China - accident rate

[P van Rooyen <rooyen@aib-vincotte.nl>]

Found at:

http://www.chinaonline.com/industry/energy/currentnews/secure/B200082214.asp

===================================

China suffers 10 radioactive accidents in first
five months of this year 

(23 August 2000) 

Though details remain unclear, China has
encountered a grave number of "radiation accidents."

According to the Ministry of Health, China experienced 10
radiation accidents in the first five months of this year alone.

Seven of these incidents involved the theft or loss of
radioactive materials, while the other three concerned
overdoses of radiation, the August issue of Zhongguo
Weisheng (China Health) reported.

According to an official with the Ministry of Health, between
1994 and 1999, there were 159 reported radiation accidents in
China, or an average of 25 to 30 per year. 

The number of accidents declined somewhat in 1995 and 1996 but then
apparently increased again in 1997 and 1998.

The official also said, "Statistics show that China's radiation
accidents are more than 10 times as numerous as those in
the United States."

=============================================

Paul van Rooijen
Manager HSE
AIB-Vinçotte Nederland BV
Postbus 6869, 4802 HW Breda
The Netherlands

tel	++31 (0) 76 579 11 54
fax	++31 (0) 76 587 47 60 
e-mail	rooyen@aib-vincotte.nl



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