Monazite sand does not cause excess cancer incidence

The long awaited study on the cancer incidence among populations living in the high background radiation areas of Kerala has been published in the January 2009 issue of the Health Physics. The study showed that monazite sand does not cause excess cance incidence.

Dr K.S.Parthasarathy







Date:01/01/2009 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/thehindu/seta/2009/01/01/stories/2009010150131600.htm Back Sci Tech



Monazite sand does not cause excess cancer incidence






— Photo: C. Suresh Kumar

Cancer risk: The study found that there is no excess cancer risk to people living in the area of high natural background radiation in Kerala.

Now it is official. In the January 2009 issue of the Health Physics Journal, researchers from the Regional Cancer Centre (RCC), Thiruvananthapuram, and their collaborators have shown that there is no excess cancer risk to people living in the area of high natural background radiation in Kerala from exposure to terrestrial gamma radiation.

The Journal highlighted the importance of the paper by carrying a photo of the beaches in its cover page.
Gamma radiation

The coastal belt of Karunagappally, Kerala, is known for high background radiation (HBR) from thorium-containing monazite sand.

In the coastal panchayats, the median outdoor gamma radiation levels are more than 4 mGy y{+-}{+1} and in certain locations, the levels are as high as 70mGy y {+-}{+1}.(Gy is a unit of radiation dose; mGy is one thousandth of a Gy; the annual gamma radiation level in normal locations is on an average one mGy).

During 1990-97, survey teams collected data on 359,619 subjects in 71,674 households using a standardised questionnaire which covered socio-demographic factors, lifestyle, dietary habits and tobacco and alcohol use.
Follow up study

Based on radiation level measurements, by a method perfected by scientists of the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, they chose a radiation sub cohort consisting of 173,067 residents and analysed the cancer incidence in the sub cohort, aged 30 to 84y (N=69958 followed up for 10.5 years).

They estimated the cumulative radiation dose to each individual in the age group based on the radiation doses received indoors and outdoors and taking into account how long and where they stayed during the period.

By the end of 2005, they identified 1379 cases of cancer including 30 cases of leukaemia.

The results

Statistical analysis of the data showed no excess cancer risk from exposure to terrestrial gamma radiation.

In site-specific analysis, they did not find any cancer site or leukaemia to be significantly related to cumulative radiation dose.

“Although the statistical power of the study might not be adequate due to the low dose, our cancer incidence study, together with previously reported cancer mortality studies in the HBR area of Yangjiang, China suggests it is unlikely that estimates of risk at low doses are substantially greater than currently believed,” the researchers concluded.

It appears that the researchers were in a hurry to publish the paper. They did not use the complete data but selected four coastal panchayats (Chavara, Neendakara, Panmana and Alappad) which had HBR and two control areas (Oachira and Thevalakkara) which have relatively low natural radiation levels.

They estimated the excess risk as -0.13 Gy{+-}{+1} (95 per cent confidence limit:-0.58, 0.46). The authors pointed out that the upper limit of 95 per cent confidence limit was lower than 0.97, which other researchers got for pooled analysis for nuclear workers from 15 countries (BMJ, 2005) and slightly lower than 0.47 Gy{+-}{+1} reported in the study of atomic bomb survivors in Hiroshima and Nagasaki (Radiation Research, 2007)

Authors highlighted some unique features of their data. Unlike the nuclear workers study, RCC study included smoking habits, an important contributing factor. The estimate of atomic bomb survivors is a sex-averaged estimate for solid cancer unlike the RCC study. The currently accepted radiation risk estimate is mostly based on atomic bomb survivor study.

Regrettably, the researchers did not estimate the substantial contribution of airborne radon and thoron daughters to the individual radiation dose. This may not affect the main conclusion that there is no excess cancer in areas of high natural background radiation.
The limitations

Though the analysis limited to six panchayats cannot be faulted scientifically, they should use complete data including internal dose from all panchayats for a reanalysis to do justice to the project and to examine whether precise radiation risk estimate can be arrived at from this study

Highlighting the negative radiation risk coefficient of -0.13 Gy{+-}{+1}, proponents of those who believe in the beneficial effects of radiation (hormesis theory) may argue that low level radiation is helping to lower cancer risks!

They may not agree that lack of statistical power may be the reason for the negative result.

