There are more micro pieces of plastic in the sea than stars in the Milky Way.

A simple new device that costs less than US$1 to make could help global efforts to reduce harmful air pollution caused by ammonia emissions, while improving access to food. The small plastic tool was designed by Brazilian scientists in collaboration with the IAEA and the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations (FAO). After isotopic techniques were used to test and confirm the tool’s accuracy, it is now being rolled out to help countries monitor and better manage ammonia emissions from agriculture, including the livestock industry.

The most recent integrated mission of the IAEA’s Programme of Action for Cancer Therapy, otherwise referred to as an imPACT Review, held in Burkina Faso last month, marks the 100th such Review to be delivered by the IAEA and its partners to help countries increase access to cancer care. imPACT Reviews, conducted jointly by the IAEA and the World Health Organization and the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), examine a country’s readiness to provide cancer services, and provide recommendations which can be used in the formulation of a national cancer control programme.

A review service assessing emergency preparedness for nuclear and radiological emergencies in countries around the world is 20 years old this year. It continues to generate interest from Member States, who invite IAEA experts and other peers to assess their preparedness and response plans.

In 1997, a radiological accident in Lilo, Georgia resulted in the exposure of 11 people to high doses of radiation over an extended period of time. The exposed persons developed severe radiation induced skin injuries. Upon request, the IAEA provided assistance to Georgia and all of the 11 people received medical treatment. However, the health of one of them, referred to as “Patient 3CG” to protect his identity, highly deteriorated in 2016. Upon a new request for assistance by Georgia, with support from the Government of France, facilitated by the IAEA earlier this year, Patient 3CG received follow-up medical treatment which has significantly improved his quality of life.

The IAEA has released its latest projections for energy, electricity and nuclear power trends through 2050. The annual report offers a mixed estimate of nuclear power’s future contribution to global electricity generation, depending in part on whether significant new capacity can be added to offset potential reactor retirements.

Iran needs to cooperate with the IAEA fully and in a timely fashion, IAEA Acting Director General Cornel Feruta told the Agency’s Board of Governors today. Mr Feruta, who held talks with senior Iranian officials in Tehran on Sunday,  said: “It is important to advance our interactions and, therefore, I also stressed the need for Iran to respond promptly to Agency questions related to the completeness of Iran’s safeguards declarations.” In his opening statement to a regular session of the 35-nation Board, he added: “The Agency will continue its efforts and will remain actively engaged. Time is of the essence.”

The governments of Argentina, Burkina Faso, Romania and Slovakia have submitted candidates for IAEA Director General to the Agency’s Board of Governors. Argentina has nominated Mr Rafael Mariano Grossi. Burkina Faso has nominated Mr Lassina Zerbo. Romania has nominated Mr Cornel Feruţă. Slovakia has nominated Ms Marta Žiaková. 

Farmers in Africa will soon benefit from new sorghum varieties resistant to Striga — also known as witchweed — one of the most devasting parasitic weeds that impact crop yields on the continent. Improved sorghum lines with resistance to Striga have been developed using gamma ray irradiation, with the support of the IAEA and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). “This important achievement is of great significance, especially as we prepare for the International Year of Plant Health 2020,” said Qu Liang, Director of the FAO/IAEA Division of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture.

With 58 nuclear power reactors producing nearly 72% of France’s electricity in 2018, France is one of the countries with the highest share of nuclear power in its energy production. Along with this energy, however, France’s nuclear fleet is also responsible for producing a significant amount of spent fuel and radioactive waste.