Claims that Energy Resources of Australia Ltd (ERA) workers who were directly exposed to yellow cake (Uranium oxide) were working under a safe radiation exposure levels are misleading according to the Public Health Association of Australia.

“If reported comments by ERA spokesperson David Peterson are correct then he is seriously misleading his workers and the public on the safety risks involved in uranium mining”, said Clive Rosewarne PHAA spokesperson.

“There is no known safe limit for exposure to ionising radiation; all exposures above natural background levels carry a risk to human health.  Current radiation exposure levels are based on risk estimates of increased cancers or genetic abnormalities. They are not absolute safety levels as Mr Peterson’s reported comments would indicate.”

“They are in effect a trade off of increased risk to uranium workers versus productive output”.

“The internationally accepted view is that there is no known lower limit where exposure to radiation becomes safe”.

“Mr Peterson should be in a position to know this and should be making accurate statements, particularly concerning people’s health after an accident of this nature."