It is reported that China and the IAEA have been working over the last 18 months to bolster the country´s security plan and minimize threats at the Summer Olympics, during 8-24 August, 2008 at Beijing. A radiological dimension was added to their existing security plans so that security for the Olympics is as comprehensive as possible.
The thrust of the IAEA´s work in Beijing is to help integrate radiological planning into existing security arrangements for police, intelligence community and bomb squads based in China. Through advisory missions and training exercises, the IAEA is assisting Chinese authorities with various aspects of radiation detection, physical protection, and emergency response. Efforts to enhance nuclear security arrangements for the Games are largely coordinated with the China Atomic Energy Authority (CAEA).
For several years now, the IAEA has provided specialized technical assistance and expert advice to countries who host major public international events. In addition to its work on the 2008 Summer Games, the IAEA has supported nuclear security measures for the 2004 Olympics in Greece, the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany, and the 2007 Pan American Games in Brazil.
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Friday, August 1, 2008
Avoid excessive mobile usage
In spite of repeated news appearing in World Wide Web and in newspapers, little attention is paid to the harmful effects of the radiation emitted by the mobile phones and the cell towers. One can see that the lifestyle change has resulted in usage of mobile phones by almost everybody (2 out of 4) and the children are fascinated by the mobiles. Parents give the mobiles in small children’s hand as a toy, and to school going children as a status symbol.
The radiation levels reported in one of the news papers, Mumbai Mirror, are quite high in many places in Mumbai city and needs urgent response from the government. The radiation dose received depends on the period of exposure. Less time you spend talking, lower is the dose received from the mobile.
A landmark research study carried out in US and Denmark into the use of handsets which may have major public health implications, showed health effects in the children whose mothers have used mobile phones when they were pregnant. The researchers surveyed 13,000 children and found that even less frequent usage was sufficient to increase the health risk to the children.
There is a need for strict regulation to ensure that the manufacturers of the mobile phones and the service providers maintain the radiation emission levels much lower than the stipulated standards. Base stations/towers near schools and crowded areas should be avoided. There should be a dedicated regulatory body for strict regulation of the mobile phone usage. The regulators should also look into the safety of erecting antenna on the residential building tops. The RF radiation levels should periodically monitored in city areas, and around schools. The readings should be displayed for public knowledge and for checking compliance with the set limits by regulators.
The radiation levels reported in one of the news papers, Mumbai Mirror, are quite high in many places in Mumbai city and needs urgent response from the government. The radiation dose received depends on the period of exposure. Less time you spend talking, lower is the dose received from the mobile.
A landmark research study carried out in US and Denmark into the use of handsets which may have major public health implications, showed health effects in the children whose mothers have used mobile phones when they were pregnant. The researchers surveyed 13,000 children and found that even less frequent usage was sufficient to increase the health risk to the children.
There is a need for strict regulation to ensure that the manufacturers of the mobile phones and the service providers maintain the radiation emission levels much lower than the stipulated standards. Base stations/towers near schools and crowded areas should be avoided. There should be a dedicated regulatory body for strict regulation of the mobile phone usage. The regulators should also look into the safety of erecting antenna on the residential building tops. The RF radiation levels should periodically monitored in city areas, and around schools. The readings should be displayed for public knowledge and for checking compliance with the set limits by regulators.
Saturday, July 12, 2008
38-Hour Simulation of Global Nuclear Accident Concludes: The exercise tests International Nuclear Emergency Response System
Over two days in July 2008, the IAEA emergency response team coordinated a test of international plans and systems for responding to a potentially serious radiological event. The 38-hour emergency exercise to a simulated accident at a nuclear power plant has successfully concluded. The exercise was coordinated by the IAEA in cooperation with 75 countries and 9 international organizations.
The simulated accident occurred at Mexico´s Laguna Verde nuclear power plant, a two-unit facility along the Gulf of Mexico coast. As the emergency drill progressed, the simulated accident escalated in severity, ultimately rated as a Level 5 "Accident with Wider Consequences" on the International Nuclear Event Scale (INES) because of its potential effects outside the plant site. The event challenged the readiness of nuclear safety, emergency operations, and communications mechanisms to respond to a theoretical radiological or nuclear mishap.
The exercise was a success in that it demonstrated strengths but also the weak points in the international emergency response system, said the IAEA´s Rafael Martincic, who led the preparation and evaluation of the Laguna Verde exercise. Only by identifying weaknesses can we improve the System´s response to large-scale radiological emergencies, he said. A previous simulative exercise took place in Romania in 2005.
