Fukushima News 3/13/16: 3,000 Tons Radioactive Waste Unreported;Thyroid Cancer Victims Unite

• Report rights infringement
• published: 14 Mar 2016
• views: 53

‘No plan A’: US unprepared for nuclear crisis as more Fukushima radiation found off West Coast https://www.rt.com/usa/335306-fukushi... Survey: 3,000 tons of radioactive waste unreported An NHK survey has found that at least 3,000 tons of undesignated radioactive waste from the 2011 Fukushima nuclear accident is being kept in 30 municipalities in 7 prefectures. Local governments and farmers have not reported that they are storing the waste, as they are worried about false rumors. The government designates, stores and disposes of rice straw and soil that are contaminated with more than 8,000 becquerels of radioactive materials per kilogram. However, it is up to municipalities and farmers whether to apply for the designation. NHK surveyed more than 500 municipalities in eastern Japan and found that 3,114 tons of this type of waste is being kept in 30 municipalities in 7 prefectures, including Fukushima and Tokyo, without being designated. Some local governments said they did not report that they were storing the waste because they are worried about false rumors. Others said they would still have to keep the waste if it is designated, as the construction of disposal facilities is facing difficulties. The government plans to investigate the actual situation of undesignated waste, and consider methods of disposal. Families of Fukushima cancer patients form network Family members of children who've been diagnosed with thyroid cancer in Fukushima Prefecture have formed a group to exchange information and share concerns. Members of the group appeared with a lawyer at a news conference on Saturday. Two fathers joined via TV phone. One said he was stunned to discover his child has cancer. He said being able to talk to other people has made it easier to cope. He also said he wants to know the cause. The group includes 5 families. They plan to approach others to join. Fukushima Prefecture has offered medical checkups to more than 380,000 people who were 18 or younger at the time of the nuclear accident 5 years ago. Health authorities say the number of people so far diagnosed with cancer or suspected cancer is 167. A committee of experts advising the prefectural government says it seems unlikely that the numbers are due to radiation. It says people have been exposed to low amounts. Rally against nuclear power held in Taiwan People opposing nuclear power in Taiwan have held a rally in the capital Taipei to mark the 5th anniversary of the March 11, 2011 earthquake that caused a nuclear disaster in Japan. Members of environmental groups and people living near nuclear plants attended the rally. It took place close to the presidential office on Saturday. Participants demanded construction of a new nuclear power station be stopped and existing ones be shut down. They chanted slogans like: "Let's end nuclear power generation." A mother accompanied by her children said she is concerned about nuclear accidents. She said Taiwan should switch to renewable energies. Three nuclear plants are currently in operation in Taiwan. They accounted for around 16 percent of its total power output last year. In the wake of Japan's nuclear accident 5 years ago, many people in Taiwan raised questions about the safety of the power source. This resulted in a freeze on the construction of a fourth plant near Taipei. Taiwan's president-elect Tsai Ing-wen, of the Democratic Progressive Party, says she aims to do away with nuclear power by 2025. With her inauguration in May, efforts to phase out the reactors and secure alternative energy sources are expected to intensify. But concerns have been raised about possible power shortages. How to dispose of spent nuclear fuel is also a contentious issue. We don’t leave them dying http://fukushima-diary.com/2016/03/co... ‘No plan A’: US unprepared for nuclear crisis as more Fukushima radiation found off West Coast https://www.rt.com/usa/335306-fukushi... A lingering nuclear threat https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinio... MOX alternative holds risk for chain reaction, study warns http://chronicle.augusta.com/news/met... List of Approved Spent Fuel Storage Casks: Holtec International HI-STORM 100 Cask System; Certificate of Compliance No. 1014, Amendment No. 10 https://www.federalregister.gov/artic... Nuclear workers say they were retaliated against for exposing wrongdoing http://www.thestate.com/news/local/ar... https://www.sciencedaily.com/news/ear... http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/i... http://www.alternative-energy-news.in...