K.S. PARTHASARATHY
FORMER SECRETARY, AERB

ksparth@yahoo.co.uk

© Copyright 2000 - 2008 The Hindu

Cancer risk not high in radiation workers

The latest issue of the British Journal of Cancer published an epidemiological study of radiation workers in the United Kingdom. It showed that cancer risks to radiation workers increase with dose; the magnitude of the risk estimates are consistent with international consensus. The study will not have any impact on the standards recommended for radiological protection.
Dr.K.S.Parthasarathy


Date:05/02/2009 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/thehindu/seta/2009/02/05/stories/2009020550011300.htm Back Sci Tech

Cancer risk not high for radiation workers

Radiation doses to workers in various professions studied

Cancer incidence among 1,74,541 workers studied

A study published in the latest issue of the British Journal of Cancer (BJC, Vol.100, 2009) by the researchers at the UK Health Protection Agency (HPA) concluded that the risk of developing cancer among radiation workers increases with the dose of ionizing radiation they are exposed to.

This study and the latest research on cancer risks to populations residing in high background radiation areas in Kerala reported in the January 2009 issue of the Health Physics Journal (The Hindu, Jan 1, 2009) are reassuring.

The results of these studies will have no impact on radiological practices, as the observed cancer risks are consistent with the international scientific consensus on radiation protection.

The dose limits to workers are based on such consensus.

The UK study is the third analysis of deaths and cancer incidence among 1,74,541 radiation workers whose occupational histories are maintained in the National Registry for Radiation Workers from 1976. The present study relative to earlier analyses had longer follow-up (to 2001) and cancer registration data and gives more precise information on the risks of occupational radiation exposure. The registry covers virtually all radiation workers from all the main organizations involved in nuclear and related research and industrial sectors in the UK

“This is a continuation of a study started in 1976 and it provides reliable information on the health of people working with ionizing radiation.

The results confirm the cancer risk estimates observed in other studies even though, overall, radiation workers have lower cancer risks than the general population” an HPA release quoted Dr Colin Muirhead from the Health Protection Agency and the lead author of the paper.

This indicates the so called “healthy worker effect”. Usually, workers exhibit overall death rates lower than those of the general population due to the fact that the severely ill and disabled are ordinarily excluded from employment (biology-online.org October 2005).

Scientists who believe in the beneficial effects of radiation may argue that this is an indication of hormesis, a view which will be stoutly rejected by mainstream specialists.

Within the cohort, death from and incidence of both leukaemia excluding chronic myeloid leukaemia and the groupings of all cancers excluding leukaemia (CLL) increased to a statistically significant extent with increasing radiation dose (BJC, January 2009).

It is known that radiation does not induce CLL. The trend in risk was similar to those for the Japanese A-bomb survivors.

The researchers noted that some evidence of an increasing trend with dose in mortality from all circulatory diseases may, at least partly, be due to smoking, a known confounding factor.

So far, specialists have studied the health effects of ionizing radiation on over fifty groups of about two million persons; but the estimates of the long-term health risks from radiation are based largely on studies of the survivors of the atomic bombings at Hiroshima and Nagasaki and of groups exposed for medical reasons.

The dose rates in these instances were high and other exposure conditions were also not similar to those faced by radiation workers.

Radiation workers get exposed to low doses of radiation at relatively low rates.

The UK study is ideal as it represented the typical radiation doses to workers in various professions.

Data collected from employers consist of individual identifiers, factors such as date of birth, gender and industrial classification, and radiation dose histories (BJC, January 2009).

“Continued follow-up of these workers will be valuable in determining whether radiation-associated risks vary over time or by age, and enables the study of specific cancers and causes of death in more detail” HPA argued in a release (HPA release January 7).

In a separate paper in the same issue of the BJC, researchers at the Childhood Cancer Research Group at the University of Oxford and the Health Protection Agency have shown that their study does not support an earlier finding of a raised risk of cancer in children of female radiation workers.

In a subgroup of women who worked with radiation during pregnancy, a weak statistical association was found between maternal radiation work and childhood cancer, but the evidence is limited by the small numbers involved and the result may be due to chance (BJC release January 7, 2009)

Let us hope that HPA does not suffer any resource crunch which may adversely impact on such research.

