Radiation poisoning of Navajo due to uranium mining
The Church Roc
k flood is only one incident among many in the “slow-motion disaster” investigative journalist Judy Pasternak comprehensively recounts in her chilling new book, “Yellow Dirt: An American Story of a Poisoned Land and a People Betrayed.”
“Yellow Dirt”: Radioactive reservation, The shocking story of how industry and government poisoned and then abandoned the Navajo Nation, Salon.com, Laura Miller, 19 Sept 10,
In the summer of 1979, an earthen dam over the town of Church Rock, Utah, broke, flooding the arroyo below and then the bed of the Rio Puerco (an intermittent stream) on the southern border of the Navajo Nation. It was a small flood, but a dangerous one. It burned the feet of a boy who stepped into it, and caused sheep and crops along the banks to drop dead. That’s because the pond it came from had been used by a nearby uranium mine to store the tailings (residue) of its excavations — the water kept the radioactive dust from blowing away. The 93 million gallons of contaminated water that poured into the Rio Puerco remains the largest accidental release of radioactive material in U.S. history, bigger than the notorious Three Mile Island reactor meltdown that occurred 14 weeks later. Continue reading
Berlin protest as thousands reject nuclear power
the anti-nuclear movement has not seen such strong public support since the Chernobyl nuclear disaster in the Soviet Union, in 1986.
Berlin / Munich – Two Cities / Different Crowds, EU Australia Online , September 19th, 2010 Weekend events in Germany saw a large protest in Berlin over nuclear power stations,…….CONFRONTATION OVER NUCLEAR STATIONS Crowds estimated at between 40-100000, depending on who was counting, paraded to the office of the German Chancellor, Angela Merkel, in Berlin, objecting to government plans for extending the life of ageing nuclear power plants. Continue reading
So called “clean” nuclear technology might return to Hanford
Among the first decisions that DOE is expected to make is whether to lease land to Energy Northwest that’s near the Hanford 300 Area, which is just north of Richland, for a (?) clean energy park……At some point Energy Northwest might look at energy production through new small nuclear modules,
Future of Hanford land up for debate, Northwest News – The News Tribune By Annette Cary, 09/19/10 HANFORD — At the start of the 1940s, most of the 586 square miles that now make up the Hanford nuclear reservation was crop land and sagebrush range land where 20,000 sheep grazed…. Continue reading
Nuclear missile shields are a provocation, not a prevention
No missile shield system will be able to prevent every missile from reaching its target. The expansion of the shield encourages more nations to develop means of penetrating it. The penetration and detonation of one modern nuclear weapon and its radioactive fallout would be so devastating as to traumatize any nation and its neighbors.
Stop the Missile Shield Now PETER G. COHEN FOR BUZZFLASH/TRUTHOUT, 20 Sept 10, The United States is now installing a missile shield from Northern Poland through the Mediterranean and Black Sea to Asia and Japan. The nations and warships involved are near to or bordering on Russia and China, though the stated intent is to protect our allies from the missiles of Iran and North Korea. Continue reading
Ralph Nader spells out the case against nuclear power
Nader shares locals concerns about uranium, GoDanRiver.com, 19 Sept 10, “…… Nader pushed for more energy efficiency and conservation and clean energy, which he said didn’t include more nuclear reactors or uranium mining.
“We don’t believe the country needs nuclear power,” Nader said in a Thursday interview. “It’s too costly. The opportunities for energy efficiency and electric generation to the consumer are far greater.”…
Nader said money should be invested in solar, wind and other forms of renewable energy rather than nuclear power, which he called a “gigantic technological lemon.” Nuclear plant projects can’t go forward without federal loan guarantees, he said, because Wall Street won’t invest in them without that backing.
Additionally, nuclear plants have the problem of radioactive waste, he said. The enrichment of uranium to concentrate it for use in fuel rods for nuclear reactors also takes coal-fired power, Nader said.
“Why do we need uranium mines?” Nader said. “They are extremely dirty.”….
