1 hr ago
UCIL Chief Rejects Health Risks From Jharkhand Uranium Mining
People living near uranium mines in Jharkhand have raised concerns about illnesses and radiation.
Some local groups say mining may be linked to diseases and birth defects.
UCIL chief Kacham Anand Rao says the illnesses are caused by local conditions, not the mines.
He says earlier studies found no connection and that the uranium ore is low grade.
UCIL plans to arrange a new health study.
Rao said it may be hard to find an organisation with the right expertise.
Some UCIL workers also said they had not experienced health problems from their work.
A Bhabha Atomic Research Centre official said worker radiation doses were below the yearly limit.
UCIL chief Kacham Anand Rao rejected claims that uranium mining in Jharkhand causes nearby health problems.
Rao cited earlier studies and the ore’s low uranium content to argue that operations pose little health risk.
Local groups and social rights activists have alleged that radiation is linked to cancer, skin diseases and congenital deformities.
UCIL says it will conduct a fresh health-impact study, although Rao said finding a qualified agency is difficult.
A Bhabha Atomic Research Centre official said studies found worker radiation doses below the annual limit of 20 millisieverts.
- Who
- UCIL chief Kacham Anand Rao, local groups and social rights activists, and officials and workers connected with uranium operations.
- What
- Rao rejected claims that uranium mining causes local health problems; UCIL plans a fresh health-impact study.
- Where
- Jadugora and the Singhbhum region of Jharkhand, India.
- When
- Rao made the remarks on October 6; uranium mining at Jadugora began in 1964.
- Why
- Rao said the illnesses are due to local conditions rather than uranium operations; local groups and activists have alleged a link to radiation.
UCIL and cited officials
Local groups and activists
Whether mining causes illness
UCIL and cited officials
Rao said uranium operations are not responsible for reported skin diseases, cancer or congenital deformities, citing earlier studies and local conditions as explanations.
Local groups and activists
Local groups and social rights activists have alleged that radiation from mines and mills is causing illnesses, including cancer, tuberculosis and congenital deformities.
Radiation safety
UCIL and cited officials
Rao said radiation levels are low, and a Bhabha Atomic Research Centre official said worker doses were below the annual limit.
Local groups and activists
Activists continue to raise concerns that radiation from mining and milling affects surrounding areas.
Key facts
- Company
- Uranium Corporation of India Limited (UCIL)
- UCIL chief
- Kacham Anand Rao
- Mines in Jharkhand
- UCIL operates seven: six underground mines and one open-pit mine.
- Jadugora mine began
- 1964
- Ore grade claim
- Rao said 200–300 grams of uranium are extracted per tonne of ore.
- Worker dose limit
- The report gives an annual limit of 20 millisieverts.
- Planned study
- UCIL says it will conduct a fresh study on health impacts.
Quotes
Kacham Anand Rao
UCIL chairman-cum-managing director
“Whatever skin disease or cancer is being attributed by some people is not due to uranium mines. They are because of local conditions and backwardness of the area. At least 10 scientific studies have been conducted by different organisations, which have proved that there is no link between uranium operations and the diseases found in the area.”
theprint.in
“We will shortly conduct a fresh study so that local people are convinced that nothing harmful is being caused by the UCIL operations.”
theprint.in
Sources
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