Saturday, March 31, 2012
"There's No Such Thing As A Non-Harmful Level"
That's the standard mantra of anti-nukes in regards to radiation and it's repeated in this Thom Hartmann show segment (video below the fold). Of course, all they do is play on the words "harmful" or "safe". They intentionally confuse absolute harm/safe with relative harm/safe.
The radioactivity measured by the USGS was safe relatively speaking (relative to all the risks we happily undertake everyday like the risks of driving, eating, having sex, etc.). It was not safe absolutely speaking. There is a very, very small risk of cancer (just like there is a small risk of accident when driving, choking or food poisoning when eating, or sexually transmitted disease or heart attack while having sex).
And then there's the undocumented "thousands" of dead from Chernobyl. Ridiculous.
And then there's the "Tokyo Electric has even admitted...". No they've related what they've learned as time goes on. That's not an admission, like admitting a lie or wrongdoing. It's just communication.
The radioactivity measured by the USGS was safe relatively speaking (relative to all the risks we happily undertake everyday like the risks of driving, eating, having sex, etc.). It was not safe absolutely speaking. There is a very, very small risk of cancer (just like there is a small risk of accident when driving, choking or food poisoning when eating, or sexually transmitted disease or heart attack while having sex).
And then there's the undocumented "thousands" of dead from Chernobyl. Ridiculous.
And then there's the "Tokyo Electric has even admitted...". No they've related what they've learned as time goes on. That's not an admission, like admitting a lie or wrongdoing. It's just communication.
Nuclear Power Not Economical In U.S.
According to Exelon's freshly retired CEO and a University of Vermont researcher.
There will be a forum on nuclear power at the U of Wisconsin in April.
There will be a forum on nuclear power at the U of Wisconsin in April.
Thursday, March 29, 2012
More Than Half Of All Cancer Is Preventable
We've got some work to do, though we've been making progress.
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
Will Texas Be Allowed To Dispose Of Out-Of-Compact Radioactive Wastes?
In the U.S., the states are responsibles for low level radioactive waste (LLRW) disposal. Historically, no state wanted to be the nation's dumping ground for all of the LLRW. However, due to interstate commerce laws existing at the time, no state could prevent interstate commerce of such wastes. This dilemma led to the existing compact system under the LLRW Policy Act of 1980 (amended in 1985).
Under the Act, states are allowed to form smaller groups of states (compacts) wherein those states would agree on LLRW disposal site arrangements and could legally exclude non-compact states. Ironically, today, Texas wants to open its compact's (which only includes Vermont in addition to Texas) disposal site to non-compact states in order to generate more revenue.
Read more here.
Under the Act, states are allowed to form smaller groups of states (compacts) wherein those states would agree on LLRW disposal site arrangements and could legally exclude non-compact states. Ironically, today, Texas wants to open its compact's (which only includes Vermont in addition to Texas) disposal site to non-compact states in order to generate more revenue.
Read more here.
"It's Just 20 Years Away..."
That's the sort of thing one hears over the decades about nuclear fusion. Maybe today we can say so and mean it.
The Nurture Of Nuclear Power
Economics Professor Nancy Folbre points out the seeming hypocrisy over certain energy subsidies.
Monday, March 26, 2012
Flatulentwinds Associates
"All the Fukushima samples would be classified as radioactive waste!"
What Arnie doesn't tell you is that ANY waste from a nuclear power plant which is radioactively contaminated is considered....take a pause...think about it...RADIOACTIVE WASTE!
This tells us nothing about the radioactivity concentration levels in the samples he took and the likely doses to be received by individuals as a result of exposure pathways.
Arnie doesn't want to get into those details because they would produce results counter to the fearmongering he is trying flatulating.
What Arnie doesn't tell you is that ANY waste from a nuclear power plant which is radioactively contaminated is considered....take a pause...think about it...RADIOACTIVE WASTE!
This tells us nothing about the radioactivity concentration levels in the samples he took and the likely doses to be received by individuals as a result of exposure pathways.
Arnie doesn't want to get into those details because they would produce results counter to the fearmongering he is trying flatulating.
Sunday, March 25, 2012
Japan Faces Nuclear-Free Summer & Power Shortages
You can't have it both ways! Energy production involves risks. Lack of energy production involves risks.
Hanford's Waste Treatment Concerns
During a rare public hearing by the Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board.
Friday, March 23, 2012
Fukushima Rad Data Coverup?
Or just some difficult management following a surprising catastrophic earthquake/tsunami?
Thursday, March 22, 2012
Kids Ask Questions Of NASA Radiation Scientist
You can skip to 2:00 (or 3:20 to skip the first question which was kind of silly..."what happens if a craft runs out of gas?").
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
Nanoparticle Radioactivity To Treat Brain Tumors
Tres cool! Rhenium-186 is encapsulated in liposomes (fat molecules) and delivers 20-30 times more dose than traditional methods.
"This Is Not A ScareMongering Forecast"
States a sobering report on global warming's likely impact on the seas.
Take Aspirin To Prevent Cancer
First headaches, then cardiovascular disease and now cancer. Seems to work with blood platelets to minimize metastasis.
