Radiation and Health
AMONG the many environmental concerns surrounding nuclear power plants, there is one that provokes public anxiety like no other: the fear that children living near nuclear facilities face an increased risk of cancer. Though a link has long been suspected, it has never been proven. Now that seems likely to change. Studies in the 1980s revealed increased incidences of childhood leukaemia near nuclear installations at Windscale (now Sellafield), Burghfield and Dounreay in the UK. Later studies near German nuclear facilities found a similar effect. The official response was that the radiation doses from the nearby plants were too low to explain the increased leukaemia. The Committee on Medical Aspects of Radiation in the Environment, which is responsible for advising the UK government, finally concluded that the explanation remained unknown but was not likely to be radiation. There the issue rested, until a recent flurry of epidemiological studies appeared.
New Scientist 26th April 2008 more >>
Companies
British defence and aerospace conglomerate BAE Systems has held negotiations with one of the companies selected to design nuclear reactors, in a bid to participate in the UK’s nuclear revival, reported the Financial Times.
Energy Business Review 25th April 2008 more >>
FT 24th April 2008 more >>
North Korea
The US has accused North Korea of helping Syria to build a covert nuclear reactor “not intended for peaceful purposes”.
Sky News 25th April 2008 more >>
Independent 25th April 2008 more >>
Times 25th April 2008 more >>
Guardian 25th April 2008 more >>
Herald 25th April 2008 more >>
The release of the previously top-secret intelligence comes at a sensitive time in the six-party talks in which the US is aiming to persuade Pyongyang to acknowledge, and abandon, its nuclear programmes. After insisting for months that North Korea would have to make a complete declaration of its nuclear activities, the administration has reached a tentative deal in which Pyongyang would only “acknowledge” US concerns about proliferation to Syria, and an alleged uranium-enrichment programme, in a secret side agreement.
FT 25th April 2008 more >>
Nuclear Weapons
The UK has hired an extra 1100 scientists and technicians for its two nuclear weapons sites in Berkshire – an increase of 25% in less than four years – despite government denials that any decision has been taken on designing a new missile warhead for the Royal Navy.
Herald 25th April 2008 more >>
