MDU- CPAS GURUGRAM

AN ASSIGNMENT ON NATURAL AND MAN MADE DISASTER

TOPIC : SHORT NOTE ON NUCLEAR DISASTERS

SUBMITTED TO: SUBMITTED BY :

Dr. SUNIL DEVI GULSAN
Assistant Professor, ROLL NO. : 02mba20174

MDU-CPAS
 Nuclear and Radiological Disaster
Nuclear Disaster

A nuclear and radiation accident is defined by the International Atomic

Energy Agency as "an event that has led to significant consequences to
people, the environment or the facility. Examples include lethal effects to
individuals, large radioactivity release to the environment, or reactor core
melt."The prime example of a "major nuclear accident" is one in which a
reactor core is damaged and significant amounts of radiation are released,
such as in the Chernobyl Disaster in 1986. The impact of nuclear accidents
has been a topic of debate practically since the first nuclear reactors were
constructed. It has also been a key factor in public concern about nuclear
facilities.Some technical measures to reduce the risk of accidents or to
minimize the amount of radioactivity released to the environment have
been adopted. Despite the use of such measures, "there have been many
accidents with varying impacts as well near misses and incidents".

Information:

The growth in the application of nuclear science and technology in the

fields of power generation, medicine, industry, agriculture, research and
defence has led to an increase in the risk of occurrence of Nuclear and
Radiological emergencies.

India has traditionally been vulnerable to natural disasters on account of its

unique geo climatic conditions and it has, of late, like all other countries in
the world, become equally vulnerable to various man-made disasters.

Any radiation incident resulting in or having a potential to result in exposure

and/or contamination of the workers or the public in excess of the
respective permissible limits can lead to a nuclear/radiological emergency.

Sad memories of the use of nuclear weapons dropped on Hiroshima and

Nagasaki, and the wide publicity given to the reactor accidents at Three
Mile Island (TMI) in USA and Chernobyl in erstwhile USSR, have strongly
influenced the public perception of any nuclear emergency or disaster to be
most often linked, erroneously though, to only these events. Even though
such situations may not easily be repeated, one must be prepared to face
nuclear/radiological emergencies of lower magnitudes and ensure that the
impact of such an emergency (which,for a given magnitude, is likely to be
much greater today because of higher population densities coupled with an
enhanced urban infrastructure due to economic prosperity) is always kept
under control.

For improving the quality of life in society, India has embarked upon a large
programme of using nuclear energy for generation of electricity. As on date,
India has 17 power reactors and five research reactors in operation along
with six power reactors under construction. It is also planned to explore
setting up Thorium based reactors to meet its ever increasing energy
needs. Further, the country utilises adioisotopes in a variety of applications
in the non-power sector, viz., in the field of industry, agriculture, medicine,
research, etc. Due to the inherent safety culture, the best safety practices
and standards followed in these applications and effective regulation by the
Atomic Energy Regulatory Board, the radiation dose to which the persons
working in nuclear/radiation facilities are exposed to, is well within the
permissible limits and the risk of its impact on the public domain is very low.

However, nuclear emergencies can still arise due to factors beyond the
control of the operating agencies; e.g., human error, system failure,
sabotage, earthquake, cyclone, flood, etc. Such failures, even though of
very low probability, may lead to an on-site or off-site emergency. To
combat this, proper emergency preparedness plans must be in place so
that there is minimum avoidable loss of life, livelihood, property and impact
on the environment.

Do's and Dont's

The probability of a major accident at nuclear facilities leading to the
release of large quantities of radioactivity into the environment is always
ensured to be negligibly small. However, even in the event of a major
release into the environment, the prompt and effective implementation of
countermeasures can reduce the radiological consequences for the public.
Preparedness for Nuclear/Radiological Emergencies

The handling of nuclear emergencies requires coordination among different

service groups of the nuclear facility. In the event of potential radiological
consequences in the public domain, all the authorities at the three levels,
i.e., district, state and central, will play a vital role.

Major Responsibilities of Nuclear Power Plant Operators

This includes the arrangements required to promptly classify an

emergency, mitigate the emergency, notify and recommend protective
actions off the site consistent with international guidelines, protect those on
site, obtain off-site assistance, conduct environmental monitoring of the
affected area and assist off-site officials in keeping the public informed.

Major Responsibilities of Off-Site Officials

This includes the arrangements required to promptly implement protective

actions and countermeasures in the affected area.

