Tuesday, April 30, 2013
How Many Died From Chernobyl?
No one can say with certainty, but contrary to the article, UNSCEAR has not abandoned LNT. The uncertainties are high using LNT at low doses, but it's still the most reasonable approach.
Tank Leak Denialism
At Hanford. When the evidence shows the tank is leaking, it's best to consider that the tank is leaking.
Good job Mike Geffre!
P.S. Marco Kaltofen is a civil engineer, not a "top radiation expert".
Good job Mike Geffre!
P.S. Marco Kaltofen is a civil engineer, not a "top radiation expert".
Monday, April 29, 2013
"Anti-Radiation" Pills Available In SC
For free. Of course, they don't prevent radiation. The pills are potassium iodide and the thyroid gland takes up the iodine in the pill. If the pill is taken shortly before exposure to radioactive iodine (a common fission product) the thyroid gland will take up much less of the radioactive iodine. This will minimize irradiation of the gland.
Friday, April 26, 2013
U.S. Senator Bob Casey Learned Something From Fukushima
Pro-nuclear power folks blame the Fukushima evacuation on misguided fear.
They are wrong.
Japan is a democracy, they decided to have nuclear power and they decided to have particular evacuation limits.
So an accident happened and they evacuated.
The problem is that the people didn't understand what was happening. That's a failing of emergency preparedness and planning. Who is responsible for that? Everyone really...the public, the government and the power plant owners.
Casey trying to improve that in the U.S., though a 50 mile radius is a bit much.
They are wrong.
Japan is a democracy, they decided to have nuclear power and they decided to have particular evacuation limits.
So an accident happened and they evacuated.
The problem is that the people didn't understand what was happening. That's a failing of emergency preparedness and planning. Who is responsible for that? Everyone really...the public, the government and the power plant owners.
Casey trying to improve that in the U.S., though a 50 mile radius is a bit much.
Thursday, April 25, 2013
I'm Doubting Darwin's Doubt
Rod Adam's Wants Civil Disobedience Instead Of Evidence
First there was a petition, now he wants civil disobedience.
For those of us attached to reality, we do our science with evidence, not by petition, not by civil disobedience, not by polling, etc.
I won't even try to comment on his blog, since hecensors moderates them.
For those of us attached to reality, we do our science with evidence, not by petition, not by civil disobedience, not by polling, etc.
I won't even try to comment on his blog, since he
Wednesday, April 24, 2013
Why Is A University Doing This?
Letting Helen Caldicott fear monger about radiation:
She mentions Jim Hansen and global warming, but he recently did a "study" which was pro-nuclear.
Once she becomes aware of it, I'd love to watch her cognitive dissonance.
She mentions Jim Hansen and global warming, but he recently did a "study" which was pro-nuclear.
Once she becomes aware of it, I'd love to watch her cognitive dissonance.
Prof. Jim Al-Khalili Doesn't Understand Health Physics
This was uploaded to YouTube a couple of months ago by BBC Worldwide:
That Settles That!
Earlier today I mentioned the high radiation levels at a TX building. It looks like the cause was a "false positive reading from a marble wall."
Was the wall actually radioactive? If so, it's not a false positive reading.
If not, then what about the marble wall caused the radiation meter to respond as if the wall is radioactive?
Was the wall actually radioactive? If so, it's not a false positive reading.
If not, then what about the marble wall caused the radiation meter to respond as if the wall is radioactive?
Tuesday, April 23, 2013
We Don't Do Science By Petition
Rod Adam's Atomic Ideologies Insights blog points out a petition to stop using LNT. Why not petition that CO2 doesn't cause global warming? It won't make it true, but it might make some people feel better. I commented on his blog, but my comment is in "moderation". HA!
ANS Nuclear Cafe Spreads LNT Doubt
By Jim Hopf. He also wants special priviledge since the EPA uses the same risk values for radioactive material as they do for other toxics. I commented but my comment is in "moderation".
Hanford Tank Leaks Known For More Than A Year
Not looking good for Washington River Protection Solutions.
Why did the article source Marco Kaltofen, a civil engineer who is "currently collecting radioactively contaminated items from around the world to study their affects on human health."?
We understand how radiation affects human health, and that understanding comes from studying exposed humans, not contaminated items.
Why did the article source Marco Kaltofen, a civil engineer who is "currently collecting radioactively contaminated items from around the world to study their affects on human health."?
