Polynesian nuclear workers criticise French compensation offer | Medical Association for Prevention of War
Polynesian nuclear workers criticise French compensation offer
Medical Association for the Prevention of War 13/12/2008 French nuclear veterans have strongly criticised a proposed new law covering compensation for survivors of French nuclear testing in Algeria and French Polynesia. The law would cover former nuclear workers and military personnel whose health was affected by French nuclear tests – but survivors say few people would be eligible.
the announcement has been greeted with scorn by civilian and military personnel who staffed the nuclear tests sites from 1960 until 1996. They argue that the proposed legislation ignores a number of key concerns that have been central to their lobbying over the last decade, and has been designed to replace more comprehensive laws. They argue that almost no survivors would be eligible for compensation, and that thresholds for radiation exposure are well above accepted international safety standards.For many years, there have been repeated statements by government ministers and officials that no one was adversely affected by radiation exposure during the era of French nuclear testing. In Algeria, France conducted four atmospheric tests and 13 underground tests (1960 – 1965). In French Polynesia, 46 atmospheric and 147 underground tests were held at Moruroa and Fangataufa atolls (1966 – 1996).
Tags: nuclear, antinnuclear, radioactive, uranium
AFP: US refuses Marshalls bid to use aid for nuclear victims
US refuses Marshalls bid to use aid for nuclear victims
MAJURO (AFP) 12 Dec 08 — The US has refused a request by the Marshall Islands to use grant money to compensate victims of the American nuclear weapons testing programme in the western Pacific atoll nation, officials said.The US tested 67 nuclear weapons at Bikini and Enewetak atolls from 1946 to 1958 and a Nuclear Claims Tribunal was set up by the two governments to compensate those displaced or suffering health problems due to the tests.But the 150 million dollars the United States provided for paying settlements ran out three years ago and the US State Department has said there is no obligation to pay more.More than 22 million dollars remains unpaid for personal injury awards and about two billion dollars is outstanding for land damage awards made by the tribunal.
AFP: US refuses Marshalls bid to use aid for nuclear victims
Two Good Reasons to Reconsider Scans, such as CT and MRI
Two Good Reasons to Reconsider Scans, such as CT and MRI
Natural News December 05, 2008 by: Reuben Chow, citizen journalist – “……………….A recent study conducted by a team from the University of California-San Francisco has found that the use of such medical imaging tools is playing its part in rising health care costs, while at the same time subjecting patients to increasing levels of radiation exposure……………………………ne of the main problems, in my book, is that we cannot effectively quantity the damage done by advanced medical imaging. How many cases of breast cancer, for example, are caused in large part by excessive exposure to radiation from annual mammograms?
Some research has also suggested that such tests uncover problems which might have gone away on their own anyway, and carrying out the tests could have unnecessarily opened a can of worms. Recent research in Norway, for example, suggested the “possibility that the natural course of some screen-detected invasive breast cancers is to spontaneously regress”. Once discovered, however, the medical-go-round usually begins – more tests, surgeries, chemotherapy, radiation, the works. In this scenario, how many women are actually hurt by the results of the scans they went through?……………
When it comes to medical imaging, is more necessarily better? As Dr Smith-Bindman said, “The new technologies are fantastic, but they should be used judiciously.”
Uranium – a blessing or a curse?
Uranium – a blessing or a curse?
Marketplace Herbert Jauch 5 Dec 08 “………………….. Following the release of a uranium study by the director of the Labour Resource and Research Institute, Hilma Shindondola-Mote, earlier this year, mineworkers and environmental organisations have raised concerns.At the heart of the dispute is whether a mushrooming uranium mining industry is a curse or a blessing for Namibia………………………..Exposure to even relatively low levels of radiation over a long period can be extremely harmful to the health of workers and communities living around uranium mines.
Several workers who spent long years working at uranium mines developed serious health problems.
Cancerous strains are commonplace as workers are exposed to dust and radon gas daily and thus develop diseases such as TB and lung cancer.
Although mining companies usually deny any responsibility and refuse to compensate workers, there is increasing evidence of a link between uranium mining and workers’ health problems.
