Measures to face radiological emergencies

Manjari PEIRIS

COLOMBO: Measures should be taken to face radiological emergencies, said Science and Technology Minister Prof. Tissa Vitarana.

“India, our closest neighbour is having nuclear power plants for electricity generation. India is in the process of trying to set up two more plants which are about 200 kilometres from Sri lanka and the Southern territory.

India now has worked out an arrangement with the US to ensure that India is supplied with radioactive material and the other requirements for peaceful application of nuclear energy. It is getting 3% of its energy needs from nuclear sources. They plan to increase it considerably in the period ahead.

On the other hand developed countries are engaged in nuclear arms testing. A nuclear war is also a possibility.

As such we have to be prepared for radiological emergencies to protect our people,” he said.

The Minister was inaugurating the three day national workshop on Radiological Emergency Preparedness jointly organised by the Atomic Energy Authority and Disaster Management Centre held at the Sri Lanka Foundation Institute recently.

‘We have heard about nuclear accidents at Chernobyl and Three Mile Island and it is vital that precautionary measures are taken in this regard. Our medical officers, police, armed forces; media personnel have to be educated on how to respond in such a situation.”

Sri Lanka itself does not have any nuclear power plants. As such the chances of a disaster situation being generated from within the country are not great.

We are using radioactive materials both in diagnosis and in treatment and also in investigative procedures through the Atomic Energy Authority and the various help and other agencies providing services to our people.

There can be improper disposal of radioactive material and hazards which will be of a much localised nature which would perhaps risk small population groups. So we have to be alert to this and take adequate preventive measures in our use of radioactive material.

We have to ensure all those who work with these radioactive materials are properly trained and disciplined; then carry out the safety precautions which both the International Atomic Energy Authority as well as our Atomic Energy Authority prescribes. If so we can avoid any disaster occurring locally.

Countries that are resorting to useful use of nuclear energy have had problems. Even in countries which have the necessary skills and trained personnel and high technology, disasters occur. The world is facing an energy crisis.

Even the life is not possible without adequate sources of power. Nuclear energy provides a relatively cheap source of power barring the initial expenditure which is high in the installation.

The Minister requested the resource persons at the workshop with varying types of expertise that are relevant to this problem to pool their resources, knowledge and expertise and try to work out a total action plan that will meet any disaster eventuality that may arise.

The Chairman, Atomic Energy Authority Dr. Wimaladharma Abeyewickreme said the Disaster Management Centre had assigned the responsibility of early notification of a nuclear disaster, to the Atomic Energy Authority.

“The Authority with the assistance of the International Atomic Energy Agency would take all measures to improve infrastructure to be ready for any nuclear disaster,” he said.