IAEA Talk

Nuclear Desalination

Tue, 08 Jun 2010 18:14:38 +0200

As water scarcity increases worldwide, several countries are considering desalination - a process which turns seawater into freshwater. Such projects can be powered using nuclear energy and the IAEA operates a programme that offers Member States support in the field of nuclear desalination. Louise Potterton speaks to the IAEA´s Ibrahim Khamis.

Trafficking in Nuclear Material

Wed, 31 Mar 2010 15:05:05 +0200

Established in 1995, the Illicit Trafficking Data Base (ITDB) is the IAEA´s information system on incidents of illicit trafficking and other unauthorized activities and events involving nuclear and radioactive materials. The ITDB is a unique asset helping participating States and selected international organisations in combating illicit nuclear trafficking and strengthening nuclear security. Louise Potterton speaks to George Moore, a senior analyst in the IAEA´s Office of Nuclear Security, which is responsible for the database.

Training IAEA Inspectors

Wed, 24 Feb 2010 14:18:48 +0100

170 states have entered into safeguards agreements with the IAEA, submitting nuclear materials, facilities and activities to the scrutiny of the IAEA´s safeguards inspectors. These inspectors have to undertake an intensive three-month course before venturing into the field. Louise Potterton spoke to the IAEA´s Therese Renis who conducts part of the course.

Toxic Playpens: Children and Lead Pollution

Tue, 29 Sep 2009 15:51:14 +0200

An estimated 120 million people worldwide are exposed to lead in the environment. And dangerous levels of lead poisoning are found in children in some 80 countries, including the Caribbean island of Jamaica. Sasha Henriques speaks with victims of lead poisoning as well as scientists at the International Centre for Environmental and Nuclear Sciences and at the IAEA about the issue.

Deep Geological Disposal

Fri, 18 Sep 2009 10:23:49 +0200

Thirty countries around the world currently operate over 430 nuclear reactors. But there is still no system in place for the permanent disposal of the spent nuclear fuel, which is generated by the nuclear power plants and is highly radioactive. According to the IAEA deep disposal in stable geological formations is the only sustainable way to safely manage the high-level waste and the Agency supports international projects and operates a multi-national network of underground research laboratories, where research into deep geological disposal is carried out. Some countries, including Sweden, France, and Finland have decided to move forward with this option and have found a location for a future repository. Louise Potterton speaks to Peter Wikberg, the Research Director for Safety and Science at the Swedish Nuclear Fuel and Waste Management Company.

The work of PACT in Tanzania

Thu, 17 Sep 2009 10:22:47 +0200

Cancer is on the increase in Tanzania where it is estimated that around 35,000 cancer cases occur each year. But this African country with a population of 38 million has only one cancer treatment centre - the Ocean Road Cancer Institute. The IAEA´s Programme of Action for Cancer Therapy, or PACT, is working closely with this centre to help Tanzania establish a comprehensive cancer control programme. Louise Potterton speaks to Professor Twalib Ngoma, Executive Director of the Cancer Institute.

Nuclear Science and Technology in Africa

Thu, 17 Sep 2009 10:19:27 +0200

For 20 years, an intergovernmental agreement supported by the IAEA has contributed to foster nuclear science and technology for African development. Louise Potterton speaks to the outgoing chairperson of the agreement - known as AFRA - Professor Evelyne Mbede of Tanzania.

Energy for Development - 2009 Scientific Forum

Tue, 15 Sep 2009 10:16:04 +0200

Energy for Development was the topic of the IAEA´s 2009 Scientific Forum. This two-day event, which coincides with the annual General Conference, brought together energy experts, economists and climate change specialists from around the world to debate this issue. Louise Potterton speaks to the Chair of the Scientific Forum, Dr. Srikumar Banerjee, Director of the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai, India.