World Nuclear Association admits “Nuclear Renaissance” just isn’t happening
Speaking at a meeting of the World Nuclear Association in London today, Ron Cameron head of the Nuclear Energy Association’s (NEA) nuclear development division said: “The nuclear renaissance hasn’t taken off”
Nuclear resurgence constrained Nuclear may go way of the Asian toaster, tcetoday news, 17 Sept 10, by Adam Duckett“……..PROBLEMS with finance, policy and skills have hamstrung the much-hyped resurgence of the nuclear power sector, experts have said. Continue reading
French nuclear giant AREVA struggles to clean up its dirty reputation in Niger
several NGOs have decried the French company’s rosy picture of its activities in northern Niger. The president of local NGO Aghir In Man, Almoustapha Alassane, has accused Areva of poisoning water and air near its mining sites, blaming uranium contamination for several “mysterious” deaths in the region.
Kidnapping comes as French nuclear giant Areva works on image, France24 , 17 Sept 10, The kidnapping of seven foreign nuclear employees in Niger comes as the French nuclear giant Areva is trying to improve its image in a region threatened by robbery, widespread resentment, and radical Islamism.”In nearly 40 years, Areva didn’t care at all for the locals. But in the last few years, Areva changed its strategy and started implementing development projects”, says Moussa Kaka, RFI’s correspondent in Niger. Continue reading
Nuclear Regulatory Commission conning the American people on radioactive wastes
This latest decision will now block any attempt by environmental groups or concerned citizens to challenge the generation of irradiated nuclear fuel at atomic reactors, as in new reactor licensing proceedings or old reactor license extension proceedings, for NRC now considers the matter closed……concerned citizens should contact U.S. House Energy and Environment Subcommittee Chairman Ed Markey (D-MA), as well as U.S. House Domestic Affairs Subcommittee Chairman Dennis Kucinich (D-OH), urging that they launch investigative oversight hearings into this latest NRC “favor” for the nuclear power industry — approving unlimited generation of forever deadly high-level radioactive waste, while blocking citizen interventions seeking to prevent it.
NRC plays “Nuclear Waste Con Game” on the American people, Beyond Nuclear, 18 Sept 10
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission yesterday updated its “Nuclear Waste Confidence Rule,” expressing “confidence” that commercial irradiated nuclear fuel and high-level radioactive waste (implying reprocessing) can be stored safely and securely, either on-site or off-site, for 60 years after operation licenses have expired at atomic reactors. Continue reading
Niger- indigenous poverty, uranium riches for the West
VIDEO –BBC News – People starve in Niger despite having large uranium reserves BBC News, 17 Sept 10 -The kidnapping of five French nationals in Niger who were working on uranium production has thrown the spotlight on the West African state’s mineral wealth.According to the UN, Niger is the poorest nation on earth in development terms.The fact that its people are going hungry despite having the world’s second biggest reserves of uranium has fuelled growing resentment.Zeinab Badawi reports from Niger.
Hurricane forces shutdown of Mexican nuclear plant
Nuclear Shutdown The storm also forced Mexico to suspend operations at its Laguna Verde nuclear power plant in eastern Veracruz State, according to the national electricity commission.
Hurricane Karl Nears Mexican Coast, Closes Oil Wells – Bloomberg, By Brian K. Sullivan – Sep 18, 2010, “………Karl was the strongest storm ever to form in the Gulf of Mexico’s Bay of Campeche, Continue reading
Drug against ionising radiation- a lucrative business?
appears to strengthen the body’s ability to recover from radiation exposure.
