During the last 4 fours, a lot of changes have taken place in Indian telecom sector. The number of fixed-line users has come down. People want to go for mobile phone whether it is necessary or not. The revolution is a phenomenon. As of end of February 2009, the mobile phone user base was 376 million. The major GSM players are: Bharti, Vodafone, BSNL and Idea, while the CDMA firms are mainly Reliance and Tata Teleservices. The time spent by people making or receiving calls on mobile phones is one the rise. At the end of December 2008, minutes of GSM mobile usage (mou) worked out to be an average 496 minutes per month. The demand for mobile phones from rural sector is also increasing greatly.
One can see the many tall mobile tower structures coming up in the rural skylines. In cities, mobile towers are erected on building tops in heavily populated areas. The electromagnetic pollution levels measured in some places are much more than the permissible levels. It is also reported that the radiation from the towers can cause many health effects, including cancer, headaches, genetic disorders, etc. None of the service providers has come forward to explain the higher radiation levels measured and the actual position to the common man.
The mobile users in the country have a right to know what are the benefits and harmful effects of such radiation exposures and what precautions should be taken to prevent any possible harmful effects.
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Scrap monitoring for radioactivity - global issue
International experts from several countries said in a meeting held at Spain recently that urgent steps are needed to protect people from radioactive material that can inadvertently end up at junk and scrap yards.
In the last three years, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has become aware of around 500 events involving uncontrolled ionizing radiation sources, about 150 of which were related to sources found in scrap metal or contaminated goods or materials. A large portion of the scrap metal that is consumed annually is traded internationally, and may originate in one country and be transported long distances before being processed in another country. This is clearly a global problem that hence requires the application of a globally harmonized approach involving all stakeholders, says the IAEA official.
The regulatory approach is based on providing International Safety Standards by the IAEA (which is in place), and provide better guidance to regulators, scrap dealers, and metal recycling industries on how to deal with problems when they occur. The scope of the new protocol involves the detection and monitoring of radioactivity in the storage facilities and industries where scrap metal is collected and handled. Key elements include creating a register of ascribed companies, monitoring material at the entrance of the facilities as well as the final products and waste, and establishing sequence of actions to be taken when radioactivity is detected in the scrap.
In the last three years, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has become aware of around 500 events involving uncontrolled ionizing radiation sources, about 150 of which were related to sources found in scrap metal or contaminated goods or materials. A large portion of the scrap metal that is consumed annually is traded internationally, and may originate in one country and be transported long distances before being processed in another country. This is clearly a global problem that hence requires the application of a globally harmonized approach involving all stakeholders, says the IAEA official.
The regulatory approach is based on providing International Safety Standards by the IAEA (which is in place), and provide better guidance to regulators, scrap dealers, and metal recycling industries on how to deal with problems when they occur. The scope of the new protocol involves the detection and monitoring of radioactivity in the storage facilities and industries where scrap metal is collected and handled. Key elements include creating a register of ascribed companies, monitoring material at the entrance of the facilities as well as the final products and waste, and establishing sequence of actions to be taken when radioactivity is detected in the scrap.
Saturday, April 4, 2009
Chemical toxicity of natural uranium
Uranium is a naturally occurring element, with an atomic number of 92 and density as high as 18 g/cc. Its radioactive nature was discovered in 1896 by A.H. Becqueral. Initially, it was used as a coloring agent in glass and as a homeopathic medicine. Subsequently, uranium is used as a fuel in nuclear power reactors. The uranium deposits are mined (mainly from Singhbhum area of Bihar) and the metal is produced by series of chemical and metallurgical operations.
Uranium is distributed widely in nature and is estimated to be present in the earth’s crust to the extent of about 4 parts per million. It is more abundant than many familiar elements such as gold, silver and mercury. Uranium content of sea water is 3 parts per billion. Traces of uranium are also found in both food and drinking water. The average daily intake of uranium through food and fluids is estimated to be 1.9 micro gram.
