Low dose ionising radiation a cancer risk to children
children with acute lymphoid leukemia (ALL) had almost twice the chance of having been exposed to three or more X-rays compared with children who did not have leukemia.
X-rays linked to increased childhood leukemia risk, Berkeley, Eureka Alert, Sarah Yang, 5 Oct 10, – Diagnostic X-rays may increase the risk of developing childhood leukemia, according to a new study by researchers at the University of California, Berkeley’s School of Public Health. Continue reading
Renewable energy is happening, and nuclear isn’t
I know that this is supposed to be an anti-nuclear blog. But I get bored with all the stuff in the media about nuclear. For one thing, it’s just not happening – the “nuclear renaissance”.
For another thing, the Australian media is full of hype about uranium. Today – several articles on how wonderfully well Paladin Energy is doing in Africa- oh you gotta invest! Nary a word about how Paladin is pulling out of Niger because uranium workers are getting kidnapped by al-Qaida.
But for the main thing – Renewable Energy is happening! It’s happening both on a big scale – how business and the media love BIG!
It’s happening on a small scale – where communities, schools and households are getting truly clean energy, and making a profit out of it.
Not apparently a scenario for Australia. Are we some sort of cultural outpost – where the idea of energy has to be always BIG, corporate-owned, and coal or uranium fueled?
Radiation, environmental, causes of breast cancer
widely understood risk factors for breast cancer such as genetic mutations, reproductive history and lifestyle factors do not address a considerable portion of risk. “A substantial body of scientific evidence indicates that exposures to common chemicals and [ionising] radiation also contribute to the unacceptably high incidence of breast cancer,”
New Report Catalogues Chemical and Radiation Links to Breast Cancer, PR Newswire, 1 Oct 10, Scientists, health advocates call for national breast cancer prevention plan – A report released today by the Breast Cancer Fund presents a comprehensive summary of the scientific data on the environmental causes of breast cancer. Continue reading
New strict laws to control in-situ uranium mining
Applicants for in-situ leach uranium mines have to show the technology they want to use has been used before without harming groundwater quality, and they can’t be in violation at another operation
(USA) New rules take effect for Colorado uranium mines | San Francisco Examiner, Associated Press0, 9/30/10 DENVER — New rules for uranium mining in Colorado are now in effect.State lawmakers passed three bills in 2008 that prompted the changes, and the new rules took effect Thursday. Continue reading
Serious doubts on ANSTO and Silex Systems uranium enrichment technology
The technology in question was licensed from Silex Systems, an Australian company that’s been quietly conducting enrichment research at a small facility near Sydney for the last quarter century.But many experts are skeptical….a huge and extremely risky bet.”…..they also present a major headache for the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and other nuclear watchdog groups attempting to spot clandestine enrichment plants,
Laser Uranium Enrichment Makes a Comeback The controversial technology poses proliferation risks, but nuclear firms press on, IEEE Spectrum: By Sandra Upson / October 2010 Continue reading
Northern Territory govt opposes Paladin and Cameco’ s uranium mining plans
NT reversal cruels U-hopefuls’ plans TradingMarkets.com, 29 Sep 2010 —Northern Territory Chief Minister Paul Henderson has withdrawn support for Cameco Corporation’s and Paladin Energy’s proposed uranium mine near Alice Springs. The announcement came just two years after Cameco and Paladin won developmentrights for the Angela Pamela project and two weeks before a local by-election in the seat of Alice Springs. NT reversal cruels U-hopefuls’ plans | TradingMarkets.com
Terrorism in Niger causes Australian uranium miner Paladin to pull out
According to Paladin, on September 16, forces associated with al-Qa’ida kidnapped the seven people employed by French uranium company Areva and its contractor, Vinci, from the town of Arlit in Niger’s uranium mining region.
Areva has subsequently evacuated expatriate personnel and France has dispatched anti-terrorism forces to the region
NGM Resources shares fall as Paladin bid is threatened * Michael Bennet * The Australian * September 29, 2010 NGM Resources shares today plunged 43 per cent on the likelihood Paladin Energy’s takeover offer will fall through….. Continue reading
AREVA involved as Chinese nuclear executive gaoled for 20 years
Jiang was charged with disclosing information to France’s Areva, the world’s largest builder of nuclear reactors, about a 2004 bid for China’s inland nuclear programme
China exec gets 20 years for leaking secrets Reuters, By Benjamin Kang Lim BEIJING, Sept 28 – The disgraced president of a Chinese state-owned enterprise has been jailed for 20 years for leaking state secrets in connection with a bid for foreign-made nuclear reactors, Continue reading
Western Australian Senator urges State to reject Plibara uranium mine
West Australian Greens Senator Scott Ludlam is calling for a public inquiry into the risks associated with the mine.
Greens urge opposition to proposed Pilbara uranium mine ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation) Sep 28, 2010 The Greens have urged the West Australian and Federal governments to follow the lead of the Northern Territory government which is opposing a proposed uranium mine.he Northern Territory Continue reading
Northern Territory leads the way in rejecting uranium mining at Alice Springs
Senator Ludlam has urged Resources Minister Martin Ferguson (right) to support 
the decision by Mr Henderson……
NT uranium rejection is a lesson: Greens WA Business News, 28-September-10 by Kym Fuhrmann WA Greens Senator Scott Ludlam has urged the state and federal governments to take note of the decision by the Northern Territory government to oppose a uranium mine proposal near Alice Springs. Continue reading
Northern Territory govt opposes Cameco’s planned uranium mine at Alice Springs
uranium mining activities near the springs could potentially contaminate the area’s underground water reservoir.
Anti nuclear movement on track to topple German government
the German federal government’s own Advisory Council on the Environment stated that “By 2050, Germany’s energy needs can be supplied 100% through electricity derived from renewable energy sources,”…”the federal government must set the course for the conversion of the energy system now.”
Germany’s Burgeoning Anti-Nuclear Movement Promises to Derail Merkel’s Energy Policy, THE HUFFUNGTON POST, Tina Gerhardt, 28 Sept 10, Merkel’s decision has reignited Germany’s anti-nuclear movement. Continue reading
French nuclear company AREVA pushing uranium in Koongarra
it is AREVA that is pushing very hard for access to the rich Koongarra uranium deposit in the Northern Territory….Australia is already at the centre of the new global nuclear debate.
The French Connection | Hybrid Auto Review – Hybrid Cars, 26 Sept 10, The Herald has an article up about the vultures circling prospective Australian uranium mines – in this particular case the French nuclear industry, Continue reading
Security situation deteriorating in AREVA’s Niger uranium mines
the security situation in the Arlit region — where Areva runs uranium mines and where the five French nationals, a Togolese and a Madagascan were kidnapped by Al-Qaeda linked militants — was deteriorating.
Hostage crisis: French nuclear boss heads to Niger, Google hosted news, (AFP) – 28 Sept 10, PARIS — The chairwoman of French state-owned nuclear giant Areva is to visit the firm’s operation in Niger, the company said Monday, after Al-Qaeda militants kidnapped several of her employees there.” Continue reading
French uranium workers in danger in Niger
Areva said it had stepped up security around its sites in Niger, where some 2,500 people are employed, including around 50 French citizens, in the operation of two huge uranium mines.
France sees second attack
on energy workers in West Africa, Oil & Gas Journal, Sep 27, 2010 By Eric Watkins,“……………The attack on the Bourbon Alexandre came just 6 days after members of the Al-Qaeda terrorist organization captured five French nationals in Niger’s uranium fields. Continue reading
1 This month
of the week – Australians for War Powers Reform (AWPR)
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