UN report on Nuclear Safety has implications for Australia
Today, 22 Sept 11, a special UN meeting will examine responses to Fukushima and the role/safety of nuclear power.
UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon commissioned a multi-agency report to help guide this discussion.
It is available via http://www.reachingcriticalwill.org/political/energy/hlm/UN-system-wide-study.pdf
Dave Sweeney Comments on the United Nations system-wide study on the implications of the accident at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant – September 2011
The report has been primarily drafted by the pro-nuclear International Atomic Energy Agency and is framed with the assumption that nuclear power is here to stay – Nuclear power has been and will remain a significant contributor to meeting global energy needs (16)
Within this flawed context there is much value and campaign utility in the report. Read more »
Lucas Heights nuclear reactor safe? well, nearly!
Despite the existence of maintenance plans, “staff argue that maintenance is only undertaken for the most urgent matters,” it said.
The report also recommended the organisation allow staff to report safety problems directly to the radiation safety watchdog and Comcare if managers failed to respond to their concerns….In 2009-10, ANSTO Health had one breach of its licence and 56 radiology “events or near misses.”..
Lucas Heights cleared of safety breaches: report | The Australian, Siobhain Ryan, May 31, 2011 AUSTRALIA’S nuclear research agency has been cleared of safety breaches and a culture of cover-ups in a report tabled in Canberra yesterday. But the Government-appointed panel that authored the report said the Lucas Heights reactor in Sydney’s south was ageing, staff were worried that maintenance occurred only for the most urgent matters, and an even more open approach to reporting health and safety problems should be adopted……. Read more »
ANSTO making efforts to clean up its tarnished safety image
Nuclear agency safety culture ‘stuck in 70s’ | The Australian, Leigh Dayton, 25 May, 11,“……..Dr Paterson said he was instituting the “safety culture approach” adopted by the nuclear power industry. To assist what he called this “safety journey”, Sydney-based workplace resolutions company CoSolve has been hired. As well, recalcitrant staff are encouraged to move to another ANSTO job.Industry observers will be watching closely, following the Easter weekend incidents involving the handling of low-level laboratory waste and a batch of radioactive molybdenun-99. Dr Paterson disputed allegations they were not handled properly.ANSTO also disputed reports in The Australian last March that staff had been suspended after raising safety concerns and that others were bullied….”
Radioactive danger to Australia of Indonesian nuclear plants
impacts on northern Australia of even a small release could potentially be devastating to agricultural production and tourism.”
VIDEO Top End warning over nuclear reactor fallout | News | NT News | Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia | ntnews.com.au NT News | Darwin, 5 April 11, THE Top End is in danger of being devastated by a nuclear fallout cloud should Indonesian reactors melt down, computer modelling shows.The Australian National University’s Centre for Resource and Environmental Studies working paper shows there is “substantial risk” for the whole of northern Australia – particularly during the monsoon months. Read more »
Questions over impartiality of Australia’s nuclear safety watchdog
ARPANSA last year released two conflicting reports on the claims at Lucas Heights
Australian nuclear agency under review Australian Broadcasting Corporation, Lateline, 30/03/2011 Australia’s nuclear industry regulator, ARPANSA, is under review over its handling of safety breaches at the Lucas Heights nuclear reactor.
TONY JONES, PRESENTER: Australia’s nuclear industry regulator, ARPANSA, is under review over its handling of safety breaches at the nation’s only nuclear reactor. Read more »
Canadian company to transport uranium through W.A.
The transport risk study will be conducted by the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation…..The public comment period on the Cameco environmental scoping document closes on April 11
Cameco’s long uranium trek through WA | Perth Now, Nick Evans, March 28, 2011 CAMECO Corporation has pushed on with its plans to seek environmental approval for its WA uranium mine, despite turmoil on the international uranium stage after the recent disaster in Japan.The company released its environmental scoping document today, calling for public submissions on its plans to gain environmental approval for the proposed uranium mine, southeast of Port Hedland…… Read more »
Australia’s Radiation Protection Agency warns people to move 80 km away from Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant
….ARPANSA [the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency] recommended that Australians within 80 kilometres of the Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant move out of the area as a precautionary measure.
