Reducing the risks of nuclear war - the role of health professionals

@#In January, 2023, the Science and Security Board of the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists moved the hands of the Doomsday Clock forward to 90’s before midnight, reflecting the growing risk of nuclear war.1 In August, 2022, the UN Secretary-General António Guterres warned that the world is now in “a time of nuclear danger not seen since the height of the Cold War.2 The danger has been underlined by growing tensions between many nuclear armed states.1,3 As editors of health and medical journals worldwide, we call on health professionals to alert the public and our leaders to this major danger to public health and the essential life support systems of the planet—and urge action to prevent it.

Time to treat the climate and nature crisis as one indivisible Global Health Emergency

@#Over 200 health journals call on the United Nations, political leaders, and health professionals to recognise that climate change and biodiversity loss are one indivisible crisis and must be tackled together to preserve health and avoid catastrophe. This overall environmental crisis is now so severe as to be a global health emergency.

On the brink: The climate and nature crisis and risks of nuclear war

@#The Russian military invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, and Hamas’ terror attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, signaled the beginning of two of the most recent wars to make international headlines. To date, over 110 armed conflicts are taking place: over 45 in the Middle East and North Africa (Cyprus, Egypt, Iraq, Israel, Libya, Morocco, Palestine, Syria, Turkey, Yemen, Western Sahara); over 35 in Africa (Burkina Faso, Cameroon, the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Mali, Mozambique, Nigeria, Senegal, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan); 21 in Asia (Afghanistan, India, Myanmar, Pakistan, the Philippines); seven in Europe (Russia, Ukraine, Moldova, Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan); and six in Latin America (three each in Mexico and Colombia); with two more international armed conflicts (between India and Pakistan, and between India and China) in Asia.1 This list does not even include such problematic situations as those involving China and the South East Asia region. As though these situations of armed violence were not enough, mankind has already passed or is on the verge of passing several climate tipping points – a recent review lists nine Global core tipping elements (and their tipping points) - the Greenland Ice Sheet (collapse); West Antarctic Ice Sheet (collapse); Labrador-Irminger Seas / SPG Convection (collapse); East Antarctic Subglacial Basins (collapse); Amazon Rainforest (dieback); Boreal Permafrost (collapse); Atlantic M.O. Circulation (collapse); Arctic Winter Sea Ice (collapse); and East Antarctic Ice Sheet (collapse); and seven Regional impact tipping elements (and their tipping points) – Low-latitude Coral Reefs (die-off); Boreal Permafrost (abrupt thaw); Barents Sea Ice (abrupt loss); Mountain Glaciers (loss); Sahel and W. African Monsoon (greening); Boreal Forest (southern dieback); and Boreal Forest (northern expansion).2 Closer to home, how can we forget the disaster and devastation wrought by Super Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda) 10 years ago to date? Whether international or non-international, armed conflicts raise the risk of nuclear war. Russia has already “rehearsed its ability to deliver a ‘massive’ nuclear strike,” conducting “practical launches of ballistic and cruise missiles,” and stationed a first batch of tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus,3 and the possibility of nuclear escalation in Ukraine cannot be overestimated.4 Meanwhile, in a rare public announcement, the U.S. Central Command revealed that an Ohio- class submarine (560 feet long, 18,750 tons submerged and carrying as many as 154 Tomahawk cruise missiles) had arrived in the Middle East on November 5, 2023.5 Indeed, “the danger is great and growing,” as “any use of nuclear weapons would be catastrophic for humanity.”

A mineração de urânio em questão: análise da comunicação pública das Indústrias Nucleares do Brasil (INB) em Caetité, Bahia / Questioning uranium mining: an analysis of the public communication stated by Indústrias Nucleares do Brasil (INB) in Caetité, Bahia / La minería de uranio en cuestión: un análisis de la comunicación pública transmitida por la INB (Indústrias Nucleares do Brasil) en Caetité, Bahia

O objetivo deste artigo é discutir, através de análise de conteúdo, as estratégias de comunicação pública adotadas pelas Indústrias Nucleares do Brasil no 'Espaço INB', um centro de informações localizado na cidade baiana de Caetité, onde a empresa realiza a mineração e o beneficiamento de urânio. Desde que foram iniciadas, essas atividades levantaram inúmeras suspeitas de danos ambientais e problemas de saúde pública. Diante disso, buscamos compreender como a INB se posiciona diante dessas suspeitas e se relaciona com as populações atingidas por suas atividades. De acordo com nosso argumento, ao adotar uma postura que denominamos tecnoentusiasta e tecnocrática, a empresa dificulta um debate público aberto e descentralizado sobre as controvérsias em torno da mineração de urânio