Emergency Preparedness for Nuclear Power Plants :

Since the proper implementation of countermeasures can significantly

reduce the consequences of an emergency situation, it is mandatory for all
nuclear facilities that there must be a comprehensive emergency
preparedness plan. Prior to the issuance of a license for the operation of a
nuclear facility, the AERB ensures that the facility has the Emergency
Response Manuals for the three main types of emergencies, viz., plant, on-
site and off-site, and that the plans are in place to handle these types of
emergencies. The operators of nuclear facilities must make an assessment
of the type and quantum of release of radioactivity under various accident
conditions and the extent to which it can spread into the environment.
Handling a Plant Emergency :

When the radiological consequences of an abnormal situation are expected

to remain confined to the plant boundary or a section of the plant, it is
described as a plant emergency. Nuclear facilities in the country already
have the following provisions for the detection, classification, notification
and mitigation of any emergency situation:

Emergency operating procedures for the assessment of an emergency

condition and its mitigation.

Pre-identification of any facility-specific, abnormal situation for classification

of a plant and site emergency. \

Facility-specific, approved nuclear emergency response plans specifying

the jobs of all the functionaries who have assigned roles during the
emergency.

Alerting the plant personnel by sounding the emergency siren and making
an emergency announcement.

Adequate means for communicating a notification to the emergency

response organisations at the facility, the district and state authorities,
CMG of DAE and the central government authorities.

Identified assembly locations for plant personnel and casual visitors for
their accounting, and assessment of persons trapped in the radiological
areas.

Formation of rescue teams and activation of a treatment area and

decontamination centre.

Radiation survey around the plant and outside the plant and site
boundaries.

Assessment of wind speed, wind direction and the affected sector around
the nuclear facility.
Whenever required, the nuclear facility is able to mobilise the services of
the ambulance and paramedical staff at its site.

Equipment and materials for handling a nuclear emergency are kept at a

designated place of the nuclear facility and ERC.

Handling On-Site Emergencies :

An accidental release of radioactivity or the potential of release of activity

extending beyond the plant, but confined to the site boundary, constitutes a
site emergency condition. In addition to all the provisions applicable in a
plant emergency, the following additional provisions are ensured:

Extensive radiological survey for an assessment of the radiological

conditions within the site boundary of the nuclear facility.

Suitable prophylaxis to be made available at all assembly areas for

administration to plant personnel, in case the situation demands.

Identification of temporary shelters within the facility/site for shifting plant

personnel, in case required.

Provision of a fleet of vehicles for evacuation of plant personnel from the

site to a safer place.

Provision of fixed and portable contamination monitors to check

contaminated personnel/vehicles leaving the site.

On sensing the potential of release of radioactivity which can transgress

into the public domain, the concerned district authorities are alerted to be
on standby for emergency operations in the public domain.

Radiological monitoring of the environment in the EPZ (16 km radius

around the plant).
Handling Off-Site Emergencies :

On recognising the potential for an uncontrolled release of radioactivity into

the public domain, the concerned district authorities are alerted to be on
standby for emergency response operations. In addition to all the
provisions applicable in plant emergency and site emergency, the following
additional provisions are to be ensured for handling a nuclear emergency in
the public domain:

Pre-identification of plant conditions which can lead to an emergency in the

public domain.

An assessment of the radiological status at the site boundary and in the

public domain.

For handling of an off-site emergency condition in an NPP, there is an off-

site emergency committee headed by the district magistrate of the
concerned district and supported by the district subcommittee, which
include chiefs of all public service departments relevant to emergency
management in the district and also the Head of the Site Emergency
Committee of the nuclear facility for technical advice. This committee takes
decisions pertaining to the handling of a nuclear emergency outside the site
boundary and ensures implementation of countermeasures such as
sheltering, prophylaxis and evacuation and resettlement, including
maintenance of law and order and civil amenities. All the activities
pertaining to the handling of an off-site emergency are guided and
coordinated from a pre-designated emergency response centre located
outside the boundary of the nuclear facility. The information and
broadcasting department of the district, in association with an authorised
information officer, ensures the smooth flow of information to the media to
avoid panic and spreading of rumours.
DO's

Go indoors. Stay inside.

Switch on the radio/television and look out for public announcements from
your local authority.

Close doors/windows.

Cover all food, water and consume only such covered items.

If in the open, cover your face and body with a wet handkerchief, towel,
dhoti or sari. Return home, change/remove clothes. Have a complete wash
and use fresh clothing.

Extend full cooperation to local authorities and obey their instructions

completely -- be it for taking medication, evacuation, etc.

You must be aware of nuclear radiation hazard. Discuss on Nuclear

radiation safety among children and family members, to reduce their fear of
radiation.

Dont's

Do not panic.

Do not believe in rumours passed on by word of mouth from one person to

another.

Do not stay outside/or go outside.

As far as possible, AVOID water from open wells/ponds; exposed crops

and vegetables; food, water or milk from outside.

Do not disobey any instruction of the district or civil defence authorities who
would be doing their best to ensure the safety of you, your family and your
property.