Australian Government to Japan travellers: Leave now, Tokyo unsafe - Australian Business Traveller, 18 March 11, Australia’s DFAT Smartraveller safety warning level against travel to Japan has been raised even further, urging Australians to avoid much of Japan (including Tokyo and its airports) entirely, Read more »
Rain poses radioactive spill threat from Ranger uranium mine
ERA was struggling to manage water at Ranger Mine and should- n’t be given approval for an expansion….It’s alarming that the Ranger uranium mine is operating so close to the margin, near the World Heritage listed Kakadu National Park, putting the livelihood of community and business at risk,”
Mine overflow risk DAVID WOOD ntnews.com.au March 7th, 2011 THE VOLUME of water at Ranger uranium mine’s tailings dam could exceed the approved level if heavy rain continues, an environment group has said. Read more »
BHP’s record of safety failures in Australia
In June last year, BHP was fined more than $75,000 over the death of a worker at Olympic Dam, after it ignored its own safety rules….In 2008-9, five people died at BHP’s West Australian iron ore operations and another in 2009-10 at a WA nickel mine.
BHP may face safety charge Matt Chambers The Australian * February 15, 2011 BHP Billiton could be charged over a 2009 Olympic Dam mine accident Read more »
Comcare recommends radical changes to ANSTO’s nuclear operations
“……….said Senator Ludlam: “Comcare essentially vindicated Mr Reid’s original complaints about safety by recommending a radical overhaul of the way ANSTO runs its radiopharmaceutical operations.”
“ANSTO indicates that Comcare is now reviewing the report in question. The Government must ensure that the findings of that review are made public as soon as they are reached.” Senator Ludlam said. “This is an extremely grave matter. It indicates not only serious safety issues, but also what appears to be the use of disciplinary action to silence a whistle-blower.”
Comcare recommended that ANSTO; Read more »
Damning report on safety breaches at ANSTO’s Lucas Heights nuclear reactor
They pay lip service to safety, but they actually do nothing. There’s been many accidents and incidents that they have not reported or investigated.
Report slams Australian nuclear reactor Australian Broadcasting CorporationBroadcast: 08/02/2011 Reporter: John ThompsonA confidential report obtained by the ABC shows that Australia’s only nuclear reactor has under-reported accidents and breached safety precautions. Read more »
Danger of expanding Ranger uranium mine
Senator Scott Ludlam says Energy Resources Australia has a poor track record. “This isn’t an isolated incident. Right from the beginning this mine has been plagued with difficulties with accidents, spills and near misses,” he said.
Ranger uranium scare ‘not isolated’ ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation), 7 Jan 2011, The Greens say a uranium scare in Kakadu National Park is evidence mining there should not be allowed to expand. Read more »
Airport scanners not only radiation risk, but are not effective security either
Australia is one of several nations that have begun to test or install full-body scanners
[Australia will be getting the "backscatter" ionising radiation type, (at left below) not the safer radio-wave type, (at right below) ]
Fears over fatal flaws in full-body airport scanners The Age Derek Kravitz, Washington December 27, 2010 US SECURITY experts have questioned the ability of full-body scanners to detect modern chemical explosives taped to a passenger’s abdomen or hidden in a cavity. Read more »
Terrorist freed now, though plotted to bomb Lucas Heights nuclear reactor
Willie Brigitte walks out of prison | Herald Sun, 13 Dec 10, AUSTRALIA’S most notorious terrorist, Willie Brigitte, has been freed from jail on good behaviour, despite having served less than half his sentence for plotting to bomb the nation’s nuclear reactor.The Caribbean-born Muslim convert, who lived in Sydney, was sentenced in France in 2007 to a maximum nine years for joining an al-Qa’ida-backed Pakistani terror cell that had conspired to blow up the Lucas Heights nuclear plant, Australia’s electricity grid and/or a military base.But the Sunday Herald Sun has learnt the 42-year-old extremist walked free from a French jail on September 25 this year……Willie Brigitte walks out of prison | Herald Sun
Australia’s uranium to Russia, country with worst safety record!