Protecting the Marine Environment

Tue, 25 Aug 2009 17:37:42 +0200

Monaco is the home of the rich and famous, the pink palace, the Monte Carlo Casino and also the location of the IAEA’s Marine Environment Laboratories (MEL) - the only marine laboratory in the UN system. Louise Potterton speaks to Maria Betti, Director of the IAEA’s Marine Environment Laboratories in Monaco.

Combatting Wheat Rust

Tue, 05 May 2009 13:08:46 +0200

A new strain of wheat rust - known as Ug99 - is decimating wheat fields worldwide. But help could be at hand in the form of nuclear science. The Joint Division of the IAEA and the UN´s Food and Agriculture Organization has brought together experts from around the world to develop Ug99 resistant wheat varieties by using radiation to induce mutations in seeds. Louise Potterton spoke to one of the experts, William Wagoire from Uganda, who first detected the new strain.

Searching for Pollution in the Caribbean

Tue, 28 Apr 2009 15:37:19 +0200

The IAEA is using nuclear technologies to track and study coastal pollution in 12 Caribbean countries. Louise Potterton speaks to Joan Albert Sanchez-Cabeza, the head of the Radiometrics Laboratory at the IAEA's marine laboratories in Monaco and Technical Officer for this project.

Getting Nuclear Power Started

Wed, 15 Apr 2009 10:47:12 +0200

Interview with Hans Holger Rogner, Head of the IAEA´s Planning and Economic Studies Section within the Department of Nuclear Energy.

Addressing Concerns About Food Irradiation's Safety

Thu, 19 Mar 2009 08:57:34 +0100

David Byron, Head of the IAEA´s Food and Environment Protection Section, talks to Sasha Henriques about the use of irradiation to protect people from food-borne illnesses caused by harmful micro-organisms.

Tsetse Flies and Sterile Insect Technique

Tue, 17 Mar 2009 16:17:12 +0100

Scientists at the IAEA are working on programmes to control the deadly tsetse fly in Africa using a nuclear technology. The fly is the carrier of the parasite that causes a wasting disease in livestock and sleeping sickness in humans - a disease that can lead to death if untreated. Louise Potterton speaks to IAEA entomologist and tsetse fly expert, Udo Feldmann.

Radiotherapy for Paediatric Cancer

Wed, 04 Mar 2009 11:18:44 +0100

Dr Raul Ribeiro is professor in paediatrics and Director of the International Outreach Program at St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, USA. Here, he talks to Angela Leuker about the challenges of treating childhood cancer in low-income countries and how a new IAEA-coordinated initiative is developing improved strategies by optimising radiotherapy for paediatric cancer.

IAEA and Cancer Control

Wed, 04 Feb 2009 13:08:35 +0100

Latest figures from the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) show that by 2010 cancer will have overtaken cardiovascular disease to become the world’s number one killer. Louise Potterton speaks to IAEA Deputy Director General and Head of Department of Nuclear Sciences and Applications, Werner Burkart, about the IAEA’s cancer-related activities.

Nuclear Science in Food Security

Mon, 08 Dec 2008 10:17:46 +0100

The IAEA is calling for increased investment in a plant breeding technique that could pull millions of people out of the hunger and poverty trap. Louise Potterton speaks to Pierre Lagoda, the head of the IAEA's Plant Breeding and Genetics Section.

Fighting Cancer in Developing Countries

Wed, 05 Nov 2008 10:08:35 +0100

The IAEA has been assisting developing countries in the field of cancer management for over 30 years. But in 2004 the Agency realised there was a need for a more comprehensive approach to cancer control and launched its Programme of Action for Cancer Therapy (PACT). Building on the IAEA’s expertise in radiation medicine, PACT works closely with leading, international organisations to raise awareness of cancer and raise funds to combat the disease in developing countries. Louise Potterton spoke to Massoud Samiei, PACT’s programme manager.

Addressing Global Shortage of Radiation Sources and Isotopes

Tue, 04 Nov 2008 11:24:53 +0100

Ed Bradley, a nuclear engineer from the IAEA Research Reactors Group, explains to Giovanni Verlini how the IAEA is contributing to avert a potential global medical emergency by helping research reactor operators run their facilities safely and reliably.