K. S.PARTHASARATHY
FORMER SECRETARY, AERB

ksparth@yahoo.co.uk

© Copyright 2000 - 2008 The Hindu

Angiography: CT not as effective as conventional

Angiography: CT not as effective as conventional

There is no conclusive evidence that CT angiography is life-saving

Every physician who advertises CT angiography points out that it is painless and takes less time

Risks from radiation exposure are significant when radiation is used for mass screening

Whole-body CT scanning technology fell by the wayside thanks to the uncompromising stand of professional associations and regulatory agencies which highlighted its dangers. But some specialists widely practise cardiac CT tests such as calcium scoring and CT angiography though independent assessments have not proved their effectiveness.

During conventional angiography, the physician threads a thin catheter through the groin artery into the heart, injects a contrast medium and takes x-ray pictures.

These pictures show whether narrowing or blockages in the artery impede the flow of blood. For those with severe blockage, the options are angioplasties possibly with insertion of stents or bypass surgeries.
Risk of bleeding

During cardiac catheterization, there is some risk of bleeding, and a tiny risk for major complications, such as heart attack, stroke, even death.

Every physician who advertises CT angiography points out that it is painless, takes less time and is an attractive option. According to the New York Times, more than 1,000 cardiologists and hospitals installed CT scanners in the U.S. There is undeniable financial incentive to order too many of these tests.
A comparison

The owners argue that the test is cheap, at about $600, paid for by insurers as against $ 4,000 for a cardiac catheterization done at their local hospital.

However, there is no conclusive evidence that CT angiography leads to treatment that saves lives (Health Affairs, Nov/Dec 2008). Conventional angiography remains the gold standard.

Risks from radiation exposure, though small to an individual, are significant when radiation is used for mass screening. There was broad consensus that radiation exposure from CT is of concern.

In India, certain private hospitals advertise CT angiography as very beneficial; none of them refers to radiation risks. Everyone praises the technology. A private hospital used a letter from a member of the faculty of a premier medical research centre to substantiate correlation between CT angiography and conventional angiography!

I sought his reaction to this crude anecdotal approach.

“I routinely write letters to people who have done investigation and what I have done was just to let them know what was the outcome.

“I did not think in my wildest dream that they will utilise it to advertise my letter. I was not aware of it. They are commercial organisations and medicine in a private hospital has become good money making art/business,” he responded to my e-mail.

Pro-screening physicians formed the Screening for Heart Attack Prevention and Education (SHAPE) task force. They want non-invasive imaging of all asymptomatic men (aged 45-75 years) and women (55-75years) except those at very low risk (Archives of Internal Medicine, May 26, 2008).

Evidence of the effectiveness of this recommendation is scanty. These specialists propose the existence of “vulnerable plaques.” The difficulty is that CT cannot identify them.
No clinical utility

“I do not think ‘vulnerable plaque’ has been shown to have any clinical utility,” Dr. Rita Redberg, Professor of Medicine at University of California, San Francisco, responded when I sought her views on promotion of CT by the Indian private hospitals and the SHAPE guidelines.

CT angiography is not as effective as conventional angiography. Those knowledgeable in the field must take the lead in exposing the tendency of hospitals to exploit the “worried well.”

K.S. PARTHASARATHY, FORMER SECRETARY, AERB

KSPARTH@YAHOO.CO.

