AERB steps up efforts to educate regulation, safety of nuclear plants

Ongoing agitation against nuclear capacity addition triggered the move

Nuclear regulator Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) has stepped up its efforts to pursue "develop-educate-regulate" approach with respect to enforcement of regulatory requirements and and undertake awareness programmes for the user community.

AERB's move is crucial especially when anti-nuclear lobby and various NGOs are spearheading agitations against Kudankulam and Jaitapur projects in particular and the proposed capacity addition in general. These bodies are also campaigning against radiation effects especially from the existing 20 nuclear projects.

"AERB, which is entrusted with the responsibility of developing and enforcing nuclear and radiation safety regulations in the country, has mandate to keep public informed on radiation and nuclear safety related matters. Public outreach is an essential element to build a long lasting trust and confidence with media and public, at large. But that's nod the end of it.

AERB realises that public communication in matters related to safety aspects of high end technologies such as nuclear energy, together with the philosophy of radiation protection is not so simple and easy," AERB official told Business Standard. He informed that to simplify the technical nuances and retain the basic essence that can be easily grasped by an uninitiated persons is a challenging task.

There are 20 nuclear power plants with installed generation capacity of 4,780 MW. Liquid and gaseous waste discharge from these plants continued to remain only a small fraction of the allowable discharge limits. The effective dose to public due to the radioactive discharges were estimated to be far less than the annual limit of 1 mSv (1000 micro-Sievert) prescribed by AERB.

Besides, there are well over 50,000 diagnostic X-ray units/facilities in India.The radiation hazards involved in such facilities are very low, to cause any unacceptable health risks. AERB is also establishing Regional Regulatory Centres (RRC) to cater to the requirements of regulatory inspections at the Northern, Eastern and Southern zones in India. The centres at
eastern and southern zones have already started functioning.

The official referred to recently released its bulletin for 2011-12 in which AERB has explained its participation in science and technology fairs with an objective of creating awareness among the school and college children and general public on the nitty gritty of nuclear and radiation safety aspects, the robustness of regulatory regime and the basis of regulatory decision making process. "Such interactive meetings helps dispel several myths about the regulatory set up and framework," the official said.