March 16, 2007

Shudders went through the frame of the International Institute of Concern for Public Health ( IICPH) when we learned that the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission(CNSC) had decided to allow CAMECO Corp. to upgrade their existing incinerator at the Blind River uranium refinery so that it could burn radioactively-contaminated combustible by-products generated from CAMECO’s Blind River and Port Hope facilities. The main function of these facilities is the refining of uranium for use in nuclear reactors. CNSC is allowing for an oil-injection system to allow for the incineration of uranium-bearing waste oil.

Uranium cannot be destroyed by incineration. Uranium is pyrophoric, which means that when it is in fine particles, it can catch fire even at normal temperatures. By incinerating it, it will burn at 3,000 to 6,000 degrees centigrade. This will turn the uranium particles into ceramic uranium that is not soluble in body fluids if breathed into the lungs. When this metal vapour finally solidifies in the cooling air, it forms respirable particles, some will be nanometre particles (a nanometre is I billionth of a metre). These are so small that they can pass through the lung-blood barrier, they can escape from the blood vessels and enter into the cells. They can also pass through the blood-brain barrier and enter into the brain itself. They have been found in male seminal fluid, and in the female, they can cross the placenta and cause havoc to the developing embryo or foetus. This metal fume poses an immediate danger for the residents of downwind communities. This is the same problem posed by DU (depleted uranium) weapons. Veterans of wars where DU weapons were used became ill and passed on genetic damage to offspring Populations, even children in countries where DU weapons have been used have been and are being seriously affected. Copies of the DVD Poison DUst, featuring Rosalie Bertell can be obtained from IICPH. See order form in the newsletter or visit our website.