We understand how radiation affects human health, and that understanding comes from studying exposed humans, not contaminated items.
Sunday, April 21, 2013
Saturday, April 20, 2013
Amy Holmes Is A Climatology Denier
You can see her on Bill Maher's Overtime, but you probably don't want to waste your time.
Oh, she's also a news anchor on Glenn Beck's internet network TheBlaze. Here's Mr. Beck in one of his phobic moments:
Friday, April 19, 2013
New Solar Cell Technology
Improves efficiency by converting a photon (in very narrow band of visible light) into 2 electrons.
n-of-1 Studies
This is analogous to reasoning that low dose radiation causes cancer even though an epidemiological study doesn't discern a difference between a control group and the exposed group.
When drugs are developed they are tested in clinical trials for efficacy as well as unexpected side effects. If there is no efficacy demonstrated (usually at a 90+% statistical certainty level), between those who get the drug and those who don't, the drug flops.
But just because the drug flops, doesn't mean it didn't help anyone who was given the drug.
n-of-1 studies are about understanding why a drug may have helped someone, or why it appears that it did though the cause may not be the drug.
When drugs are developed they are tested in clinical trials for efficacy as well as unexpected side effects. If there is no efficacy demonstrated (usually at a 90+% statistical certainty level), between those who get the drug and those who don't, the drug flops.
But just because the drug flops, doesn't mean it didn't help anyone who was given the drug.
n-of-1 studies are about understanding why a drug may have helped someone, or why it appears that it did though the cause may not be the drug.
Corium Physics
Corium refers to the molten core of a reactor following a meltdown.
A more detailed description is here.
Robert Alvarez Testifies To VT Lawmakers
He's anti-nuclear power, so of course so was his testimony.
The bar must be low to be a senior scholar at the Institute for Policy Studies.
The bar must be low to be a senior scholar at the Institute for Policy Studies.
Former INL Workers Claim Retaliation
They claim they raised health and safety concerns following some Pu contamination.
These kinds of claims are very tricky, so one should let the process follow its course.
These kinds of claims are very tricky, so one should let the process follow its course.
Thursday, April 18, 2013
Rad Waste Politics In TX
A proposed bill would deny legal standing to those in NM, who live close to the Waste Control Specialists' site in TX.
Wednesday, April 17, 2013
Tuesday, April 16, 2013
Atomic Ideologies Can't Handle Reality
The blog Atomic Ideologies Insights has a post on the Fukushima evacuation.
In it Adams wrote, "I think it is a travesty that people are still being forcibly separated from their homes."
I commented that there are people who wanted to get evacuated (at someone else's expense), but couldn't:
I also mentioned that some of the people are returning to their homes.
Those facts were too much for the ideological, and my comment was not posted.
UPDATE: My comment was finally posted, and Adams blames the fear of the evacuees on the radiation protection community. HA! Who is responsible for emergency planning and response at a privately owned (by a public company) power plant? Whacko say what???
In it Adams wrote, "I think it is a travesty that people are still being forcibly separated from their homes."
I commented that there are people who wanted to get evacuated (at someone else's expense), but couldn't:
I also mentioned that some of the people are returning to their homes.
Those facts were too much for the ideological, and my comment was not posted.
UPDATE: My comment was finally posted, and Adams blames the fear of the evacuees on the radiation protection community. HA! Who is responsible for emergency planning and response at a privately owned (by a public company) power plant? Whacko say what???
Monday, April 15, 2013
Well, That Clears Things Up
Here's some terrible reporting from the NYT on the EPA's proposed guidelines for responding to a radiological incident. They quote someone from the EPA who says things don't change much, someone from an anti-nuclear group who says it's horrible, and a blogger who says the standards could be relaxed by a factor of 50.
How about an article on whether the Earth is flat? Get all sides to the story.
How about an article on whether the Earth is flat? Get all sides to the story.
Sunday, April 14, 2013
More Anti-HP Propaganda From Atomic Ideologies
The blog Atomic Ideologies Insights continues the religious proselytizing against science.
Adams cherry-picks certain "experts" and highlights their erroneous opinions. Lather, rinse, repeat.
Cuttler is the one du jour and Rockwell has been one until he died (notice how Cuttler pays homage to Rockwell in the link). And notice how Adams bromances Cuttler. Very religious.
