Bellona nuclear digest. August 2024
A survey of events in the field of nuclear and radiation safety relating to Russia and Ukraine.
News
Publish date: September 15, 2008
News
The travelers purchased what was described as an unusual rock weighing 274 kilograms in Kyrgyzstan, which the three described among themselves as a “glowing marvel.”
Upon their return home, the tourists decided to find out what their unusual souvenir was made of, and broke a piece of the rock off and sent it to geologists at Beijing’s Tsinghua University, who revealed that the power of the “glowing wonder” was depleted uranium and called the police straight away.
The souvenir was confiscated from the travelers, but the were not sent to jail for carrying contraband uranium, as it was clear they were in the dark about their glowing marvel, the Chinese Daily said.
All three underwent medical examinations at a local clinic and were found to be clear of radiation sickness, RIA Novosti reported.
But their close contact with uranium ore could result in other health difficulties. Uranium emits alpha radiation and alpha rays are especially dangerous should the radioactive substance be ingested. By-products of uranium decay, such as radon, also present dangers.
A survey of events in the field of nuclear and radiation safety relating to Russia and Ukraine.
Kazakhstan voted in a referendum last weekend on whether to build its first nuclear power plant, and an exit poll showed voters backed the idea promoted by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev's cabinet in an effort to phase out coal plants.
In this news digest, we monitor events that impact the environment in the Russian Arctic. Our focus lies in identifying the factors that contribute to pollution and climate change.
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