© Copyright 2000 - 2008 The Hindu

Story of uranium

Story of uranium
K.S. Parthasarathy
AT the tender age of 15 years, Martin Klaproth dropped out of school. He could not pay his fees. He learnt chemistry from the work benches as an apprentice under an apothecary. He struggled for long hours "in the cramped and unhealthy conditions and the tedium of preparing the raw materials and maintaining the hardware for the crushing, grinding, mixing, boiling and distilling that made up his daily routine".
Later, Martin opened his own business. He could spend more time to do research in analytical chemistry. He analysed all types of materials from various countries. He extracted a new element from a piece of rock, some mine-owner gave him. He called it uranium. He announced the discovery at a meeting of the Royal Prussian Academy of Sciences, Berlin, on September 24, 1789.
Uranium remained virtually useless for several decades; small amounts of uranium added to glass before melting gave the glass a pale-yellowish green hue. Some glass specimens contained up to 25 per cent uranium! Geiger counters screamed when it faced the glass surface.
In 1896, Henri Becquerel discovered that uranium is radioactive .In 1934, Enrico Fermi and his coworkers demonstrated beta activity when they bombarded uranium with neutrons. In 1938, Otto Hahn and Leise Meitner discovered nuclear fission and release of fission neutrons.
On December 2, 1942, Fermi and his team achieved the first self-sustaining nuclear chain reaction in a pile of 400 tons of graphite, six tons of uranium metal and 58 tons of uranium oxide, at the University of Chicago. It produced 0.5 watt of thermal power!
Scientists realised the full potential of uranium when they could design, construct and operate nuclear power reactors 168 years after Klaproth discovered it.
India's tryst with uranium started in 1937 when an English man discovered its presence with copper mineral at Mosabani area. There was apparently no followup on this till late 40s.
Dr Homi Bhabha, the architect of nuclear India, knew the value of uranium. "It must be clearly understood that the possession of sufficient quantities of uranium is a sine qua non for the generation of atomic energy….. So far, no large and concentrated deposits of uranium-bearing minerals have been found in India,……It is essential, therefore, that our immediate programme should include an extensive and intense search for sources of uranium. These geological surveys would take at least two years if carried out in any careful and exhaustive way, and it is possible that their result may be negative. In that case India would either have to depend on an agreement with a foreign power for the purchase of her uranium or go in for the much more costly process of extracting uranium from monazite", Dr Bhabha wrote to Pandit Nehru on April 26, 1948.
Dr Bhabha informed Nehru that the Geological Survey of India under Dr. M.S.Krishnan was organizing surveys for thorium and uranium. He insisted that to ensure secrecy, these surveys should be organised directly under the Atomic Energy Commission and Dr. Krishnan "should be allocated full time to this work"
According to Dr K.S. Koppiker, formerly Head, Uranium and Rare Earth Division, BARC, Indian scientists set up in 1949, the first uranium laboratory in Pedder road, Mumbai, at the residence of Dr Bhabha, where Kenilworth building stands today.
Their neighbours complained that they could not suffer the unbearable releases of acid fumes from the laboratory. In July 1954, scientists shifted the lab to an abandoned godown owned by the Bombay Dyeing Company near Siddhi Vinayak Temple.
Uranium is present in trace quantities in soil, rock, water etc. Typical concentration in soil is about 3 ppm (milligramme per kilo gramme).
(K.S. Parthasarathy is Raja Ramanna Fellow, Department of Atomic Energy)

They blazed a trail

The Prime Minister gave away lifetime achievement awards for science and technology for the year 2007 to four scientists while inaugurating the Bhabha centenary celebrations. I wrote the following article about these pioneers in the PTI Feature