This article aims to use the content analysis to discuss the public communication stated by the 'Espaço INB', an information center managed by Indústrias Nucleares do Brasil located in the city of Caetité ­ BA, where the company mines and processes uranium. Since INB started its activities in Caetité, several suspicions of environmental damage and public health problems emerged. Thus, we analyze how INB responds to these suspicions and relates to the populations affected by its activities. We argue that INB adopts an attitude that we call techno-enthusiastic and technocratic, hindering an open public and decentralized debate about the controversies surrounding uranium mining.

El objetivo de este artículo es discutir, a través del análisis de contenido, la comunicación pública transmitida por el 'Espaço INB', un centro de información administrado por Indústrias Nucleares do Brasil ubicado en la ciudad de Caetité/Bahia, donde la empresa hace la mínería y el procesamiento del uranio. Desde que comenzaron, estas actividades han generado numerosas sospechas de daños ambientales y problemas de salud pública. Por eso, analizamos como el INB contesta estas sospechas y se relaciona con las poblaciones afectadas por sus actividades. Argumentamos que el INB adopta una actitud que llamamos tecno-entusiasta y tecnocrática, lo que dificulta un debate público abierto y descentralizado sobre las controversias respecto a la minería de uranio.

Como melhorar as práticas de medicina nuclear em cardiologia nas economias emergentes: papel da Agência Internacional de Energia atômica / Improving nuclear medicine practices in cardiology in the emerging economies: role of the International Atomic Energy Agency

As doenças cardiovasculares (DCVs) representam 38% do total das doenças não transmissíveis (DNTs), seguidas de câncer com 27%. Os países de baixa e média renda (PBMRs) são particularmente afetados pelas DCVs, já que mais de 75% de todas as mortes por DCV ocorrem nesses países. Os dados prognósticos globais são alarmantes, pois estima-se que 23,6 milhões de pessoas morrerão por ano devido a DCVs até 2030. Por esse motivo, a Agenda de Desenvolvimento Sustentável das Nações Unidas, com seus Objetivos de Desenvolvimento Sustentável (ODSs), visa a reduzir a mortalidade precoce por DNT em 30% até 2030. Dentro da família das Nações Unidas, a Agência Internacional de Energia Atômica (AIEA) está encarregada de promover o uso seguro e pacífico das tecnologias nucleares. A AIEA está fortemente melhorando a qualidade da prática clínica, estabelecendo sistemas de gerenciamento de qualidade e aconselhando sobre como cumprir os padrões internacionais, além de usar a tecnologia de forma adequada e segura. Esta revisão abrangerá as atividades da AIEA para promover, implementar e apoiar aplicações nucleares em cardiologia em PBMRs empenhada em realizar a Agenda das Nações Unidas de 2030 e, através da Divisão de Saúde Humana, contribuir para o sucesso dos ODSs. Um dos principais objetivos da Divisão de Saúde Humana é apoiar os Estados Membros para enfrentar o ônus das DCVs através do seu subprograma de Medicina Nuclear e Diagnóstico por Imagem. Isto é conseguido apoiando o estabelecimento e o fortalecimento das capacidades dos Estados Membros para oferecer o uso apropriado e seguro de aplicações clínicas de cardiologia nuclear. O apoio consiste em ajudar os países nos estágios de planejamento e implementação, fornecendo treinamento, mantendo e

Single Low-Dose Radiation Induced Regulation of Keratinocyte Differentiation in Calcium-Induced HaCaT Cells

