K.S.Parthasarathy
Date:15/10/2009 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/thehindu/seta/2009/10/15/stories/2009101550201400.htm Back Sci Tech
Nuclear power: myths, realities
Nuclear power suffered because of accidents. But no one abandoned it because of accidents
The impact of water used as coolant may extend up to about 500 metres from the discharge point
The doses to members of the public are too small and well within the AERB limit
The speakers at a well attended side event at the recently held International Conference on Peaceful Uses of Atomic Energy at Delhi (September 29-October 1) recommended a proactive, public awareness programme on issues related to energy, particularly nuclear energy.
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Department of Atomic Energy and Indian Nuclear Society jointly organized the meeting.
Nuclear power seems to be an “unloved” industry, not because it is faulty. Mired in controversy, myths about nuclear power survive; the realities are unknown to many.
Nuclear power suffered because of accidents. But no one abandoned it because of accidents at Three Mile Island (1979) and Chernobyl (1986).
U.S. electric companies connected 50 out of the currently operating 104 nuclear power reactors since 1979; nineteen of these after 1986. Canadian companies connected all the 14 operating nuclear power reactors to the grid after 1979. Of the fifty nine French reactors, 53 came on line after 1979.
Some European nations decided to phase out nuclear power. Since they are substitutes for fossil power stations (which are implicated in global warning), these nations are decisively moving away from their “phase out” decision.
Recently, “National Alliance of Anti-nuclear Movements (NAAM)” claimed that the nuclear plant at Kudankulam would lead to pollution in the near shore areas, affecting fish stocks. They alleged that this would impact on the health of fish-eating people in Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Sri Lanka (The Hindu, October 3). These allegations have no scientific basis. Pollution of sea shore is another myth!
Fish catch potential during 1994-98, in the Kalpakkam zone indicated variations. Central Marine and Fisheries Research Institute, Cochin, concluded that these variations are mere statistical variations with seasons.
The impact of water used to cool nuclear power reactors is limited to a mixing zone which may extend up to about 500 metres from the discharge point.
India has been operating nuclear power stations since 1969.
The Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) permits stations to release radioactivity up to certain prescribed limits. The scientists at the Environmental Survey Laboratory (ESL) outside each station use state-of-the-art methods to measure radioactivity in samples of air, water, soil, sediments and foodstuffs and look for trends, if any.
The doses to members of the public are too small and well within the AERB limit. They are within the variation of natural background radiation present everywhere even in the absence of the power station.
The radiation dose due to Kudankulam reactors will also be similar. An activist alleged that these reactors would trigger cancer and genetic disorders in the area (The Hindu, Oct, 3). This is a preposterous allegation.
The claim that iodine-131 released from Kalpakkam nuclear power station into sea and air is causing thyroid cancer in the area in another myth.
The release of iodine to sea is virtually zero. During 1983-2008, the annual releases into air were zero to 1.29 per cent of the AERB limit. The doses due to this were too trivial to cause cancer.
The Iodine-131 activity, if any, released from the station will get deposited on grass. It will appear promptly in goats’ thyroid. ESL scientists routinely measure iodine-131 from goats’ thyroid, an easily available sample.
They detected iodine-131 activities only twice, in 1976 during the aftermath of Chinese nuclear tests in the atmosphere and in 1986 shortly after the accident at the Chernobyl nuclear power station.
“The ESL Kalpakkam had found after the nuclear accident at Chernobyl in April 1986 that the incidence of thyroid related diseases in goats had registered an increase as a result of feeding on grass laced with Iodine-131”.
An activist wrote in a Chennai daily on October 18, 2008 (NUCLEAR FREE INDIA, December 2008).Obviously, he mistook why ESL scientists collect goats’ thyroid samples!
According to an activist, the scientific community was yet to come up with a safe nuclear waste management system (The Hindu Oct, 3). Another myth!
Nuclear wastes are managed safely. There is scientific consensus on safe management of high level nuclear waste; but that problem is mired in politics.
If you want nuclear power to thrive, dispel the myths, reveal the realities!
( ksparth@yahoo.co.uk )
K.S. PARTHASARATHY
FORMER SECRETARY, AERB
1 comment:
Lot of Myths are created in people due to lack of Radiological Awareness among the people by right people at right time.Political overview of Indian Politicians particularly local leader create havoc of Nuclear Energy,Nuclear Terror,Nuclear Accident etc.Lack ofNuclear and Radiolgical Environmental Ethics also play role in spread of PROBLEM OF MYTHS than Realities.
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