“The move will see Australia supplying uranium to a country with the world’s largest nuclear arsenal, and the largest stockpile of weapons-usable material, much of it inadequately secured,” said ICAN Chair Associate Professor Tilman Ruff. Read more »
This month
For international news, go to nuclear-news ion for Western Australia’s energy future
http://ifyoulovethisplanet.org/?p=5755 Mary Olson on how women are more vulnerable to atomic radiation
- Muckaty Gathering 25 May 2012
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L1J9q-OeEO4 - NuclearKop http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fpMhhzkeYjk
Anti nuclear action below: - more info at Action Australia « Antinuclear and at Event details « Antinuclear
- http://www.communityrun.org/petitions/put-the-brakes-on-toxic-trucks-no-nuclear-waste-at-muckaty
- Online Petition - against the proposed national radioactive waste dump at Muckaty Station in the Northern Territory http://www.gopetition.com.au/petitions/no-nuclear-waste-dump-at-muckaty.htmlUranium Free WA Sign the online charter saying no to uranium mining in Western Australia http://ccwa.org.au/takeaction/uraniumnotforsaleSIGN THE PETITION TO STOP LYNAS RARE EARTH EXPORTS TO MALAYSIA http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/ban-rare-earth-exports/
EVENTS
- May 29 – Melbourne - Amnesty International panel on weapons and war .
- May 29 – 30 Melbourne - Wind Farms conference
- May 30 Darwin - expert Panel on Nuclear Waste Dump plan for Muckaty
- June 2 - Nuclear Abolition Day
- June 13 - Melbourne -Lizards Revenge -Shut Roxby Down
- June 14 Melbourne Beyond Zero Emissions ZCA 2020 plan.
- June 19 - Melbourne Public meeting US FORCES IN AUSTRALIA: SECURITY OR THREAT? USforcesflyer-2.pdf
The Nuclear/uranium industry and WOMEN - theme for May 2012
Deceptive information given to women about breast cancer. Women are repeatedly told about “genetic causes”, about “risks of obesity:. about “diet factors”, about “not having babies”, or “having a baby at a later age” even about “stress” – as causes of breast cancer. The not so subtle message is that it is THEIR FAULT – a problem caused by the individual woman, so – the only preventive actions must be those made by individual women.
The facts are otherwise. The single most proven cause of breast cancer is ionising radiation. After that, other environmental causes exist, amongst the wash of chemicals, and synthetic hormones, that pervade our environment. After that – probably some hereditary susceptability, amongst some women.
Why is this so? One could conclude that breast cancer is a growth industry. There’s money at every point in this sorry cycle – from the radiation from nuclear fuel through to the medical radiation used to detect and treat breast cancer. There is no money clearly involved in shutting down a toxic industry, and preventing millions of breast cancers.
How does ionising radiation cause breast cancer? Ionising radiation comes in several forms. for example, Gamma rays, x-rays, and some sub-atomic particles such as alpha particles and protons In ionising radiation, a tiny electron is released from an atom, and enters a body cell, hitting the DNA in the cell’s nucleus, and damaging it. The damaged DNA sends out ‘wrong’ messages telling the cell to divide in an uncontrolled manner – cancer develops.
“...the time between radiation exposure and breast cancer development is longest in young women and shortest for older women; young children do not show a detectable elevation in breast cancer occurrence for some 35 to 40 years after exposure. Radiation-induced breast cancers appear to occur later in life during the same ages when breast cancer rates, in general, begin to increase. It appears that a single exposure of sufficient dose during early life can increase breast cancer risk even 50 years later...
the relationship between radiation dose and breast cancer risk can be described by a straight line which implies that no matter how low the dose, there is some small risk associated with the exposure.…
The risk of subsequent breast cancer from very high doses is lower than that which might be expected from the effects of lower doses. This is because radiation at high doses is an effective killer of cells and dead cells are not able to develop into cancer…..
Young girls are at highest risk …when a young girl is exposed to radiation, she will have menstrual cycles for several decades that might enhance the development of any underlying damage caused by the radiation. There is evidence to suggest that exposure to the immature breast during early development, and around the age of beginning menstruation, carries a higher risk than at other times of a woman’s life.
It is unclear how radiation exposure of the breast during pregnancy affects a woman’s breast cancer risk. However, a recent study of women treated for Hodgkin’s disease concluded that pregnancy might be a time of increased sensitivity of breast tissue to the cancercausing effects of radiation……”
.” John D Boyce, Jr, DSc, Scientific Director,Program on Breast Cancer and Environmental Risk Factors in New York State.. Ionizing Radiation and Breast Cancer Risk