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
The Plutonium Files
This is a recent upload of an old video about an even older subject...the U.S. government exposing some American citizens to plutonium in the 1940's.
Monday, March 19, 2012
Chernobyl Diaries
Here's the trailer for a new horror flick. It's got radiation, hot chicks, and vodka. What's not to like?
Sunday, March 18, 2012
Fukushima Data
This AlJazeera piece points out some of the technical and political difficulties associated with nuclear power and nuclear accidents.
Primarily they're referring to the Fukushima paradox (my phrase). The pro-nukes impress on people that nuclear power is safe and then an accident happens. To avoid radiation folks evacuate to minimize their dose. Then the pro-nukes tells us how safe radiation is, as if it didn't necessitate an evacuation and as if the doses wouldn't be higher had there been no evacuation.
The anti-nukes impress on people how dangerous nuclear power is and then an accident happens. Yet it's not as horrific as the anti-nukes had portrayed. No one died of acute radiation exposure and the projected increase in cancer probably won't be discernable using epidemiology. That's largely thanks to the evacuation.
It's obvious which side helps the media attract an audience, yet the other side sticks to their tired old strategy of "it's safe".
And so it continues....
Primarily they're referring to the Fukushima paradox (my phrase). The pro-nukes impress on people that nuclear power is safe and then an accident happens. To avoid radiation folks evacuate to minimize their dose. Then the pro-nukes tells us how safe radiation is, as if it didn't necessitate an evacuation and as if the doses wouldn't be higher had there been no evacuation.
The anti-nukes impress on people how dangerous nuclear power is and then an accident happens. Yet it's not as horrific as the anti-nukes had portrayed. No one died of acute radiation exposure and the projected increase in cancer probably won't be discernable using epidemiology. That's largely thanks to the evacuation.
It's obvious which side helps the media attract an audience, yet the other side sticks to their tired old strategy of "it's safe".
And so it continues....
80% Of Japanese Want Nuclear Power Gone
Perhaps Fukushima had something to do with it.
One important Japanese author wants all nuclear power abolished.
One important Japanese author wants all nuclear power abolished.
Saturday, March 17, 2012
Friday, March 16, 2012
Red Meat Dose Equivalent
A Harvard Red Meat Study has been published. More red meat means more risk of various ailments particularly cardiovascular disease (CVD) and cancer. One daily serving of processed red meat leads to a mortality risk increase of 20%, with unprocessed red meat leading to a mortality risk increase of 13%.
We can derive a Red Meat Dose Equivalent (RMDE) for radiation.....
We can derive a Red Meat Dose Equivalent (RMDE) for radiation.....
Thursday, March 15, 2012
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
Lung Screening Tests Frequently Given To Asymptomatic Folks
Against guidelines. 55% gave radiographs.
"The Radiation Salesmen...You Can't Trust These Guys"
Here a bit of crazy from some anti-nukes. You can just jump to 3:00 to save time. I do like the term "radiation salesmen" which I borrowed for the title of this post. I've seen plenty of evidence of that from the crazy pro-nuke side. That doesn't excuse the crazy radioalarmism from these morons.
Monday, March 12, 2012
Sunday, March 11, 2012
The Nuclear Evacuation Paradox
This article illustrates the safety paradox encountered by officials when deciding to evacuate citizens (or not). Radioactive contamination poses a cancer risk (typically decades in the future), whereas evacuating people involves a more immediate risk of death.
Fukushima was particularly perplexing because it was a nuclear disaster which followed the earthquake/tsunami disaster and its attendant chaos.
I won't engage in armchair quarterbacking, that's too easy. But there's certainly room for improvement.
Fukushima was particularly perplexing because it was a nuclear disaster which followed the earthquake/tsunami disaster and its attendant chaos.
I won't engage in armchair quarterbacking, that's too easy. But there's certainly room for improvement.
AlJazeera Anti-Nuclear Propaganda
AlJazeera T.V. is owned by the government of Qatar. Qatar has the highest per capita GDP of any nation. Why? Because they sell their fossil fuels to everyone else. I've watched them broadcast quite a bit about Fukushima (much more than the BP oil spill). Here's a recent addition:
Saturday, March 10, 2012
Friday, March 9, 2012
Gundersen Spins Half Truths
On the show called Democracy Now. A couple of examples - plants have a decommissioning fund, so whether VY changes ownership (potential lack of capital) is irrelevant. VY had a 20% power uprate with no increase in personnel. So? Those two things are not directly correlated.
There's plenty more where that came from if you can stomach it.
Cleaning Up Fukushima
Not much detail and I'm not sure why they say the work is "dangerous". It sounds like controls have been implemented to avoid dangerous working conditions:
Cancer Evolution In Action
This article discusses the fact that within single tumors there are different DNA mutations. In other words, different parts of the tumor are evolving along different pathways. Of course this is what we expect (see my page on Radiation, Evolution, Cancer and Aging.
