Homer Simpson a nuclear symbol? Watchdogs concerned.

Radioactive waste makes headlines this week, as federal watchdogs and Lake Ontario Waterkeeper question the transparency, independence of Canada's nuclear programs:

Canadians uninformed about nuclear waste
"Even usually well informed Canadians know next to nothing about nuclear waste, don't trust their governments with the problem and hold anti-nuclear attitudes largely shaped by shows like The Simpsons," says the Nuclear Waste Management Organization.

"Asked what contributed to their attitudes about nuclear waste, participants referred to The Simpson's TV program (Homer Simpson works in a nuclear power plant) or films like China Syndrome (a radioactive core meltdown plunging through the Earth) and Erin Brockovich (corporate deceit about environmental damage.)"

LOK raises questions over radioactive waste assessments
Lake Ontario Waterkeeper petitioned Natural Resources Canada this week, regarding radioactive waste environmental assessments, and the Port Hope Project in particular.

The Port Hope Project concerns the remediation and management of sites containing low-level radioactive waste located within the Town of Port Hope and within the former Hope Township.

LOK's petition, submitted through the office of the Commissioner of Environment and Sustainable Development, raises issues of independence, credibility, and points out possible oversights in the Port Hope project.

AECL accused of hiding nuclear waste concerns
Atomic Energy of Canada, Ltd. is exaggerating supposed national security dangers to justify hiding environmental concerns at the country's main nuclear research labs, says the federal nuclear watchdog.

The suppressed material included details about the levels of radioactive contaminants in the soil and underground water draining into the Ottawa River. Also concealed was previously public information about serious radioactive contamination at the labs, including work with plutonium which could be used by terrorists for so-called "dirty bombs."

• Canadians called "uninformed" about nuclear waste
• LOK petitions Natural Resources Canada regarding Port Hope Project and radioactive waste assessments
• AECL accused of hiding nuclear waste concerns