The focus now is on evaluating the Laguna Verde exercise, to review findings and identify lessons learned that will further improve the international nuclear emergency response system.
The simulated accident occurred at Mexico´s Laguna Verde nuclear power plant, a two-unit facility along the Gulf of Mexico coast. As the emergency drill progressed, the simulated accident escalated in severity, ultimately rated as a Level 5 "Accident with Wider Consequences" on the International Nuclear Event Scale (INES) because of its potential effects outside the plant site. The event challenged the readiness of nuclear safety, emergency operations, and communications mechanisms to respond to a theoretical radiological or nuclear mishap.
The exercise was a success in that it demonstrated strengths but also the weak points in the international emergency response system, said the IAEA´s Rafael Martincic, who led the preparation and evaluation of the Laguna Verde exercise. Only by identifying weaknesses can we improve the System´s response to large-scale radiological emergencies, he said. A previous simulative exercise took place in Romania in 2005.
The focus now is on evaluating the Laguna Verde exercise, to review findings and identify lessons learned that will further improve the international nuclear emergency response system.
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
ICRP draft report for comments
A task Group was formed in November 2006 by the ICRP to develop guidance on the implementation of the new ICRP Recommendations on the principles of optimization of radiation protection in various states of emergency preparedness and response. A report was prepared on the applications of the Commission’s recommendations for the protection of populations in the emergency phase of a nuclear accident or radiological emergency.
The 63 page draft document entitled: Applications of the Commission’s Recommendations for the Protection of People in Emergency Exposure Situations in the ICRP website for public consultation. The document, which can be downloaded, discusses such issues as the setting and use of reference levels, optimization with respect to protective measures, and the interface with the rehabilitation phase following an emergency.
It is reported that ICRP would much appreciate the reader’s views on this draft report. To provide the comments, one can go the Consultation Comments page in the site. The last date for submitting the comments is Friday, August 8, 2008.
The 63 page draft document entitled: Applications of the Commission’s Recommendations for the Protection of People in Emergency Exposure Situations in the ICRP website for public consultation. The document, which can be downloaded, discusses such issues as the setting and use of reference levels, optimization with respect to protective measures, and the interface with the rehabilitation phase following an emergency.
It is reported that ICRP would much appreciate the reader’s views on this draft report. To provide the comments, one can go the Consultation Comments page in the site. The last date for submitting the comments is Friday, August 8, 2008.
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Radiation from mobile phones is harmful to children
One can see that the lifestyle change has resulted in usage of mobile phones by almost everybody (2 out of 4) and the children are fascinated by the mobiles. Parents give the mobiles in small children’s hand as a toy and to school going children as a status symbol.
In spite of repeated news appearing in World Wide Web and in newspapers, little attention is paid to the harmful effects of the radiation emitted by the mobile phones. No body wants to even know about it, neither the users nor the manufacturers.
A landmark research study carried out in US and Denmark into the use of handsets which may have major public health implications, showed health effects in the children whose mothers have used mobile phones when they were pregnant. The researchers surveyed 13,000 children and found that even less frequent usage was sufficient to increase the health risk to the children. These children developed hyperactivity, and difficulties with conduct, emotions and relationships. The health risk in children, below 7 years, using the mobile phone is much greater. Some children are more sensitive than others to the radiation emitted by mobile phones.
There is a need for strict regulation to ensure that the manufacturers of the mobile phones maintain the radiation emission levels of the mobiles much lower than the standards. Base stations near schools and crowded areas should be avoided. There should be a dedicated regulatory body for strict regulation of the mobile phone usage. The regulators should also look into the safety of erecting antenna on the residential building tops. The RF radiation levels should periodically monitored and the readings should be displayed for public knowledge and for checking compliance with the set limits by regulators.
In spite of repeated news appearing in World Wide Web and in newspapers, little attention is paid to the harmful effects of the radiation emitted by the mobile phones. No body wants to even know about it, neither the users nor the manufacturers.
A landmark research study carried out in US and Denmark into the use of handsets which may have major public health implications, showed health effects in the children whose mothers have used mobile phones when they were pregnant. The researchers surveyed 13,000 children and found that even less frequent usage was sufficient to increase the health risk to the children. These children developed hyperactivity, and difficulties with conduct, emotions and relationships. The health risk in children, below 7 years, using the mobile phone is much greater. Some children are more sensitive than others to the radiation emitted by mobile phones.