Cuttler makes the same tired old arguments, so I won't address them in detail here, unless a question is asked in the comments....YAWN.
Adams cherry-picks certain "experts" and highlights their erroneous opinions. Lather, rinse, repeat.
Cuttler is the one du jour and Rockwell has been one until he died (notice how Cuttler pays homage to Rockwell in the link). And notice how Adams bromances Cuttler. Very religious.
Cuttler makes the same tired old arguments, so I won't address them in detail here, unless a question is asked in the comments....YAWN.
It Probably Won't Matter, But At Least It Can Be Read
My comment was included on Wade Allison's SPURM-1 page. My comment was a question asking whether or not the scientists (remember it's Scientists for the Public Understanding of Radiation (Mythology, my add)) were logically consistent or not:
"Are these "scientists" also Creationists? Creationists deny that DNA mutations under the forces of natural selection, genetic drift, and gene flow lead to the evolution of species. They deny evolution, which is the central theory of modern biology. These "scientists" deny the theory of LNT (calling it a "hypothesis" like Creationists refer to evolution). But LNT is analogous to evolutionary biology. In LNT, DNA mutations under the force of natural selection in the body's microenvironment cause certain cells to evolve into new "species" we call tumors. The secret of DNA's success is that it is mutable. If DNA repair were perfect, you would not be reading this."
"Are these "scientists" also Creationists? Creationists deny that DNA mutations under the forces of natural selection, genetic drift, and gene flow lead to the evolution of species. They deny evolution, which is the central theory of modern biology. These "scientists" deny the theory of LNT (calling it a "hypothesis" like Creationists refer to evolution). But LNT is analogous to evolutionary biology. In LNT, DNA mutations under the force of natural selection in the body's microenvironment cause certain cells to evolve into new "species" we call tumors. The secret of DNA's success is that it is mutable. If DNA repair were perfect, you would not be reading this."
It probably won't matter, because even if they're not Creationists (lack logical consistency), they display the same behaviors:
Doubting "Darwin's Doubt"
Here's a book soon to be published by biology-denier Stephen Meyer. Fortunately, if you look at the comments, some people are calling a turd, a turd.
Saturday, April 13, 2013
Some Medical Physics
Radiation therapy may raise death risk from later heart surgery.
Lowering kV in lumbar spine CT reduces the radiation dose, without compromising quality.
Lowering kV in lumbar spine CT reduces the radiation dose, without compromising quality.
Understanding Which DNA Mutations Increase Cancer Risk
And by how much, and which are inconsequential is what Myriad Genetics knows.
Friday, April 12, 2013
Not Much Internal Cs Found Around Fukushima
The study was conducted about a year or so after the accident. Depending on the chemical form of the cesium and whether it was ingested and/or inhaled can influence the biological half life. There may have been larger amounts of internal cesium which have since been eliminated, but they couldn't have been real high amounts or we'd still see some.
Thursday, April 11, 2013
Biblical Great Flood Example Of Climate Change
TEPCO vs. H2O
In Round 1, a tsunami (H2O) devastated TEPCO.
In Round 2, TEPCO made a comeback.
In Round 3, H2O is making its comeback
In Round 2, TEPCO made a comeback.
In Round 3, H2O is making its comeback
Draft Revision Of EPA's PAG's
Or Protective Action Guides is discussed here.
The 1 in 23 cancer risk is wrong. Assuming we're talking about mortality, then as I commented within the link:
"The “long term public exposure of 2,000 mrem…” is misleading. The recommendation is 2,000 mrem for first year and 500 mrem each year thereafter. The risk will depend on how long one remains in the area. The risk of death (per PAG which is from EPA(1999) and old) is 6E-4 per rem. So if one stayed in the area under maximum recommended guidelines for 10 years (cleaned up by then or one moves) one’s cancer mortality risk increase is only about 0.4%. Not 1 in 23, which equates to 4%."
The 1 in 23 cancer risk is wrong. Assuming we're talking about mortality, then as I commented within the link:
"The “long term public exposure of 2,000 mrem…” is misleading. The recommendation is 2,000 mrem for first year and 500 mrem each year thereafter. The risk will depend on how long one remains in the area. The risk of death (per PAG which is from EPA(1999) and old) is 6E-4 per rem. So if one stayed in the area under maximum recommended guidelines for 10 years (cleaned up by then or one moves) one’s cancer mortality risk increase is only about 0.4%. Not 1 in 23, which equates to 4%."
