Monday, November 12, 2012

11/10/2012 Major Study: Exposure to Low-Level Radiation Can Cause Leukemia

Source: Washington's Blog
Date: 11/10/2012

Numerous Studies Show that Low-Level Exposure Causes Cancer

Japan Times reports:
Protracted exposure to low-level radiation is associated with a significant increase in the risk of leukemia, according to a long-term study published Thursday in a U.S. research journal.
The study released in the monthly Environmental Health Perspectives was based on a 20-year survey of around 110,000 workers who engaged in cleanup work related to the Chernobyl nuclear plant disaster in 1986.
Scientists from the University of California, San Francisco, the U.S. National Cancer Institute and the National Research Center for Radiation Medicine in Ukraine were among those who participated in the research.
***
Keigo Endo, a radiologist and president of Kyoto College of Medical Science, pointed to previous data showing an increased risk of leukemia with cumulative radiation exposure of as low as 120 millisieverts.
“The latest finding underlines the importance of long-term followup surveys. Further details of the survey should be examined to confirm specific dose levels that could cause leukemia,” Endo said.
Many nuclear scientists agree.
Indeed, the overwhelming consensus among radiation scientists is that repeated exposure to low doses of radiation can cause cancer, genetic mutations and other severe health problemsespecially in small children.
Yet many governments pretend that low doses of radiation are harmless. In fact, many governments have been covering up the danger from radiation for 67 years, because they want to push nuclear power as a way to make nuclear weapons.  And see this.

Sunday, November 11, 2012

11/9/2012 Coolant, record-keeping troubles at San Onofre

Source: The Orange County Register
Date: 11/9/2012
by: PAT BRENNAN

New problems came to light late this week at the shuttered San Onofre nuclear plant, including coolant found in the oil system of a backup generator and a record-keeping error stretching back to 1985.


New problems came to light late this week at the shuttered San Onofre nuclear plant, including coolant found in the oil system of a backup generator and a record-keeping error stretching back to 1985.
None of the problems posed a danger to plant workers or the public, plant operator Southern California Edison and a Nuclear Regulatory spokesman said Friday....
Read the rest here

Friday, November 9, 2012

11/8/2012 Fermi 2 nuke plant shut down

Source: northwestohio.com
Date: Posted: 11.08.2012 at 2:20 PM
by: Kevin Kistner

MONROE CO. -- The Fermi 2 nuclear power plant in Monroe County has been shut down.
DTE Energy says it took the plant offline after finding an excess of hydrogen gas in a cooling center for the main electrical generator.
An increase in hydrogen gas in the water-cooled system decreases its efficiency.
The generator is on the non-nuclear side of the plant and has two separate cooling systems for its different sections.   One uses water and the other hydrogen.

Monday, November 5, 2012

11/5/2012 S. Korea shuts down two nuclear reactors due to fake parts

Source: CCTV
Date: 1-06-2012 00:12 BJT

Video Description
South Korea has shut down two nuclear reactors after components were found to have false quality certificates.

The country’s Ministry of Knowledge Economy said the two reactors at the Yeonggwang nuclear power plant in the country’s southwest, will be closed until the end of the year, to have their parts replaced. Despite a wide use of such parts in at least two nuclear reactors, officials said there is no direct link to the safety of the nuclear reactors.

The ministry added that the parts are mostly legitimate products, that have had no problems when used in other industrial sectors. However, the parts need to be proven to be safe for use in nuclear power plants and thus require quality and safety warranties from one of 12 international organizations that have been designated by Seoul.

The shut down of the 2 reactors is expected to cause major disruptions to the country’s electricity supply. South Korea operates 23 nuclear reactors, generating about 30 percent of its total electricity.


Friday, November 2, 2012

11/1/2012 Fukushima Crime Syndicate

Source: Breaking the Set
Date: 11/1/2012
by: Abby Martin

Description
Abby Martin takes a look at the intertwined relationship between the Japanese Yakuza crime syndicate and the nuclear energy industry in Japan.
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Thursday, November 1, 2012

10/31/2012 Alert lifted at Oyster Creek

Source(s): Associated Press, NRC
Date: 10/31/2012

As per the AP:
[...]
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission said an alert at the Oyster Creek plant in Forked River, N.J., ended early Wednesday. An alert is the second-lowest designation in a four-tiered warning system.
The alert was triggered as water rose outside the plant, threatening cooling equipment. NRC officials said water levels had since fallen and were still dropping. The plant, which was offline before the storm, also regained offsite power after losing it.
[...]
The full history of the alert can be garnered the the NRC (Nuclear Regulatory Commission) event notification report 48452 here.