In May, the International Radiation Protection Association conference in Hiroshima discussed the latest findings from the Tokai Mura accident and research from the Radiation Effects Research Foundation, set up by the United States and Japanese governments in 1950 to study A-bomb survivors. Studies confirm that above a certain level, the higher the radiation dose received the higher the risk of getting cancer. This level is roughly the dose received from 25 back x-rays. Importantly, it is still impossible to be sure if any risk exists below that level. Although the prospect of an explosion is low, questions relating to radioactive emissions for the reactor still exist and the vulnerability of the area to earthquakes needs to be addressed.
Radiation can cause cancer and death but there are benefits, too.
It allows us to perform x-rays and nuclear medicine scans which look inside the body without the need for surgery. It also allows radiotherapy to treat cancers. Some nuclear medicine and radiotherapy materials come from the Lucas Heights facility. Apart from the possibility of an accident, there is still the question of disposal of radioactive waste produced by the proposed reactor. This waste, called intermediate level waste, cannot be stored in the low-level waste repository that is being developed in northern South Australia.