AERB steps up efforts to educate safety aspects of nuke plants

The Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) has stepped up efforts to pursue a “develop-educate-regulate” approach to spread awareness among public and for enforcement of regulatory requirements.

An AERB official told Business Standard: “AERB, which is entrusted with the responsibility of developing and enforcing nuclear and radiation safety regulations in the country, has the mandate to keep the public informed on radiation and nuclear safety related matters. Public outreach is an essential element to build long-lasting trust and confidence with media and public.”

He said simplifying technical nuances of nuclear technology so that the uninitiated can understand is a challenging task. “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.”

The nuclear regulator’s move comes at a time when the anti-nuclear lobby and various NGOs are spearheading agitations against Kudankulam and Jaitapur projects, in particular, and the proposed capacity additions, in general. These bodies are also campaigns on the effects of radiation, especially from the 20 nuclear projects in the country.

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

AERB is establishing regional regulatory centres (RRC) for regulatory inspections at the northern, eastern and southern zones of India. The centres at eastern and southern zones have started functioning.

The official referred to the recently released bulletin for 2011-12, in which AERB has explained its participation in science and technology fairs to create awareness among school and college students and 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 help dispel several myths about the regulatory set-up and framework,” the official added.