Dr K.S.Parthasarathy




19 November 2008


They blazed a trail
By Dr K S Parthasarathy

On 30th October 2008, the Prime Minster, Dr Manmohan Singh, through a video conference from New Delhi, addressed a gathering at Bhabha Atomic Research Centre and launched the birth Centenary Celebration of Dr Homi Bhabha. He honoured Govind Swarup, Suresh L. Kati, S. R. Paranjpe and H.S.Kamath, four distinguished scientists with Lifetime Achievement Awards for the year 2007. The awards, instituted for the first time, consisted of Rs. 10 lakhs each and citations.
Prof. Govind Swarup is conferred the award for "his international recognition and outstanding contributions in the field of radio astronomy and for building ingenious radio telescopes for front line research".
Swarup constructed a 530 m long and 30 m wide parabolic, cylindrical radio telescope of an innovative design at Ooty in South India. Using the method of lunar occultation, it provided for the first time, high-resolution angular data for more than one thousand weak radio sources and independent evidence for the Big Bang model.
In his book Bhabha and his magnificent obsessions, G.Venkataraman described in his inimitable style, the story of the Ooty radio telescope, as told by Swarup.
The idea for the radio telescope came to Swarup in a flash in June 1963 while reading two papers in Nature within two months of his joining the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research. In August 1963, Bhabha grilled him for a couple of hours and gave him the go ahead for the project.
In January 1965, they chose a site for the telescope at Ooty. "Although the Collector of Nilgiris wondered why we were in such a hurry when the life of a star is billions of years, Bhabha got a prompt response from R Venkataraman, then Minister of industries in Tamil Nadu [later to become the President of India]". He allotted the site and electrical connections in a few months.
During 1987-1996, Swarup was principally responsible for the design and construction of the Giant Meter-wave Radio Telescope (GMRT) in Western India. It is the largest radio telescope in the world operating in the frequency range of about 100-1430 MHz. Hundreds of radio astronomers from India and 22 countries use it.
Shri Suresh Kati provided leadership to master the Pressurised Heavy Water Reactor Technology program and to bring it to commercial level in the country despite innumerable constraints.
Kati and his team designed the reactors at the Narora Atomic Power Station which incorporates the best of the safety features to meet international standards. The design of Narora reactors is the standard for 220MWe reactors in the country. He was the Executive Director of the Group which developed the 500 MWe plant which also required many novel systems to be designed and tested prior to their construction.
"The excellent performance of Indian PHWRs is the result of his original contributions in design and is an overwhelming matter of pride for the nation", the citation added.
Kati has strong views on the choice of nuclear technology for India. In the June 2008 issue of the Nuclear Engineering International, he argued that heavy water moderated organic cooled reactors (HWOCR) are the best choice for India as they cost less to construct.
"A 220 MWe PHWR when converted to function as an HWOCR will have a capacity of 270-280 MWe", he asserted.
Shri H. S. Kamath, BARC, Mumbai got recognition for "his outstanding contributions, particularly in the area of Plutonium fuels technology development programs of the Department of Atomic Energy over the last three decades".
During the early eighties, he handled the responsibility to build the Advanced Fuel Fabrication Facility [AFFF] to fabricate MOX fuel for Tarapur Atomic Power Station [TAPS]. "He played a key role in the plant’s conceptual lay out, its detailed engineering, erection of equipment and machinery, safety clearances and commissioning of the plant".
The MOX plant at Tarapur presently fabricates the fuel for Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor [PFBR-500] under construction at Kalpakkam. Kamath and his team at BARC, Trombay manufactured the unique mixed carbide fuel for the Fast Breeder Test Reactor [FBTR] at Kalpakkam; it received international attention due to its excellent performance.
Kamath along with his team is responsible for fabricating fuels for special purpose research reactors and strategic applications. "He is also an acknowledged expert in safety, security and safeguard issues related to special nuclear material", the citation noted.
Shri S.R.Paranjpe contributed significantly to the Fast Reactor Technology programme of the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE). He led the Indian team for the Design and construction of Fast Breeder Test Reactor (FBTR).
Realizing that the steam-generator is a critical component for the success of fast reactor programme, he incorporated them in FBTR. He proposed the use of high plutonium carbide, a unique fuel which saw a burn-up of 155 GWd/t without any failure- a unique feat for any carbide fuel in the world.
He was the architect of the Project report of the first design of the Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR). "He built up and nurtured a brilliant team of engineers who designed the PFBR, and have the capability to take on the challenges of advanced breeder reactor designs required for the energy security of India".
"Shri Paranjpe is a multifaceted personality, one who practices what he preaches, a brilliant bridge player and a committed believer in Homeopathy", his long time colleague S K Chande, Vice Chairman, Atomic Energy Regulatory Board reminded me.
Why did these exceptionally brilliant persons choose science and technology for a career, leaving greener pastures behind?
"When I graduated, I could not appear for the Indian Railway Service Commission’s examination, I was under aged; later, I appeared and got selected….I got a Class I post in Central Railway. Just before that I had joined the DAE, I chose DAE as it was a new field and that it would be more challenging. I never regretted the decision". Kati confided
The story was similar for many outstanding persons who joined the DAE. (PTI Feature)

Travails from cobalt-60 contaminated steel

THE HINDU

Date:13/11/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/thehindu/seta/2008/11/13/stories/2008111350171700.htm Back Sci Tech

Travails from cobalt-60 contaminated steel

Contamination of steel is occurring in many countries

On October 22, AFP reported that some French factory workers were exposed to excessive levels of radiation, as they handled lift buttons made using unsafe material contaminated with cobalt-60 from India.

The French Nuclear Safety Authority estimated that 20 out of the 30 workers were exposed to doses ranging from one to three millisievert. The annual dose limit for non-radiation workers is one millisievert, the same as that for the members of the publ ic.

France’s Institute of Radioprotection rightly assured that the health risk to workers is low.
Nuclear event ratings

The French Nuclear Safety Authority rated the incident at Level 2 in the International Nuclear Event Scale (INES) of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). INES rates nuclear events on a scale of 0 (incident with no safety risk) to 7 (major accident). Events at Levels 1-3 are called “incidents”; Events from 4-7 are termed as “accidents”.

Steel items imported from India to Sweden have also been reported to show faint traces of radioactivity.

The Swedish Radiation Safety Authority considered the levels of cobalt-60 harmless and the components had not been recalled.