There is a need for strict regulation to ensure that the manufacturers of the mobile phones maintain the radiation emission levels of the mobiles much lower than the standards. Base stations near schools and crowded areas should be avoided. There should be a dedicated regulatory body for strict regulation of the mobile phone usage. The regulators should also look into the safety of erecting antenna on the residential building tops. The RF radiation levels should periodically monitored and the readings should be displayed for public knowledge and for checking compliance with the set limits by regulators.
Monday, May 12, 2008
Goiania’s radiation accident – down the memory lane
In 1987, a scrap yard in Goiânia suffered one of the worst accident involving a radioactive source. Two families live and work at the scrap yard in the Brazilian city. Plastic and metal scrap collected off the streets is sorted out for recycling. Scrap merchants sold a metal canister left at an abandoned medical clinic. It looked harmless but valuable. They had no idea that it contained a powerful radioactive source used to treat cancer. The equipment was opened and the glittering radioactive Caesium chloride powder was shown to the friends and relatives of the junk-yard owner. Small fractions of the powder were gifted as souvenirs.
Thus, unknowingly, the contamination became wide spread over two weeks period. 250 people were contaminated. Four died in the first month. The management of the accident generated 3000 cubic meters of radioactive waste, which was disposed off in near surface repositories on the outskirts of the city.
The incident brought global changes in radiation safety. Lessons drawn from the accident are still helping to shape actions on radiation safety and security decades later. Before the accident, the regulations were weak when it came to controlling radiation used in medicine and industry worldwide. There was no awareness that radioactive sources must be controlled from ´cradle to grave´, and to prevent the public accessing them. Since the accident, the gradual replacement of sealed sources containing the soluble, powdery form of cesium chloride has been considered. The task is not easy. The IAEA has been developing rigorous safety standards for dealing with orphaned sources of this kind in the metal recycling industry. .
Thus, unknowingly, the contamination became wide spread over two weeks period. 250 people were contaminated. Four died in the first month. The management of the accident generated 3000 cubic meters of radioactive waste, which was disposed off in near surface repositories on the outskirts of the city.
The incident brought global changes in radiation safety. Lessons drawn from the accident are still helping to shape actions on radiation safety and security decades later. Before the accident, the regulations were weak when it came to controlling radiation used in medicine and industry worldwide. There was no awareness that radioactive sources must be controlled from ´cradle to grave´, and to prevent the public accessing them. Since the accident, the gradual replacement of sealed sources containing the soluble, powdery form of cesium chloride has been considered. The task is not easy. The IAEA has been developing rigorous safety standards for dealing with orphaned sources of this kind in the metal recycling industry. .
Saturday, May 10, 2008
Fly-ash waste from thermal power plants
Coal-based thermal power plants burn train-loads of coal in a day and the percentage of ash generated is of the order of 35-40%. This waste needs disposal, and the target buyers are cement manufacturers and brick makers. The bricks made out of this fly-ash are cheaper as compared to the conventional bricks. The fly ash contains the naturally occurring radionuclides coming from uranium and thorium series of elements and Potassium-40. These radionuclides are present in the coal in parts per million (ppm) levels and get concentrated in the fly ash. A few hundreds of Becquerel (unit to express the quantity of radioactivity) of the radioactivity per kg of the material are likely to be present in the fly-ash.
One of the daughter products in uranium and thorium series is the gaseous radon isotopes. Being gaseous, the radionuclides diffuse out of the bricks/walls made out of the fly ash. These are emitting alpha radiation, and give dose to the lungs when goes inside the lungs as an air contaminant via inhalation route.
From radiation protection considerations, it is suggested that before fly-ash is used for commercial exploitation, an assessment of the materials is made for their radioactive content and the probable dose it is likely to give. If necessary, the material should be processed to remove the radioactivity content as much as possible. Clearance from the appropriate national authorities such as Atomic Energy Regulatory Board in India, may be required before large scale use of the “waste” fly-ash materials in cement or bricks used for construction of residential buildings.
One of the daughter products in uranium and thorium series is the gaseous radon isotopes. Being gaseous, the radionuclides diffuse out of the bricks/walls made out of the fly ash. These are emitting alpha radiation, and give dose to the lungs when goes inside the lungs as an air contaminant via inhalation route.
From radiation protection considerations, it is suggested that before fly-ash is used for commercial exploitation, an assessment of the materials is made for their radioactive content and the probable dose it is likely to give. If necessary, the material should be processed to remove the radioactivity content as much as possible. Clearance from the appropriate national authorities such as Atomic Energy Regulatory Board in India, may be required before large scale use of the “waste” fly-ash materials in cement or bricks used for construction of residential buildings.
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