Three Mile Island nuclear plant
Everyone in the world is exposed to radiation due to natural sources. The nuclear industry adds to this exposure - and the risk of increased health affects - through daily releases of radioactively contaminated water and gases. We are also exposed to radiation from materials released by nuclear accidents and the fall-out from atomic bomb explosions.
The nuclear industry is therefore responsible for increasing the risk of damage to our health and, because of the long-lived nature of many nuclear materials as well as the genetic impact of radiation exposure, the health of future generations is at risk too.
There is no safe dose of radiation. Exposure at any level can increase the risk of developing radiation-linked diseases like cancer. The only way to minimise the risk of exposure to radiation is to minimise radiation dose.
In order to facilitate public awareness of the risks of radiation we are supporting the 20th Anniversary Low Level Radiation and Health Conference, to be held at Heriot-Watt University Conference Centre in Edinburgh in July.
The conference will address current and ongoing issues relating to low level radiation, such as health effects, uncertainties around doses and risks, the role of policy and legislation, and more.
Our senior nuclear campaigner, Jean McSorley, will be speaking on the International Commission on Radiation Protection (ICRP). The ICRP is the international body which recommends the 'permitted' limits of radiation exposure. Presently it is under pressure from the nuclear industry to relax the exposure limits for both workers and members of the public. This could lead to increased exposures with a corresponding increased risk to health.
Other topics/speakers include:
- Possible Health Risks due to Electromagnetic Radiation from the Early Warning Radar at RAF Fylingdales (Professor Dave Webb, Leeds Metropolitan University)
- The Politics of Public Protection - history of low level radiation (Emma Barnes, University of Manchester)
- Radioactivity and wildlife (Dr David Copplestone, Environment Agency/Liverpool University)
- Transport (Tim Deere-Jones, independent marine consultant)
This year's Alice Stewart Lecture will be presented by Dr Keith Baverstock, who was formerly based at the World Health Organisation (WHO). Dr Baverstock will discuss "Science, ethics and politics in the low dose debate".
The Low Level Radiation and Health Conference will take place on 2-4 July, 2004 at the Edinburgh Conference Centre, Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh.