The chemical toxicity of uranium is more dominating when it is in water soluble compounds such as carbonates, nitrates, phosphates, fluorides, etc. One of the three oxides of uranium, i.e., UO3 is more soluble as compared to other insoluble oxides, viz., UO2 and U3O8. In soluble form, it can be transported by ground/surface water. Very small part of the ingested uranium is absorbed by the body which ultimately gets deposited in bone and kidney. While passing through kidney, uranium gets precipitated, thus increasing kidney burden. The assessed safe threshold for uranium in kidney is in the range of 1 to 3 microgram/g of kidney tissue. The quantity of uranium in blood that might produce a human fatality is 60 mg. The threshold limit value in blood for uranium induced proteinurea is 2.7 mg. Drinking water standards vary considerably and are reported in the range of 15 to 100 microgram uranium per liter of water.
To control the kidney burden, uranium should be kept in body fluids as a stable complex, such as bicarbonate complex, so that it is filterable in kidney and excreted through urine. That is the reason why sodium bicarbonate solution (1 to 1.5% in saline) is used for internal decontamination of uranium.
Uranium is distributed widely in nature and is estimated to be present in the earth’s crust to the extent of about 4 parts per million. It is more abundant than many familiar elements such as gold, silver and mercury. Uranium content of sea water is 3 parts per billion. Traces of uranium are also found in both food and drinking water. The average daily intake of uranium through food and fluids is estimated to be 1.9 micro gram.
The chemical toxicity of uranium is more dominating when it is in water soluble compounds such as carbonates, nitrates, phosphates, fluorides, etc. One of the three oxides of uranium, i.e., UO3 is more soluble as compared to other insoluble oxides, viz., UO2 and U3O8. In soluble form, it can be transported by ground/surface water. Very small part of the ingested uranium is absorbed by the body which ultimately gets deposited in bone and kidney. While passing through kidney, uranium gets precipitated, thus increasing kidney burden. The assessed safe threshold for uranium in kidney is in the range of 1 to 3 microgram/g of kidney tissue. The quantity of uranium in blood that might produce a human fatality is 60 mg. The threshold limit value in blood for uranium induced proteinurea is 2.7 mg. Drinking water standards vary considerably and are reported in the range of 15 to 100 microgram uranium per liter of water.
To control the kidney burden, uranium should be kept in body fluids as a stable complex, such as bicarbonate complex, so that it is filterable in kidney and excreted through urine. That is the reason why sodium bicarbonate solution (1 to 1.5% in saline) is used for internal decontamination of uranium.
Friday, April 3, 2009
Uranium deforming children of Faridkot?
Reputed News papers like Times of India should not publish stories of this kind which is definitely “misinformation” without any specific scientific evidence.
Uranium is a naturally occurring element and is present in the rock to the extent of about 4 part per million. In trace levels, uranium is also present in ground water sources. The compounds of uranium differ in their solubility. Some compounds such as chloride, phosphates, carbonates and nitrates are soluble and compounds like oxides are insoluble in water. Uranium is a radioactive element. Because of very long half life, the specific activity, i.e., radioactivity per gram is very low.
Hexavalent uranium compounds with carbonates and phosphates are most stable compounds and forms soluble compounds with water and hence are transported through soil to some distances. If there is any source of uranium in nearby areas, it is possible that soluble uranium compounds can get into ground water sources and get ingested in the body. A very small fraction of the ingested uranium gets metabolized in the body and gets deposited in bone and kidney.
Uranium is used in nuclear reactors as fuel. The fuel production facilities, such as mines, uranium concentration and purification plants discharge very small amount of uranium in well controlled and regulated manner into the environment.
It is highly improbable that the deformation or any genetic effects occurring due to the intake of uranium. Radiation is categorized as a weak mutagen. The probability of uranium causing the health effect described in the story is almost zero. However, there is a good possibility of chemical entities such as fluorides, and heavy metals such as lead, etc pollute ground water to a great extent. It is also well known that chemical pollutants cause mutation of the body cells to a much greater extent which ultimately may manifest as genetic disorder in exposed population.