BACKGROUND: We are continually exposed to low-dose radiation (LDR) in the range 0.1 Gy from natural sources, medical devices, nuclear energy plants, and other industrial sources of ionizing radiation. There are three models for the biological mechanism of LDR: the linear no-threshold model, the hormetic model, and the threshold model. OBJECTIVE: We used keratinocytes as a model system to investigate the molecular genetic effects of LDR on epidermal cell differentiation. METHODS: To identify keratinocyte differentiation, we performed western blots using a specific antibody for involucrin, which is a precursor protein of the keratinocyte cornified envelope and a marker for keratinocyte terminal differentiation. We also performed quantitative polymerase chain reaction. We examined whether LDR induces changes in involucrin messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein levels in calcium-induced keratinocyte differentiation. RESULTS: Exposure of HaCaT cells to LDR (0.1 Gy) induced p21 expression. p21 is a key regulator that induces growth arrest and represses stemness, which accelerates keratinocyte differentiation. We correlated involucrin expression with keratinocyte differentiation, and examined the effects of LDR on involucrin levels and keratinocyte development. LDR significantly increased involucrin mRNA and protein levels during calcium-induced keratinocyte differentiation. CONCLUSION: These studies provide new evidence for the biological role of LDR, and identify the potential to utilize LDR to regulate or induce keratinocyte differentiation.

Tecnología nuclear: una historia de Catástrofes y progresos / Nuclear technology: a history of catastrophes and progresses

La presión científica alimentada por los diversos intereses geopolíticos de la primera mitad del siglo XX, fue sin duda el motor de impulso necesario para la investigación y el desarrollo de la tecnología nuclear. Una vez superada la crisis desencadenada por la Segunda Guerra Mundial, el conocimiento obtenido sobre los generadores atómicos aplicados a las necesidades civiles, no demoro en consolidar la energía nuclear como una opción futurista a la previsible escasez mundial de combustible. Es por eso, que el átomo se presento como una carta maestra para la seguridad, energía, economía, desarrollo y el cuidado ambiental. Sin embargo, pese a los controles para limitar su desarrollo como elemento militar, esta “panacea” no carece de generar dudas sobre su costo/beneficio. La historia relata algunos acontecimientos relacionados con dichos generadores, que han causado daños irreparables de manera inmediata y a largo plazo en el medio ambiente y en las poblaciones aledañas a aquellas estructuras. En el siguiente informe, se elabora una recopilación sobre el historial de eventos relacionados con el desarrollo de tecnología atómica, así como de la situación mundial de la energía nuclear...

Research and development of nuclear technology were done by a science under pressure of the geopolitical interests in the first half of the 20th century. Once the crisis triggered by the World War II passed, the knowledge gained about atomic generators applied to civilian needs, was able to quickly consolidate nuclear energy as a futuristic option for the global fuel shortage. At the same time, the atom was presented as a trump card for security, energetic, economic, and environmental development. However, despite the controls to limit its expansion as a military weapon, this “panacea” does not lack of doubts its costs versus its benefits. History can tell some events related to these generators, which have caused irreparable damage in their surrounding environment and nearby towns immediately and in a long term. In the following report, a review if the history of events related to the development of nuclear technology is made, as well as the overall situation of nuclear power worldwide...

Salud, energía, clima y contaminación: dónde estamos en agosto 2011 / Update of the subject of health, energy, climate and pollution in chile: august 2011

En continuación de la serie de artículos sobre el tema publicados en CMS, comenzando en 2005 (1-11), se presenta ahora una recopilación sistematizada de los episodios y verdaderas historias ocurridos hasta ahora en 2011. Ellos son: – sobre la energía nuclear, el desastre de Fukushima y las repercusiones en el mundo y en Chile; – sobre las fuentes contaminantes, la lluvia de anhídrido sulfuroso caída desde la fundición de cobre en Ventana sobre lo niñosde La Greda (Puchuncaví); – respecto a la emisión de gases de invernadero, la reanudación de las faenas para completar la central a carbón Campiche(Puchuncaví); y – la autorización otorgada a la Central proyectada en la Hacienda Castilla, que usará principalmente carbón; – la autorización al proyecto de HidroAysen, basado en cinco grandes represas en la Patagonia chilena. Se citan las pruebas crecientes del cambio climático debido a la emisión de gases de invernadero en el mundo y en Chile; y se mencionan los avances referentes a las fuentes de energía limpias y seguras, aun subutilizadas en Chile. Finalmente, se pone en evidencia la ausencia en nuestro país de una política de estado relativa a la energía y a su relación con el cambio climático y con la salud y la vida, ausencia que se manifiesta además en que Chile tiene los precios de electricidad másaltos de América Latina.

