May 4, 1999
ATTENTION: Chiefs of Staff & Environmental Reporters
SYDNEY NUCLEAR REACTOR: WASTING AUSTRALIA
Environment organisation Friends of the Earth has today condemned the
Commonwealth approval for a new nuclear reactor in the suburban heartland of
Sydney. The reactor will mean more cancer deaths in Sydney and greater risks
associated with the transportation of nuclear wastes.
The release of the Cancer Council study on the incidence of thyroid cancer
showed significantly higher rates amongst women in the southern suburbs where
the old nuclear reactor is sited. The new reactor will be built on the same
site despite the fact that it is plumb in the middle of a major suburban growth
corridor.
�Today�s decision shows the contempt with which the government regards the
health of its citizens,� commented Daniel Voronoff, nuclear spokesperson.
�Instead of approving the reactor the government should be conducting an
in-depth health study of the region to follow up the Cancer Council findings,�
added Mr. Voronoff.
The nuclear reactor will produce high-level nuclear waste that will be
transported through the suburbs of Sydney, shipped to France to be reprocessed.
The wastes will be returned at 80 times the original volume.
This waste will be dumped in the proposed national nuclear waste dump in remote
South Australia. Transporting this waste to the dump will put all communities
en-route at risk of accidental radioactive exposure or contamination.
�The health impacts of this decision will not be confined to Sydney alone.
Transportation and dumping of nuclear wastes is the quickest route to wasting
Australia. It ensures that all communities along the way, their homes and their
farm lands will be at risk of accidental exposure and contamination,� continued
Mr. Voronoff.
The sad irony of this decision is that taxpayers will be billed to the tune of
over $300 million for the privilege of being exposed to greater risk of
radioactive contamination.
The money would be better spent on building cyclotrons that produce all the
isotopes needed for medical diagnosis without producing large volumes of
nuclear waste.
For further comment contact Daniel Voronoff on 03 9419 8700
--
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