New fortuitous materials for luminescence dosimetry following radiological emergencies

The effective management of radiological emergencies where members of the public not carrying conventional dosimeter have been exposed to doses of ionising radiation requires individual dose estimates to support medical triage. Biological and physical methods have been developed to address this issue. New materials and techniques have been sought to reinforce preparedness for such emergencies. Alternative materials, such as clothing, shoes, paper, plastic items, nail polish or banknotes were investigated using thermoluminescence (TL) and optically stimulated luminescence (OSL). Most of the materials and fabric tested exhibited either no detectable response to dose using luminescence technique, or a weak response yielding detection limits above 2 Gy, with the exceptions of a blue polyester fabric responding to infra-red stimulated luminescence (IRSL) and some types of polymer-based fabric that were found to have luminescence favourable characteristics for short - term dosimetry and particularly those containing mineral fillers. The most promising were fabrics containing calcium carbonate fillers, where the TL response to β radiations was measured with a detection limit as low as 4 mGy, and a relatively low native signal in the region of interest (≤ 200 °C). The fading was found to be slower for samples stored at -15 °C compared with samples stored at ambient temperature. A blind test was carried out and confirmed the potential of bags containing calcium carbonate fillers to provide reliable dose estimate for radiological triage. Furthermore, the TL signal of calcium carbonate fillers contained in the fabric of bags offers several advantages for accident dosimetry compared with other methods, such as a rapid dose assessment, the low cost value of the material and availability, and the possibility to map radiological doses is the fabric covers sufficient surface

Bill C-31: Limited Access to Refugee Determination and Protection

This article deals with the effect of the proposed Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (Bill C-31) on access to Canada’s refugee determination system and its pre-removal risk-assessment procedures. The author examines public statements about government plans for increased overseas interdiction of refugee claimants, provisions that expand the definition of persons ineligible to have their claims heard by the Immigration and Refugee Board (particularly those concerning “serious criminality”), and the proposed new system for pre-removal risk assessment. His conclusion is that, should these proposals come into effect, fewer people will have access to refugee and other protection in Canada.Cet article se penche sur les conséquences qu’aurait la proposition de loi concernant l’immigration et l’asile (projet de loi C-31) sur l’accès au système de détermination du statut de réfugié au Canada et les procédures d’évaluation des risques avant le renvoi qu’elle contient. L’auteur examine les déclarations publiques concernant les plans du gouvernement pour accroître le nombre d’interdictions de demandeurs d’asile à l’étranger, pour étendre la définition de personnes dont les demandes sont considérées irrecevables pour être entendues par la Commission de l’immigration et du statut de réfugié — tout particulièrement celle concernant « la criminalité grave » — et le système préconisé d’évaluation des risques avant le renvoi. Sa conclusion est que si ces propositions sont adoptées, moins de personnes auront accès à l’asile au Canada

So Many Refusals: Northern/Southern Perspectives on Current Issues of Refugee Protection

This paper provides a general overview of the global situation regarding refugees. Specifically, the paper focuses on current trends affecting refugees, and the responses of the developed and developing worlds to those issues. Restrictive measures in the north, designed to limit the numbers of asylum seekers in developed countries, correspond with a decrease in security for refugees in the south. It is suggested that there are clear linkages between the two situations.Cet article fournit un aperçu général de la situation globale des réfugiés. Plus particulièrement, on y analyse les tendances fondamentales qui affectent les réfugiés, et les réponses apportées par le monde développé et le monde en développement à ces questions. Les mesures restrictives au Nord, conçues pour limiter le nombre de demandeurs d'asile dans les pays développés, sont concomitantes à un net déclin des conditions de sécurité pour les réfugiés au Sud. Il est avancé ici qu'un lien certain est à établir entre ces deux situations.