Uranium mining uses an enormous amount of water.
In a recent article in The Namibian, the writer pointed out that the proposed uranium mine by the Canadian company Forsys Metal, would use 1 million litres of water each day……………….
Situated on the Valencia farm in the Erongo region, the mine would consume in only three months the amount of water that the current users in the area would consume in 36 years.
Given that all existing and envisaged uranium mines are in the Namib desert, one needs to ask if it is wise to spend Namibia’s most scarce resource – water – on mining operations that may only bring short-term benefits.
All existing and proposed uranium mining sites are in the Namib desert, mostly in the protected area of the Namib Naukluft Park.
Besides using huge amounts of water, uranium mining also leaves large craters as it relies on open-pit operations.
Once mining activities cease, the huge holes remain.
Furthermore, radioactive dust particles may be blown over many kilometres.
This brings mining into direct conflict with tourism ventures that rely on Namibia’s natural beauty as a main attraction.
National Survey of Radiologists Reveals Systemic Problems Hurting Industry and Patient Care
National Survey of Radiologists Reveals Systemic Problems Hurting Industry and Patient Care
Almost Seventy Percent Report Unnecessary or Duplicative Scans
RSNA 2008CHICAGO–(BUSINESS WIRE) 3 Dec 08 –A national survey released today (at RSNA) uncovers a host of systemic problems and challenges that are hindering radiologists’ ability to control skyrocketing demand and negatively impacting patient diagnosis and care……………… The study also discovered that almost seven in ten radiologists surveyed (69%) reported experiencing unnecessary or duplicative scans in the past six months. The growing national concern over the dramatic rise in CT scans nationally stems from evidence of increased cancer risk due to overexposure to radiation. Totaling 62 million CT scans annually1, the amount performed in the U.S. has nearly doubled between 2000 and 20052 with more than 30 percent deemed to be unnecessary or redundant each year3.
National Survey of Radiologists Reveals Systemic Problems Hurting Industry and Patient Care
iafrica.com | technology | news | science Climate change heats up
Climate change heats up iafrica.com By: Marlowe Hood 1 Dec 08 “………………………..
Arctic meltdown……………..When the reflective ice surface retreats, the Sun’s radiation — heat — is absorbed by open water rather than bounced back into the atmosphere, creating a vicious circle of heating.
“We had always known that the Arctic was going to respond first,” said Mark Serreze of the National Snow and Ice Data Center in Boulder, Colorado. “What has us puzzled is that the changes are even faster than we would have thought possible,” he said by phone………………………
Rising oceans New data on the rate at which oceans might rise has also caused consternation.
“The most recent IPCC report was prior to … the measurements of increasing mass loss from Greenland and Antarctica, which are disintegrating much faster than IPCC estimates,” said climatologist James Hansen, head of NASA’s Goddard Institute for Space Studies in New York.
Unlike the Arctic ice cap, which floats on water, the world’s two major ice sheets — up to three kilometres thick — sit on land.
Runaway sea level rises, Hansen said, would put huge coastal cities and agricultural deltas in Bangladesh, Egypt and southern China under water, and create hundreds of millions of refugees.
The IPCC’s most recent assessment “did not take into account the potential melting of Greenland, which I think was a mistake,” said Watson, the former IPCC chairman.
Were Greenland’s entire ice block to melt, it would lift the world’s sea levels by almost seven metres, while western Antarctica’s ice sheet holds enough water to add six metres…………………………Atmospheric issues The accelerating concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, and signs of the planet’s dwindling ability to absorb them, are also causing some scientists to lose sleep…………………..
One potential source of both gases is frozen tundra in the Arctic and sub-Arctic regions, where temperatures have risen faster than anywhere else on Earth.
“The amount of carbon that is locked up in permafrost that could be released into the atmosphere is just about on a par with the atmospheric load the world has right now,” said Serreze.