Wednesday, April 10, 2013
Shadow Evacuations
After a nuclear power accident. It's a certainty that there will be some degree of shadow evacuations and some degree of people who should evacuate but don't.
No one knows who it will play out until it does.
No one knows who it will play out until it does.
Settling The LNT Debunking Study
I don't know how many times this study has been proffered as debunking LNT.
(This might be a good time to review my webpage "LNT Model & Radiation Studies", right hand side of this page)
(This might be a good time to review my webpage "LNT Model & Radiation Studies", right hand side of this page)
Speaking Of Climate Change Education....
Paul Valdes, University of Bristol.....
One shouldn't get one's climate change education from a 13 year old.
Next Generation Science Standards
Because kids deserve to know. Nice emphasis on climate change and evolutionary biology.
Space Radiation Inhibits Oncoprotein Destruction
In particular Fe-56 in mice, but presumably it holds for humans too.
Tuesday, April 9, 2013
Fukushima Tank Leak Problems May Be Worse
I had posts previously describing the two tank leaks that were found. There are 5 similar tanks and because they are all of common construction, TEPCO thinks they are all susceptible to leakage.
SRS To Hold Emergency Response Drills
In May and June regarding Bldg. 235-F, which houses some powdery Pu.
Monday, April 8, 2013
This Is What A Climate Denier Proselytizer Looks Like
I can't embed the video, but it's here. And you get to see what a climatologist looks like too.
Seal Pups Ails Likely From Starvation
Not radiation, which will cause cognitive dissonance with some anti-nukes.
Sunday, April 7, 2013
The Genesis Of Another Anti-HP Cult
They've been around for a long time. We have the International Hormesis Dose Response Society. There was the Radiation, Science, & Health "international" group.
And now we have SPURM-1 SPUR-1. A "worldwide" group which as far as I can tell consists of four (see Figure 1 within the Acrobat download).
And in a complete lack of scientific integrity they're asking for anyone's opinion on the matter.
Why?
Because someone has to stand up to the experts!
P.S. And you can buy Allison's book.
And now we have
And in a complete lack of scientific integrity they're asking for anyone's opinion on the matter.
Why?
Because someone has to stand up to the experts!
P.S. And you can buy Allison's book.
That Explains Democracy Now
Democracy Now is generally a good quality news broadcast. But they are obviously anti-nuclear power. Here's an example of them giving Arnie Gundersen plenty of air time last year:
Well, Amy Goodman (the host) is on C-Span Book TV today and she said that she's the daughter of the late Dr. George Goodman. And she said he was very involved with the anti-nuclear group Physicians For Social Responsibility.
Radiation Induced Cancer: A Modern View
This is from last December, and it very well reflects my understanding.
Saturday, April 6, 2013
If Two Things Conflict, Let's Delude Ourselves They Don't
Here's Dr. Gerald Schroeder (formerly of the U.S. AEC) telling us that science and the Bible don't conflict. It's from 1999. It's always scary when someone with such intellect can also be so delusional:
"It's More Of A Wish"
No, it's actually more stupidity as KS lawmakers legislative declare that life begins at fertilization.
The sperm and egg aren't dead..they're alive. And assuming all goes well, the zygote is alive.
Yes, the zygote has novel DNA so it is a new organism.
But it is not self-sustaining, it depends on its mother to survive in what is similar to a parasitic relationship.
What is it that these morons are wishing for?
The sperm and egg aren't dead..they're alive. And assuming all goes well, the zygote is alive.
Yes, the zygote has novel DNA so it is a new organism.
But it is not self-sustaining, it depends on its mother to survive in what is similar to a parasitic relationship.
What is it that these morons are wishing for?
Zack Kopplin On Bill Maher
Fukushima Water Tank Leak
Perhaps one of the tanks is leaking, compounding radioactive water storage management.
Friday, April 5, 2013
New Anti-Vaxxer Twist
Anti-vaxxers (those who want you to believe vaccines cause various problems particularly autism) have a new card to play.
"The Species Is Unlikely To Survive"
Here's Noam Chomsky from a few years ago (though recently uploaded), but considering what's happening in the world it's still current:
Fugitive Nat Gas Leaks Need To Be Reduced
There is some disagreement on what the actual leak rate is, but whatever it is, it needs to be reduced.