Hence, it is important that complete chemical analysis of the water samples be done before coming out with any premature conclusion which will adversely influence public opinion on nuclear applications
Uranium is a naturally occurring element and is present in the rock to the extent of about 4 part per million. In trace levels, uranium is also present in ground water sources. The compounds of uranium differ in their solubility. Some compounds such as chloride, phosphates, carbonates and nitrates are soluble and compounds like oxides are insoluble in water. Uranium is a radioactive element. Because of very long half life, the specific activity, i.e., radioactivity per gram is very low.
Hexavalent uranium compounds with carbonates and phosphates are most stable compounds and forms soluble compounds with water and hence are transported through soil to some distances. If there is any source of uranium in nearby areas, it is possible that soluble uranium compounds can get into ground water sources and get ingested in the body. A very small fraction of the ingested uranium gets metabolized in the body and gets deposited in bone and kidney.
Uranium is used in nuclear reactors as fuel. The fuel production facilities, such as mines, uranium concentration and purification plants discharge very small amount of uranium in well controlled and regulated manner into the environment.
It is highly improbable that the deformation or any genetic effects occurring due to the intake of uranium. Radiation is categorized as a weak mutagen. The probability of uranium causing the health effect described in the story is almost zero. However, there is a good possibility of chemical entities such as fluorides, and heavy metals such as lead, etc pollute ground water to a great extent. It is also well known that chemical pollutants cause mutation of the body cells to a much greater extent which ultimately may manifest as genetic disorder in exposed population.
Hence, it is important that complete chemical analysis of the water samples be done before coming out with any premature conclusion which will adversely influence public opinion on nuclear applications
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Radiation from mobile phones and towers
In view of the large scale usage of mobile phones, there has been much apprehension worldwide about the health concerns of its prolonged use.
It is reported that the latest Bluetooth devices use Radio Frequency (RF) with the spectrum in the range 2.4 GHz to 2.4835 GHz. The power output from a typical Class 3 Bluetooth device is 1 mW/square cm, which is of the same order of the limit for exposure of RF from cell-phones, which uses RF of 0.9 GHz. The Bluetooth devices are meant for attachment to the ear all the time. This may do irreversible damage to the ear internals.
RF radiation is also emitting from the towers erected on the buildings and almost everywhere. Some towers are legal and most of them are illegally erected. Some measurements carried out have shown that the levels of radiation exposures from the towers are significant and often exceed the limit. Long term effects are still not well known. Keeping in mind the uncertainty and the gaps in our knowledge about the health effects of exposure to the RF radiation, particularly due to its prolonged usage, it is not advisable to completely rule out adverse health effects, even at levels of RF exposures below the existing international guidelines.
Under the circumstance, it is advised to use mobiles for sending only messages and not for long gossip sessions. The mobiles should be kept away from the children. A separate regulatory body should be set up by the government to monitor the exposure levels from the towers at different areas to check compliance with the international regulatory limits.
It is reported that the latest Bluetooth devices use Radio Frequency (RF) with the spectrum in the range 2.4 GHz to 2.4835 GHz. The power output from a typical Class 3 Bluetooth device is 1 mW/square cm, which is of the same order of the limit for exposure of RF from cell-phones, which uses RF of 0.9 GHz. The Bluetooth devices are meant for attachment to the ear all the time. This may do irreversible damage to the ear internals.
RF radiation is also emitting from the towers erected on the buildings and almost everywhere. Some towers are legal and most of them are illegally erected. Some measurements carried out have shown that the levels of radiation exposures from the towers are significant and often exceed the limit. Long term effects are still not well known. Keeping in mind the uncertainty and the gaps in our knowledge about the health effects of exposure to the RF radiation, particularly due to its prolonged usage, it is not advisable to completely rule out adverse health effects, even at levels of RF exposures below the existing international guidelines.
Under the circumstance, it is advised to use mobiles for sending only messages and not for long gossip sessions. The mobiles should be kept away from the children. A separate regulatory body should be set up by the government to monitor the exposure levels from the towers at different areas to check compliance with the international regulatory limits.