U.S. invests in drug to protect against radiation | Reuters, By Julie Steenhuysen, CHICAGO | Fri Sep 17, 2010 CHICAGO – Tiny biotech Cleveland BioLabs Inc has won a $45 million contract from the Department of Defense to conduct clinical trials of a drug to prevent cell damage in the event of nuclear attack…… Continue reading
In Niger, AREVA’s nuclear workers kidnapped
Seven nuclear workers kidnapped as they slept, The Guardian, 16 Sept 10, French people working in Niger have been kidnapped along with one from Togo and one from Madagascar Associated Press in Paris
Five French people working in Niger have been kidnapped along with one from Togo and one from Madagascar, France’s foreign ministry said today.The seven, who were employees of the French nuclear reactor builder Areva and a subcontractor, were seized near the uranium-mining town of Arlit as they slept.
Seven nuclear workers kidnapped as they slept | World news | The Guardian
The end for South Africa’s failed Pebble Bed Nuclear Reactor
Hopes that a successful bid by a US consortium — which included Westinghouse, one of the PBMR’s partners — for the US’s next-generation nuclear plant programme would give the PBMR a new lease of life were dashed when Westinghouse withdrew in May.
Hogan ends pebble bed reactor project, BusinessDay The government’s decision to stop investing in the project supersedes its previous decision to downsize the PBMR company by 75%. LINDA ENSOR 2010/09/17 Public Enterprises Minister Barbara Hogan drew the final curtain yesterday on SA’s bid to be a leader in nuclear technology when she announced the closure of the pebble bed modular reactor (PBMR), which has cost R7,4bn of taxpayers’ money……… Continue reading
Delhi University teachers demand action on radiation scandal
Exposure to radioactive Cobalt-60 in the scrap market in Mayapuri in West Delhi had led to the death of one person and injuries to ten others in Delhi in April this year. The material landed there after an auction of some items from the DU chemistry lab.
VC Subverting Radiation Exposure Probe: DU Teachers, news.outlookindia.com , 16 Sept 10, The association of Delhi University teachers today accused Vice Chancellor Deepak Pental of trying to subvert an inquiry into the disposal of radioactive material by the institution and demanded that he be arrested to make way for an “unbiased” probe. Continue reading
Colorado Public Health Dept concerned about radiation from uranium mill
State regulators asserted that people at fences around Energy Fuels’ 880-acre site could be exposed to radiation approaching a 25-millirem limit. “A projected dose that approaches a regulatory limit cannot be considered trivial,” a CDPHE document said.
Uranium-mill plan near Naturita raises concerns about toxic waste – The Denver Post, Bruce Finley, 16 Sept 10, State regulators have raised concerns about toxic waste, radiation and water supply at what would be the nation’s first conventional uranium mill opened since the Cold War. Continue reading
1 This Month
Website of the Week
New book – https://www.amazon.com/dp/1923372157?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email
Now until to February 10, 2026 Radioactive waste storage in France: the debate is finally open! How to participate?
-
Archives
- January 2026 (127)
- December 2025 (358)
- November 2025 (359)
- October 2025 (377)
- September 2025 (258)
- August 2025 (319)
- July 2025 (230)
- June 2025 (348)
- May 2025 (261)
- April 2025 (305)
- March 2025 (319)
- February 2025 (234)
-
Categories
- 1
- 1 NUCLEAR ISSUES
- business and costs
- climate change
- culture and arts
- ENERGY
- environment
- health
- history
- indigenous issues
- Legal
- marketing of nuclear
- media
- opposition to nuclear
- PERSONAL STORIES
- politics
- politics international
- Religion and ethics
- safety
- secrets,lies and civil liberties
- spinbuster
- technology
- Uranium
- wastes
- weapons and war
- Women
- 2 WORLD
- ACTION
- AFRICA
- Atrocities
- AUSTRALIA
- Christina's notes
- Christina's themes
- culture and arts
- Events
- Fuk 2022
- Fuk 2023
- Fukushima 2017
- Fukushima 2018
- fukushima 2019
- Fukushima 2020
- Fukushima 2021
- general
- global warming
- Humour (God we need it)
- Nuclear
- RARE EARTHS
- Reference
- resources – print
- Resources -audiovicual
- Weekly Newsletter
- World
- World Nuclear
- YouTube
-
RSS
Entries RSS
Comments RSS
nuclear-news 