Thursday, April 4, 2013
James Hansen Disappoints
I mentioned this study he did, but I never read it because the conclusions are obviously true.
I did actually read it, and it uses a risk of death per unit of power generation to reach its conclusions.
In the case of the nuclear risk factor (the only one I explored), the factor is based on a particular reactor type, particular enrichment processes, etc. and particular populations surrounding particular facilities.
It isn't appropriate to generalize that nuclear risk factor.
He also thinks that LNT may have a threshold, which is an oxymoron.
I did actually read it, and it uses a risk of death per unit of power generation to reach its conclusions.
In the case of the nuclear risk factor (the only one I explored), the factor is based on a particular reactor type, particular enrichment processes, etc. and particular populations surrounding particular facilities.
It isn't appropriate to generalize that nuclear risk factor.
He also thinks that LNT may have a threshold, which is an oxymoron.
Squabbles About Homeopathy
With Ben Goldacre (and some bad audio).
Remember that homeopathy was justification for radiation hormesis when T.D. Luckey proposed it.
Remember that homeopathy was justification for radiation hormesis when T.D. Luckey proposed it.
Rad Cancer Therapy
This radical, radiation based technique uses boron capture of neutrons.
However, neutron radiation itself is more carcinogenic than gamma radiation, so it will have the side effect of risk of cancer later in life for the healthy tissue which is exposed to the neutron flux.
However, neutron radiation itself is more carcinogenic than gamma radiation, so it will have the side effect of risk of cancer later in life for the healthy tissue which is exposed to the neutron flux.
Rod Adams Mythicizes Ted Rockwell P2
He did so yesterday on the ANS blog, and today he's doing so on his own.
My comments were erased from the ANS blog, let's see what happens today on his.
Update: One of two comments has been deleted. I wrote something like:
"You can ignore me and my facts if you want, that's what denialism is.
Duane Gish died last month and he likely had close friends and family.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duane_Gish
But if one of them claimed he "tiredlessly argued for the facts", that would not be true.
Emotions shouldn't fog honesty."
Terrible! Horrible!
My comments were erased from the ANS blog, let's see what happens today on his.
Update: One of two comments has been deleted. I wrote something like:
"You can ignore me and my facts if you want, that's what denialism is.
Duane Gish died last month and he likely had close friends and family.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duane_Gish
But if one of them claimed he "tiredlessly argued for the facts", that would not be true.
Emotions shouldn't fog honesty."
Terrible! Horrible!
Wednesday, April 3, 2013
Mangano/Sherman Strike Again
With bad science. They follow their typical pattern...not determining what dose the kids actually received and not looking for other causes other than something nuclear.
Quantum Mechanics Does NOT Support Free Will
Here's a bad article by a graduate physics student. The brain and the rest of the body work at the level of chemistry (molecules). Molecules behave deterministically. In other words, every time you drink your favorite drink, it tastes the same. Chemical reactions always behave the same. Quantum mechanics is appropriate when dealing with atoms or smaller phenomena.
Tuesday, April 2, 2013
Rod Adams Mythicizes Ted Rockwell
On the ANS Cafe blog. Ted Rockwell was an officer of the Radiation, Science and Health, Inc., a fringe group of pro-nuclear energy hormesis advocates. He was also a "Professional" member of the Parapsychological Association.
He was not a promoter of science, but a promoter of pseudo-science.
I'm reminded of Duane Guish who died about a month ago.
The hormesis-cult is very much like the creationist cult...my comments on the blog have been removed for pointing out certain facts!
He was not a promoter of science, but a promoter of pseudo-science.
I'm reminded of Duane Guish who died about a month ago.
The hormesis-cult is very much like the creationist cult...my comments on the blog have been removed for pointing out certain facts!
Monday, April 1, 2013
Nuclear Power Folks Are Scaring Me....
Science Stops Miracles
Americans are just too educated!
And, no, it's not an April Fool's joke, just an April (and every other month) fool.
And, no, it's not an April Fool's joke, just an April (and every other month) fool.
Conca Spanks Mangano
It's funny to read a health physics denier (pro-nuclear power) attack another health physics denier (anti-nuclear power). I commented within his blog as "Anon", though more than one Anon may appear.
FCC & Cell Phone Health Effects
They are thinking about it...they should convene a National Academy of Sciences study on it.
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