IAEA General Conference Opens in Vienna

Tue, 30 Sep 2008 09:49:15 +0200

The 52nd annual IAEA General Conference opened 29 September 2008 in Vienna, Austria with high level delegates and representatives from the Agency's 145 Member States in attendance. The 5-day conference will discuss major issues facing the Agency, and approve its programme and budget for the coming year. Mr. David Waller, IAEA Deputy Director General for Management outlines the expectations.

Protecting Those Who Heal

Fri, 29 Aug 2008 15:08:05 +0200

Operating theatres can be dangerous workplaces for heart surgeons and other medical personnel. Giovanni Verlini speaks to Professor Eliseo Vano, from the Radiology Department of the Complutense University of Madrid.

Birth Control for Mosquitos

Mon, 11 Aug 2008 14:03:20 +0200

Entomologists at the IAEA are hard at work on a project to control malaria-transmitting mosquitoes in Africa. Louise Potterton speaks to Mark Benedict, who is in charge of the programme.

Olive Fruit Flies

Mon, 30 Jun 2008 09:41:14 +0200

The olive - consumed by millions around the globe - is under attack. Louise Potterton examines how scientists at the Joint Divison of the IAEA and the UN´s Food and Agriculture Organisation are using nuclear technologies to develop techniques to combat the Olive Fruit Fly.

Safe Shipment of Radioactive Materials

Thu, 26 Jun 2008 13:56:30 +0200

With widespread use in medicine, industry, and nuclear applications, the safe transport of radioactive materials is an important issue. Dana Sacchetti discusses the topic of shipment of radioactive materials with Jack Edlow, a leading expert in the field.

"Orphaned" Radioactive Sources

Mon, 16 Jun 2008 14:04:25 +0200

In too many countries, radioactive material is not controlled as well as it should be. It´s turned up in bank vaults, been recycled into handbag clasps, and, in a few instances, stolen. This episode of IAEA talk looks at the problem of so-called "orphaned" radioactive sources.

Nuclear Safety

Wed, 07 May 2008 11:53:03 +0200

A discussion about issues related to nuclear safety with United States Nuclear Regulatory Chairman Dr. Dale E. Klein.

Screw Worm Fly in Yemen

Wed, 30 Apr 2008 14:32:47 +0200

An outbreak of the insidious 'screw worm' fly in Yemen, is threatening livelihoods, in a country where rearing livestock is a traditional way of life. In recent weeks, a Ministerial delegation was at the IAEA in Vienna, Austria, to turn to the international community for emergency assistance to fight the deadly pest.

Climate Change

Fri, 25 Apr 2008 14:12:36 +0200

The world needs to act now to avert catastrophic consequences for the earth’s climate, explains Dr. Rajendra Pachauri, Chairman of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, a body that was awarded the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize.

Nuclear Waste

Thu, 24 Apr 2008 14:15:11 +0200

Nuclear power is on the rise again. But what will happen to the fuel destined to power a new generation of nuclear plants once it becomes exhausted? Hans Forsström, Director of the IAEA’s Division of Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Waste Technology, looks at the closing of the fuel cycle.

Plant Breeding and Food Security

Wed, 09 Apr 2008 14:20:26 +0200

An interview with Plant Breeding Unit Head Chikelu Mba, who discusses the IAEA´s work to help ensure security of food supplies through plant breeding techniques.

Human Resources in the Nuclear Power Industry

Thu, 27 Mar 2008 14:21:30 +0100

Is the nuclear energy industry facing a brain drain? IAEA nuclear knowledge management head Yanko Yanev discusses the human resources issue.

World Water Day 2008

Wed, 19 Mar 2008 14:22:18 +0100

Pradeep Aggarwal, Head of the IAEA´s water resources programme, discusses the importance of sanitation and how the IAEA applies scientific techniques to address global water challenges.