Scientists from the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board are investigating the incident.

A few contamination incidents occurred earlier. In 2004, low levels of radioactivity were detected in some of the steel door handles made by another Indian firm.

In this instance, the investigation has shown that it is likely that the manufacturer made door handles out of steel produced in a foundry where imported or domestic metal scrap containing cobalt-60 has been used.

Considering this as a wake up call AERB initiated several preventive measures. AERB has prepared an inventory of all radioactive sources in the country. The inventory is updated periodically.
AERB requirements

AERB allows anyone to handle sources only after ensuring that he/she is adequately trained. AERB requires that the licensees secure the sources adequately in their locations. The probability of an indigenous radioactive source getting into scrap is very low.

AERB officials held meetings with steel manufacturers, All India Induction Furnaces Association, and Engineering Export Promotion Council.

The Board had a series of five workshops with companies carrying out industrial gamma radiography in the country.

The Board advised steel foundry and mill owners to regularly check the scrap for radioactivity by using radiation detection instruments.

Suitable radiation detection instruments are available indigenously or can be imported. Obviously, some companies did not implement AERB’s advice.

Contamination of steel is occurring in many countries. As it happened in U.S.,those Indian companies which suffered are keen to check the scrap with radiation detection instruments.
Slow progress

There were plans to set up radiation monitors at shipping ports through which bulk of the imported scrap metals enter the country. Though the discussions on this programme got started several years ago, the progress has been very slow.

The programme requires coordination from several Central ministries.

Many DAE Installations have been successfully maintaining such radiation monitors at their entry points for the past several decades.

K.S. PARTHASARATHY

Former Secretary, AERB

( ksparth@yahoo.co.uk )

Advances in stem cell research

The following article is a brief review of some of the recent developments in stem cell research.
K.S.Parthasarathy

PTI FEATURE
HEALTH
PF-175/2008
VOL NO XXIV (44) November 1, 2008

Advances in stem cell research
By Dr.K.S.Parthasarathy

Scientists have developed techniques to generate stem cells in vitro. It provides invaluable opportunities to study human embryology.
Stem cells are “blank slate” cells which can divide and renew over long periods. They can develop into a specialized cell, tissue or organ. They can serve as a sort of repair system for the body. Past few years have seen unbelievable advancements in the field of stem cell research.
Medical specialists believe that stem cells have unlimited potential which can be used to return memory to Alzheimer’s patients, to enable wheel-chair bound patients to walk or to replace damaged skin of patients. The possibility of such miracle cures lies in tweaking the cells to develop into desired types.
Recently, researchers grew prostate glands in mice by using a single stem cell transplanted from the prostates of donor mice. The findings may pave the way to new therapies for prostate cancer (Scientific American, October 22, 2008). Stem cells are capable of dividing indefinitely. Cancer cells multiply uncontrollably. So it is reasonable to assume that stem cells may have a role in the induction of cancer.

Dr K.S.Parthasarathy is former Secretary, Atomic Energy Regulatory Board
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The researchers Wei-Qiang Gao and his colleagues from Genetech, a Californian biotechnology firm reported their success in identifying stem cells in mouse prostates in the British Journal Nature on October 22 this year. They transplanted a stem cell below the kidney in laboratory reared mice and found 14 functioning prostates from out of the 97 single cell transplants.
Scientists have developed techniques to generate stem cells in vitro. It provides invaluable opportunities to study human embryology.

A report by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) and the Institute of Civil Society (ICS) noted that human stem cell research holds enormous potential for contributing to our understanding of fundamental human biology. Although it may not be able to predict the outcomes from basic research, such studies will offer the real possibility to treat and cure many diseases for which adequate therapies do not exist.

“This research raises ethical and policy concerns, but these are not unique to stem cell research”, the report argued.

The report pleaded that public must be educated and informed about the ethical and policy issues raised by stem cell research and its applications. “Informed public discussion of these issues should be based on an understanding of the science associated with stem cell research, and it should involve a broad cross-section of society” the authors continued.

The report asserted that Federal funding for stem cell research is necessary in order to promote investment in this promising line of research, to encourage sound public policy, and to foster public confidence in the conduct of such research.

“Embryonic stem cells should be obtained from embryos remaining from infertility procedures after the embryo’s progenitors have made a decision that they do not wish to preserve them. This decision should be explicitly renewed prior to securing the progenitors’ consent to use the embryos in ES cell research”, the authors of the report proposed.

