Radiation technologies are commonly known for their use in diagnosis and treatment in the healthcare sector. At the same time, researchers and technical experts also use radiation sources to control pest populations, improve food safety, generate power, manage water resources and much more. As the applications of radiation technologies continue to grow, so too should the capacities to ensure the safety of those technologies.
Radiation safety is the measures taken for the protection of people against exposure to ionizing radiation or radioactive materials, and the safety of radiation sources. This also includes the means to prevent accidents from occurring and the steps taken to protect people from exposure in such occurrences.
For more than 30 years, the IAEA has supported the efforts of its Member States to strengthen their radiation safety infrastructures. The Agency aids the establishment and application of internationally agreed safety standards, by building human capacity through education events and fellowship training, and through the delivery of expert missions and the procurement of critical equipment.
Currently, more than 100 Member States receive direct assistance in the field of radiation safety, mostly through the IAEA’s technical cooperation (TC) programme, which combines the efforts of the Agency’s many technical departments. While much progress has been made in this field, there is still room for improvement.
This important matter was considered by senior international experts in radiation safety at a meeting convened at the IAEA in Vienna in May 2014, which resulted in the development of a new strategic approach to ‘Establishing and Strengthening National Infrastructure for Radiation, Transport and Waste Safety’. At the heart of this approach is an assessment of national needs and the development of a national strategy by each Member State.
This new strategic approach was presented at a briefing held on the margins of the 58th annual IAEA General Conference on 22 September 2014. The briefing was hosted by the IAEA Departments of Technical Cooperation and of Nuclear Safety and Security. Pil-Soo Hahn, Director of the IAEA Division of Radiation, Transport and Waste Safety, delivered the opening remarks and moderated the proceedings.
Denis Flory, IAEA Deputy Director General and Head of Department of Nuclear Safety and Security emphasized the importance of radiation safety during his introductory comments, and noted that this is a priority area for the IAEA. In his remarks, Kwaku Aning, Deputy Director General and Head of the Department of Technical Cooperation, complemented Mr. Flory’s statement by further underscoring the critical link between technology and safety.
“This is the world’s most powerful technology, but we have to use it in an appropriate manner,” stressed Mr. Aning.
Keynote speeches were given by Jose Galdemes, Minister of Natural Resources and Environment of Honduras; Noorul Ainur Mohd Nur, Secretary General of the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation of Malaysia; Grace Tsitsi Mutandiro, Ambassador of Zimbabwe to the IAEA; and Albinas Mastauskas, Director of the Radiation Protection Centre of Lithuania.
Minister Galdámez described the many lessons learned in Honduras while working to implement the requirements elaborated in the IAEA General Safety Requirements. Honduras joined the IAEA in 2003, at a time when the country had virtually no safety infrastructure. However, with the support of regional partners, international stakeholders and the IAEA, Honduras began participating in technical cooperation projects in 2004, which subsequently also led to the successful implementation of a legal framework for nuclear safety in Honduras by 2009.
Ambassador Mutandiro highlighted the critical importance of the safety and security measures that need to be stringently followed and monitored during the import and export of radioactive sources for peaceful purposes. He underlined that a country cannot receive radioactive sources through the TC programme unless the country meets the appropriate safety standards.
In his statement, Secretary General Nur reiterated that the success of the national radiation safety programme in Malaysia depended on the effective establishment of radiation safety levels, preparation for emergency situations and securing the necessary public support and acceptance.
The experiences relayed by the speakers demonstrated how countries from around the world can successfully address national challenges in ensuring radiation safety. This point was underscored by Mr. Mastauskas who said that progress has been made in the field of radiation safety in all four technical cooperation regions. This proves that with the appropriate resources and government commitment, a comprehensive radiation safety infrastructure is within the reach of even low- and middle-income countries.
Deputy Directors General Aning and Flory assured the side event participants that the IAEA is committed to assisting its Member States each step of the way. They also encouraged all Member States to seek support in their application of IAEA safety standards through the technical cooperation programme.