a question for the General Assembly, which is expected to decide at its upcoming session whether to lift a 30-year moratorium on the practice. Continue reading →

December 14, 2011 Posted by | environment, Uranium, USA | 1 Comment

Many thousands of tons of radioactive water accumulating at Fukushima

Tepco estimates that the amount of treated water requiring storage is increasing by 200 to 500 tons every day. 

Japan’s earthquake-hit nuclear plant scraps plan to dump water in sea, Reuters  Tokyo December 12, 2011 Japan’s utility operating the crippled Fukushima nuclear power plant said on Friday it has scrapped a plan to dump water it treated for radiation contamination into the sea following fierce protests from fishing groups. Continue reading →

December 12, 2011 Posted by | Japan, oceans, wastes | Leave a comment

Full cleanup of Fukushima area to begin in March or later

Japan to Begin Radiation Cleanup from Late March or Later Arirang, DEC 12, 2011, Reporter : emilyfwang@arirang.co.kr Over in Japan where authorities are still struggling to contain the nuclear fallout from March’s earthquake and tsunami the government says a full radiation cleanup of areas contaminated by radiation from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant disaster can only begin in March next year, at the earliest. Continue reading →

December 12, 2011 Posted by | environment, Japan | Leave a comment

Radioactive strontium one million times over limit into ocean from Fukushima

“The source of the beta radiation in the water is likely to include strontium 90, which if absorbed in the body through eating tainted seaweed or fish, accumulates in bone and can cause cancer,”

Fukushima floods into Pacific Ocean, Strontium becomes One Million Times over Limit, The Canadian, 07 DECEMBER 2011   The woes of Fukushima are far from over as the plant’s owner, the Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO), announced recently that a purification mechanism has leaked at least 45 tons of highly radioactive water, some of which ended up flowing directly into the ocean. TEPCO officials are reportedly in the process of investigating the situation to determine the extent of the damage caused. Continue reading →

December 9, 2011 Posted by | Japan, oceans, Reference | 1 Comment

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