Thursday, March 8, 2012
Speaking Of Contraceptives
There's been quite alot of media buzz surrounding women's health issues because the U.S. Republican Party, besides being anti-science, is also anti-women's rights. Oral hormonal contraceptives do increase the risk of breast & cervical cancer, while decreasing the risk of ovarian & endometrial cancer.
Freezing Radioactive Waste At Hanford
Has raised some concerns (since pipes could burst and lead to a release) and is being addressed.
Understanding DNA Replication
Could provide a better understanding of cancer proliferation and life itself.
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
"Powering America"
Is a new pro-nuclear propaganda documentary by The Heritage Foundation. There is a trailer and broadcast dates on the Documentary Channel within the link. Of course, The Heritage Foundation, which poses as a "think tank" is just an ultra-conservative public relations outfit known for its lack of scientific integrity.
Radiation Therapy Has Longer Term Consequences
Radiation therapy is used frequently to attack cancer, but for cancer survivors, the therapy can have negative long-term consequences (secondary malignancies and heart disease). A new study provides conclusions and recommendatons on the subject.
Internally Contaminated? Take A Pill!
Called HOPO (for hydroxypyridonate), it can sequester the actinides (those elements above actinium on the periodic table, which includes uranium and plutonium).
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Anti-Nukes Descend On Iowa Statehouse
To protest a proposal to bill Iowans for the future costs of building a nuclear power plant.
Monday, March 5, 2012
"Chernobyl Heart"
Below the line is some anti-nuke propaganda courtesy of the Thom Hartmann show. I'll just pick on the "Chernobyl heart" scare tactic used by his guest. This "effect" of radiation is a product of the 2002 documentary of that name by Maryann De Leo. Basically, after Chernobyl she went to some hospitals and focused on kids who had heart problems. Therefore, Chernobyl caused the heart problems!!! HA!
Sunday, March 4, 2012
"This Is What The Morning After Would Look Like"
After a nuclear apocalyspe, according to an NBC correspondent.
Hope Creek Problem
I'm writing this post on Saturday, when the cause of this recirc pump shutdown is unknown.
CNN Visits Fukushima
"One of the most hazardous places on the planet"....yet they magically survive.
Nuclear Power's "Myth Of Safety"
According to the Japanese Prime Minister.
I tend to agree that because nuclear power is so safe, so often, it can lull people into a sense of long-term safety. We should expect a significant nuclear mishap every decade or two depending on the number of operating plants at any given time.
Though Fukushima will end up being very expensive, it still shows just how safe nuclear power really is. I call this the Fukushima paradox. Those pro-nukes who tried to sell the concept that a nuclear meltdown wouldn't happen in our lifetimes have been proven wrong. But the anti-nukes who tried to sell the concept that a nuclear meltdown would be horrific have also been proven wrong. Fukushima involved 3 meltdowns and no one died from acute radiation exposure. There will be some cancer increase in decades to come, but many Japanese cancers have already been avoided by not using fossil fuels over the past 4 decades.
Nuclear power is very safe from a health perspective, it's just very expensive and life altering when the low probability mishap occurs in your locale.
I tend to agree that because nuclear power is so safe, so often, it can lull people into a sense of long-term safety. We should expect a significant nuclear mishap every decade or two depending on the number of operating plants at any given time.
Though Fukushima will end up being very expensive, it still shows just how safe nuclear power really is. I call this the Fukushima paradox. Those pro-nukes who tried to sell the concept that a nuclear meltdown wouldn't happen in our lifetimes have been proven wrong. But the anti-nukes who tried to sell the concept that a nuclear meltdown would be horrific have also been proven wrong. Fukushima involved 3 meltdowns and no one died from acute radiation exposure. There will be some cancer increase in decades to come, but many Japanese cancers have already been avoided by not using fossil fuels over the past 4 decades.
Nuclear power is very safe from a health perspective, it's just very expensive and life altering when the low probability mishap occurs in your locale.
Saturday, March 3, 2012
Fukushima Health Impact - Minimal
Though it is funny to read the comments of readers who already "know" what the health impact is.
Diesel Exhaust Linked To Lung Cancer Mortality
This isn't really new, diesel exhaust has been listed by the National Toxicology Program as a Reasonably Anticipated Human Carcinogen.
Friday, March 2, 2012
What'd Ya Expect Him To Say?
The Nuclear Energy Institute's Senior V.P. says that the industry will become stronger and safer in the wake of Fukushima and U.S. natural disasters.
Bird Population Reduction Greater In Fukushima Than Chernobyl
For the same average radiation dose rate. Not sure why this article would be published in The Economist.
FOXM1 Hunt
Reducing levels of the protein FOXM1 can help increase cell apoptosis which can make cancer therapies more effective.
So That's What A Radioactive "Dump" Looks Like!
You can rely on the media to refer to radioactive waste disposal sites as "dumps". Here's a short clip from the Nevada National Security Site which is typical of what low level radioactive waste disposal sites look like:
Thursday, March 1, 2012
In What Ways Does Lead Damage The Brain?
Lead is associated with health physics because it has historically been used as gamma shielding. The deleterious effects of lead have been known for a long time, but not the underlying mechanisms. Now we have some insights.
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