These higher concentrations of greenhouse gases come at a time when Earth’s two major “carbon sinks” — forests and especially oceans — are showing signs of saturation.
iafrica.com | technology | news | science Climate change heats up
Australia cries foul over climate rules on developing countries | The Australian
Australia cries foul over climate rules on developing countries
THE AUSTRALIAN enore Taylor, National correspondent | November 26, 2008CANBERRA is pushing to change the rules for international climate change talks in Copenhagen next year to prevent rich developed countries, such as Singapore and South Korea, being required to do less because the Kyoto Protocol classifies them as developing.
Australia argues that the next global climate change deal should require binding economy-wide targets of developed countries, with unspecified binding “action” required of developing nations. But, in its submission to the UN ahead of next month’s meeting in Poznan, Poland, to prepare for the Copenhagen talks, the Australian Government says the Kyoto delineation of developed and developing is unfair…………………….
International Energy Agency executive director Nobuo Tanaka told The Australian yesterday countries such as Australia should not delay greenhouse measures due to the global financial crisis.
“It is not the case that the global financial crisis should delay measures to mitigate climate change because the cost will only get higher in the future,” Mr Tanaka said.
He warned oil prices could soar after the financial crisis and urged governments to spend some of their fiscal stimulus on renewable energy and energy efficiency projects.
Australia cries foul over climate rules on developing countries | The Australian
Tags: globalwarming, climate change
Why won’t our doctors face up to the dangers of radiotherapy? | Mail Online
Why won’t our doctors face up to the dangers of radiotherapy?
MailOnline (UK) By Isla WhitcroftLast updated at 11:06 PM on 24th November 2008 It’s a life-saver for thousands – but the side-effects can be devastating. – “…………….many thousands of cancer survivors … have developed terrible conditions as a result of the radiotherapy treatment that helped save them.…………………It is clear that radiation damage is a significant health care issue. Yet, to date, there has been no national attempt to collate statistics that would enable any significant research work to begin.
Remarkably, it is not even officially classified as a specific medical condition; nor is there any definitive information on how to deal with it.
As a result, when it comes to treating the problems, patients can be offered a mix of options. Some are treated by a urologist, others are referred to a gastroenterologist, or an ear, nose and throat expert, while women often see a gynaecologist. This means many people will go undiagnosed for months and often years……………………….Oncologist Paul Cornes, who runs clinics for patients with radiotherapy damage.
‘It is not a deliberate cover up; but in the past, cancer medicine was all about the treatment and giving patients a chance of life. Now we must address quality of life after cancer.’
Why won’t our doctors face up to the dangers of radiotherapy? | Mail Online
Fed report vindicates ill Gulf War vets | floridatoday.com | FLORIDA TODAY
Fed report vindicates ill Gulf War vetsBY R. NORMAN MOODY • FLORIDA TODAY • November 23, 2008- “…………………….government report acknowledged for the first time that Gulf War syndrome is real.
At least one-fourth of the nearly 700,000 U.S. veterans who served in the 1990-91 war suffer a form of the illness, which has symptoms including chronic headaches and memory problems, the report by the Research Advisory Committee on Gulf War Veterans’ Illnesses found. The committee was created by Congress to look into veterans’ health complaints………………………..According to the study, there also were reports that the military used uranium-tipped munitions. They make rounds harder and more piercing, but they may have exposed some troops to carcinogenic material.
Fed report vindicates ill Gulf War vets | floridatoday.com | FLORIDA TODAY
WWW.WPCVA.COM
STAR TRIBUNE Sue Pruitt November 12, 2008 – “……………….Do they think if you do not live near the mines that they will be safe? The answer is no.
Winds from open-pit uranium can blow uranium-laced dust up to 50 or more miles away.
Floods can wash uranium tailings into our rivers, and radon gas can be carried by the winds.
Remember the fires in North Carolina; the smoke made it as far as Roanoke. The winds will carry the uranium particles to all parts of the county and the City of Danville, plus Halifax County, North Carolina, etc.
Water contamination, heavy rains will flood the uranium tailings ponds, which means overflow will happen.
This means the Banister River will be polluted. The river flows toward the drinking water for Halifax and Bugs Island, which goes to Virginia Beach and Kerr Lake for the Raleigh- Durham area. Eventually it makes its way to the sounds of North Carolina and the Atlantic………………….The great and innovative people of our country can rise to our energy problems without decimating our environment, communities and future generations.