Friday, January 2, 2009
Half a Century of Nuclear Safety
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)’s contribution to nuclear safety worldwide is marking a significant milestone this December 2008 with the fiftieth anniversary of the launch of the Agency’s safety standards. The first IAEA safety series publication, entitled Safe Handling of Radioisotopes, was issued in December 1958.
The IAEA safety standards are a collection of fundamental radiation protection principles, requirements for the protection and guidance that serves as a global reference for ensuring safety in all areas in the nuclear sector. The standards reflect international consensus on what constitutes a high level of safety for protecting people and the environment.
The application of IAEA safety standards through, inter alia, peer reviews and advisory services at national and international levels are essential to support the development of effective national safety infrastructures. A big part of the IAEA´s statutory mandate is the establishment and promotion of international standards and guides, says, Head of the IAEA´s Publishing Section, IAEA. International standards, however, should not be seen to be in conflict with national regulations.
More than 200 safety standards have been published. They cover nuclear safety, radiation protection, radioactive waste management, the transport of radioactive materials, the safety of nuclear fuel cycle facilities and quality assurance.
"I CARE FOR YOU" WISHES ALL THE BLOGGERS/READERS A VERY HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SAFE NEW YEAR - 2009
The IAEA safety standards are a collection of fundamental radiation protection principles, requirements for the protection and guidance that serves as a global reference for ensuring safety in all areas in the nuclear sector. The standards reflect international consensus on what constitutes a high level of safety for protecting people and the environment.
The application of IAEA safety standards through, inter alia, peer reviews and advisory services at national and international levels are essential to support the development of effective national safety infrastructures. A big part of the IAEA´s statutory mandate is the establishment and promotion of international standards and guides, says, Head of the IAEA´s Publishing Section, IAEA. International standards, however, should not be seen to be in conflict with national regulations.
More than 200 safety standards have been published. They cover nuclear safety, radiation protection, radioactive waste management, the transport of radioactive materials, the safety of nuclear fuel cycle facilities and quality assurance.
"I CARE FOR YOU" WISHES ALL THE BLOGGERS/READERS A VERY HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SAFE NEW YEAR - 2009
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Fire at Japan nuclear power plant, no radiation leak
(Report dated December 8, 2008)
A fire broke out at a nuclear power plant in northern Japan, at the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear complex and a worker was sickened by smoke inhalation. The plant operator said that there was no release of radioactivity. The fire broke out at a turbine facility during welding of pipes aimed at enhancing quake resistance, Tokyo Electric Power Co (TEPCO) said in a statement. The fire was extinguished within one hour and there was no radiation leak from the incident. The cause of the fire is under investigation, the TEPCO said.
The nuclear power complex, which suffered extensive damage in an earthquake last year, has been out of service and undergoing repairs. The incident occurred just days after a Dec. 1-5 inspection by a team from the United Nations nuclear watchdog. The team of 10 experts from the Vienna-based International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) assessed safety measures designed to deal with the continuing threat of earthquakes.
Natural and man-made disasters like larger earthquakes, fire incidents and terrorist attacks can cause serious consequences involving radioactivity leakage and radiation exposure to public. Comprehensive preparedness plans should be in place to respond quickly to such situations with minimum loss to property and human lives.
A fire broke out at a nuclear power plant in northern Japan, at the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear complex and a worker was sickened by smoke inhalation. The plant operator said that there was no release of radioactivity. The fire broke out at a turbine facility during welding of pipes aimed at enhancing quake resistance, Tokyo Electric Power Co (TEPCO) said in a statement. The fire was extinguished within one hour and there was no radiation leak from the incident. The cause of the fire is under investigation, the TEPCO said.
The nuclear power complex, which suffered extensive damage in an earthquake last year, has been out of service and undergoing repairs. The incident occurred just days after a Dec. 1-5 inspection by a team from the United Nations nuclear watchdog. The team of 10 experts from the Vienna-based International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) assessed safety measures designed to deal with the continuing threat of earthquakes.
Natural and man-made disasters like larger earthquakes, fire incidents and terrorist attacks can cause serious consequences involving radioactivity leakage and radiation exposure to public. Comprehensive preparedness plans should be in place to respond quickly to such situations with minimum loss to property and human lives.
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