Friends of the Earth, Australia
Media Release 1st October 1999
Attention Chiefs of Staff & Environment Reporters
Watch Nuclear Industry Spin Doctors on Japanese Accident
Environment organisation Friends of the Earth, has called on the Australia=
n
media to be on the look out for nuclear industry spin doctors and
pro-industry commentators talking down the impact of the worst ever
Japanese nuclear accident.
Japan=92s worst ever nuclear accident at the Tokaimura fuel rod processing=
plant underscores the fact that the nuclear industry poses a serious threa=
t
to public health and the environment.
Pro-industry =93specialists=94 will be working overtime to distinguish the=
circumstances of the accident at Tokaimura from circumstances at other
nuclear facilities, especially nuclear power plants.
Professor William Castenburg, Chair of the Dept. Nuclear Engineering,
University of California has been quoted as saying that nuclear power
plants have =93extensive safety analysis=94 that would make a Tokaimura-st=
yle
accident unlikely.
However as recently as September 28, 1999 the Northeast Nuclear Energy
Company, owner and operator of the Millstone Nuclear Power Station in
eastern Connecticut, pleaded guilty to charges of falsifying environmental=
records and agreed to pay a record $10 million fine.
=93It is clear that the Japanese authorities cannot guarantee the safety o=
f
their nuclear facilities,=94 commented Daniel Voronoff, FoE Melbourne nucl=
ear
spokesperson.
=93It is also evident that the regulatory regime of the nuclear industry
world-wide is subject to the vagaries of human sleight-of-hand and error,
with frequent tragic results,=94 added Mr. Voronoff.
=93We repeat our call on the Federal government to suspend uranium sales t=
o
Japan until a complete review of safety has taken place,=94 stated Mr.
Voronoff.
FoE notes that there has been vigorous and wide spread opposition to the
nuclear industry in Japan. Recent local elections and referenda all show
community concern over the health and environmental risks associated with
the nuclear industry.
Tokaimura was the site of a radioactive waste fire in 1997. The waste
processing facility caught fire because high-level wastes caused their
encasement material to ignite. On this occasion there was a significant
release of radioactive material into the environment.
For further comment contact Daniel Voronoff on 0418 178 053
Or John Hallam on 02 9517 3903
Media Release 1st October 1999
Attention Chiefs of Staff & Environment Reporters
Australian Uranium likely at worst ever Japanese nuclear accident
Environment organisation Friends of the Earth, Australia called on the
Australian government to suspend sales of uranium to Japan until that
country conducted a thorough safety review of all nuclear facilities.
Japan=92s worst ever nuclear accident at the Tokaimura uranium enrichment
plant underscores the fact that the nuclear industry poses a serious
threat to public health and the environment.
Japan is one of Australia=92s major uranium customers. They source uranium=
from the Ranger uranium mine in Kakadu National Park. 40% of sales by
uranium mining company Energy Resources of Australia are to Kansai
Kyushu Shikoku Electric Power Company.
=93It is clear that the Japanese authorities cannot guarantee the safety
of their nuclear facilities,=94 commented Daniel Voronoff, FoE Melbourne
nuclear spokesperson.
=93Australia has a moral obligation to ensure that our uranium won=92t end=
up poisoning Japanese citizens, because of poor safety standards,=94 added=
Mr. Voronoff.
=93We call on the Federal government to suspend uranium sales to Japan
until a complete review of safety has taken place,=94 stated Mr. Voronoff.
Reports clearly point to a criticality accident.
=93A criticality accident is the worst form of nuclear accident that can
happen,=94 commented John Hallam, FoE Sydney nuclear spokesperson.
=93This is not just a radioactive leak or spill. The Tokaimura accident
would arise from a fundamental technical oversight,=94 added Mr. Hallam.
FoE notes that there has been vigorous and wide spread opposition to the
nuclear industry in Japan. Recent local elections and referenda all show
community concern over the health and environmental risks associated
with the nuclear industry.
Tokaimura was the site of a radioactive waste fire in 1997. The waste
processing facility caught fire because high-level wastes caused their
encasement material to ignite. On this occasion there was a significant
release of radioactive material into the environment.
For further comment contact Daniel Voronoff on 0418 178 053
Or John Hallam on 02 9517 3903
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