Tags: nuclear, antinuclear, radioactive, uranium
Australians march against climate change | Environment | Reuters
Australians march against climate change
SYDNEY (Reuters) – Tens of thousands of Australians took part in mass protests around the country Saturday to call for tough government action on climate change, organizers said.
The demonstrations were held as Australia prepares to set national greenhouse gas emissions targets, expected around the end of this month. Environmentalists accuse industry of pushing for targets that are likely to compromise the environment.
Australia is the world’s 16th biggest carbon polluter, producing about 1.5 percent of the world’s global emissions. It is the fourth largest emitter per person, with five times the pollution per person of China.
The center-left government will outline its preferred emissions following public consultations involving global miners such as BHP Billiton and power companies like AGL Energy………………………..Cate Faehrmann, executive director of the Nature Conservation Council of New South Wales state, said the march came amid a background of pressure from the fossil fuels industry for the government to adopt relatively soft emissions targets……………..
“There is not enough investment in renewable energy in this country. Job creation can occur there.”
Australia was one of the longest holdouts against the Kyoto protocol, which Prime Minister Kevin Rudd finally committed the country to joining following his landslide election win last year, leaving the United States as the only major country not to have joined it.
Australians march against climate change | Environment | Reuters
Tags: globalwarming
Tonawanda News – HEALTH: Schumer calls for action on nuclear program
HEALTH: Schumer calls for action on nuclear program
By Mark Scheer The Tonawanda News 13 Nov 08 U.S Sen. Charles Schumer, D-New York, has asked the U.S. Department of Labor to speed up the processing of compensation claims filed by Western New Yorkers who took part in the development of the nation’s nuclear weapons program during the Cold War……………………..“The one thing our Cold War heroes who were exposed to nuclear radiation don’t have is time,” Schumer said. “The Department of Labor must put their applications for much-deserved health compensation on the fast track immediately.”…………………….Workers who can document their employment history and who have contracted radioactive cancer, beryllium disease or chronic silicosis after working at sites where nuclear weapons work was performed are able to apply for compensation. The workers have long contended that the federal government is purposely delaying the processing of compensation claims to avoid having to pay benefits. While Western New York has one of the highest concentrations of facilities involved in the development of the nation’s nuclear weapons program, Schumer says it continues to lag behind in terms of the number of claims processed.
Tonawanda News – HEALTH: Schumer calls for action on nuclear program
Tags: Nuclear, antinuclear, radioactive, uranium
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
Tags: nuclear, antinuclear, radioactive, uranium
D.C. hospital gets ‘dirty bomb’ sensors – USATODAY.com
D.C. hospital gets ‘dirty bomb’ sensors
By Mimi Hall, USA TODAY 5 Nov 08WASHINGTON — 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
Tags: nuclear, antinuclear, radioactive, uranium
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
Tags: globalwarming, climate change
1 This Month
26 April – Chernobyl: Inside the Meltdown airs on National Geographic on Sunday 26th April from 4pm
29 April – Nuclear Expert Webinar #1 – Radiation Impacts on Families with Mary Olson and Cindy Folkers
- 12:15 PM MT – 1:45 PM MT
- Location: Virtual – REGISTER TODAY
4 May -West Suburban Peace Coalition to discuss Iran war at May Educational Forum
Monday, May 4, 7:00 – 8:00 PM Central Standard Time
Title: : How Trump’s Narrative Tries to Shape the Reality of the War on Iran.
Contact Walt Zlotow, zlotow@hotmail.com 630 442 3045 for further information
14 May – online event From Bombs to Data Centres: the Face of Nuclear Colonialism
Pine Ridge Uranium is the real threat, not Tehran- Tell Burgum: Stop the Extraction.
Chernobyl: The Lost Tapes – A good documentary on Chernobyl on SBS available On Demand for the next 3 weeks– https://www.sbs.com.au/ondemand/tv-program/chernobyl-the-lost-tapes/2352741955560
To see nuclear-related stories in greater depth and intensity – go to https://nuclearinformation.wordpress.com
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