A series of papers have been published on the subject in Cuadernos, starting in 2005 (1-11). A systematic compilation of events in 2011 and until now, is here presented: – regarding nuclear energy, the characteristics of the disaster in Fukujima and its repercusions in the world and in Chile; – regarding polluting sources, the spray of SO2 fallen on the children of La Greda; – concerning the emisión of greenhouse gases, the permission granted for resumption of work on the large coal based electricplant at Campiche, and – the approval given to the huge coal based project in Hacienda Castilla (Atacama) – the authorization of HidroAysen project, consisting of five large dams in the South of Chile. Some of the latest manifestations of anthropogenic climate change in the world and in Chile are mentioned and, confronting those, the possibilities open for the immediate use of clean and safe sources of energy, which abound in Chile. The issue is raised of the absence, in our country, of a government policy for energy, that takes into consideration its relationshipswith climate change and with the consequent risks for health and life as well as with the excessive price paid for electricity in this country.

Study on the Compatibility for an Ir-192 Source Manufactured by Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute (KAERI) in GammaMed Brachytherapy Machine / 의학물리

The compatibility with GammaMed-12i brachytherapy machine for an Ir-192 encapsulated source (IRRS20, KAERI, Korea) manufactured by Korea atomic energy research institute (KAERI) has been investigated. As a mechanical testing of compatibility, precise measurement of step movement with channels, measurement of curvature of radius for wire, and emergency return testing were performed. Periodic measurements of air kerma strength for 45 days were carried out to evaluate decay characteristics of Ir-192 radioisotope and comparison of dose distributions in phantom between KAERI and old sources previously used were performed by film dosimetry. KAERI source has a good compatibility with GammaMed12i machine as a result of mechanical testing. There are in good agreement with calculated values in activity characteristics and there were small differences in dose distributions around the source in comparison between KAERI and old source.

Standardization of the Method of Measuring Average Glandular Dose (AGD) and Evaluation of the Breast Composition and Thickness for AGD / 의학물리

Breast cancer is the most common form of cancer among korean woman. Therefore, the early detection activities of breast cancer such as breast self-examinations, clinical breast examinations, mammography are important. A yearly mammography examination has been recommended for women aged 40 and older for the early detection of breast cancer in asymptomatic periods. However, the glandular tissue of breast is the most radiation-sensitive tissue, and the determination of average glandular dose (AGD) forms an important part of the quality control of the mammographic systems. Because of the difficulty of estimating AGD directly, it is often estimated from the measurements of the incident air kerma and by applying the appropriate conversion factors. The primary objective of this study was to standardize the method of measuring AGD. The secondary objective was to evaluate the relationships between AGD per various composition and thickness of the breast using Monte Carlo simulations. As a result, we standardized the method of measuring AGD according to International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) guidelines (CoP: an international code of practice). Overall, AGD for mammographic practice in Korea was less than 3.0 mGy recommended by the Korea Food and Drug Adminstration (KFDA) protocol, and Korean Institute for Accreditation of Medical Image (KIAMI). The measured and simulated AGD for a given condition were calculated as 1.7 and 1.6 mGy, respectively. For the AGDs obtained, there was no significant difference between them. The simulated AGD was dependent on the fraction of glandular tissue of the breast. The AGD increases with increasing of the breast glandularity due to increasing absorption of low energy photons. The AGD also increases as a function of breast thickness. In conclusion, the results of this study could be used as a baseline to establish a reference level of radiation dose in mammography.

Geração hidrelétrica, termelétrica e nuclear / Hydrelectric, thermelectric and nuclear energy generation

O artigo apresenta a situação da produção de energia elétrica no Brasil e expõe os problemas para a implementação de um novo modelo no setor energético e para a inclusão de termelétricas em um grande sistema hidrelétrico. Questões ambientais são consideradas, particularmente as emissões de gás de efeito estufa. Atenta ainda para a possível construção de novos reatores nucleares no Brasil e destaca a importância da conservação energética e do uso de fontes de energia renovável.

The situation of electric energy generation in Brazil is presented here, showing the problems in the implementation of the new model for the Power Sector, as well as in the inclusion of thermal plants in a very big hydroelectric system. Environment issues are considered, in particular the greenhouse gas emissions. The article pays attention to the possible construction of new nuclear reactors in Brazil. It is pointed out the importance of energy conservation and of using renewable energy sources.