Impacts of Nuclear Energy on Workers and Environment

1
Impacts of Nuclear Energy on Workers and
Environment

• Presented by Mashile Phalane
• Johannesburg

2
Purpose

• To open the Nuclear debate/Vulindaba
• To enforce proper regulations on health and
  environment with reference NEMA and
  constitutions
• To request for government commission of enquiry
  on illness as there is pattern.

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Introduction

• In S.A Nuclear industry operated in complete
  secrecy in its 40 years, resulting in a legacy
  of self regulatory institutions that damages
  human life and dignity of the workers and their
  families.
• Providing a better life for all and well-being of
  our workers, becomes a core value in our
  discussion today.

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Why health and environment

• Nuclear industry has clear history of controversy
  and suppression of evidence in the health effects
  ( Dr .J Goffman, Dr A.Tamplin)
• Industry records of emissions and workers health
  may in any case not be very good, complete and
  reliable

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Health impacts

• Uranium radio-activity causes
• high exposure death, blood cancer,
• Gastrointestinal disorders, bacteria infections,
  hemorrhaging, anemia, loss of blood fluids,
  electrolyte imbalance,
• Leukemia and defects.

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Findings

• More than 500 workers are requesting medical
  records and more enquiring are being received
  everyday
• 208 workers undergone medical test
• 56 workers need specialized medical test like
  lung functions, blood counts and etc.
• Two work related deaths
• 11 definite radiation illness

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Findings
8
Findings
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Findings (DEATH)

• Young University graduate Victor Motha died as a
  result of inhaling a fluorgas in 2001
• H.R Daniels a NECSA security guards died on
  cancer illness as result of evacuation
• On 7 August 1986, two people died and two were
  injured at NECSAs Pelindaba Z-plant as a result
  of fire caused by flammable wax-polish (reported
  by Argone National Laboratory).

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Revelation of Victor MothaDeath
He died after gas inhalation with 2 other
people. The minister promised the family that she
will leave no stone unturned, by two
investigation Necsa labour. No Reports so
far After MG revealed this, the family received
R6000 by post claiming to be compensations
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Interesting cases

• Mr Sipho Jaca, as diagnosed by Kalafong hospital
  for exposure to uranium isotopes and develop
  grave disease
• Mr Ben Otto as Senior Safari reactor operator.
  In 1988 the reactor was leaking Ben and others
  were repairing highly radio-active reactor.
• Mr Daniels, as security guards not involve with
  radiation but become sick due to radiation illness

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Recommendations

• The committee must develop policy interventions
  by separating NNR from DME
• Set-up epidemiology requirements before
  constructing nuclear power
• Set-up commission of enquiry on workers illness.