In 1998, scientists at the University of Wisconsin isolated and cultured human embryonic stem cells. This year scientists at the Universities of Granada and Leon confirmed that they can use stem cells from human umbilical cord blood to treat liver diseases.
In August 2008, researchers from Harward Medical School and Children’s Hospital in Boston, USA used a new method to re-programe ordinary cells from patients with ten incurable genetic diseases and conditions. These virtually immortal cells may be grown in the lab; researchers can closely watch the progress of the diseases; it offers an opportunity to develop treatment for them.
In view of the potential for misuse, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) issued stringent guidelines for stem cell research and therapy in India in November 2007. The guidelines prescribe the setting up of National Apex and Institutional Committees for Stem Cell Research and Therapy (NAC/IC-SCRT).

The ICMR guidelines address ethical and scientific concerns to encourage responsible practices in the area of stem cell research and therapy. “Since the latter is being contemplated with greater vigour in India, it was necessary to formulate guidelines for development of clinical grade stem cells” Dr. M.K. Bhan (Secretary, Department of Biotechnology) and Dr N.K.Ganguly (Director General, ICMR asserted in the foreword to the guidelines.

According to them, ICMR prepared the guidelines for stem cell research and therapy, for adult, cord blood and embryonic stem cells in response to the support provided by the Government to facilitate stem cell research in India so as to improve understanding of human health and disease, and evolve strategies to treat serious diseases.

The ICMR guidelines classify areas of stem cell research in to three categories: permissible, restricted and prohibited.

According to Department of Biotechnology (DOB), Government of India, over 30 institutions, hospitals and industry are involved in stem cell research in India. Clinicians and scientists are collaborating in a few institutions.

Stem cells are routinely used to repair corneal surface disorders at L.V. Prasad Eye Institute, Hyderabad. In the January 30, 2008 issue of the Scientific American, Larry Greenemeier described the pioneering work carried out by this institute

In an article published in 2006 in the Asian Biotechnology and Development Review, Alka Sharma of DOB summarized some of the other Indian developments in the field: Christian Medical College, Vellore has established technology to collect, isolate and purify stem cells for haematopoietic stem cell transplantation. An institution set up by industry has characterized 10 stem cell lines, including two neuronal cell lines.

The National Centre for Cell Science, Pune, which received one cell line, has its research focus on embryonic stem cells; haematopoietic stem cells; treatment of leukaemia; sickle cell anaemia and skin and tissue engineering

Though currently the annual investment for stem cell research in India is only very modest, at a few million US$, the Central Government has plans to create centres of excellence, generate adequate human embryonic stem cell lines and to develop human resource through training, short and long term overseas fellowships etc. to support this nascent field.
PTI Feature
-------------------------------------

International Atomic Energy Agency at Crossroads

7 October 2008

IAEA’s Programme of Action for Cancer Therapy (PACT) has helped to ensure that cancer patients in developing countries have access to radiation treatment. He admitted that the need for cancer treatment is vast and the Agency is only scratching the surface, but for the individual cancer patients who benefit, the limited assistance provided can mean the difference between life and death. With more funding the Agency could do much more to help the vulnerable people. Elbaradei reviewed the status of nuclear power worldwide. There are now 439 nuclear power reactors operating in 30 countries and 36 plants are under construction. IAEA expects that the nuclear capacity may possibly double by 2030. However, total electricity generation from all sources could well double also, in which case, nuclear power’s share of total generation would hold steady around the current level of about 14 percent.
-By Dr K S Parthasarathy

International Atomic Energy Agency at Crossroads

By Dr K S Parthasarathy

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) held its 52nd Annual General Conference at Vienna from September 29 to October 4, 2008. The delegates from India included Dr Anil Kakodkar, Chairman, Atomic Energy Commission, Dr S. Banerjee, Director, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre and Shri S.K.Sharma, Chairman, Atomic Energy Regulatory Board.

In his opening remarks, Dr Mohamed Elbaradei, the Director General , IAEA, expressed satisfaction over the work done by his colleagues in the agency and rated it as “excellent”. But he wanted the participants at the conference to know that all is not well with the IAEA. The Agency is at crossroads.

In June this year, he told the Board of Governors that there is a disconnect between what the Member States, are asking the Agency to do, and the legal authority and resources available to it. “This will hamper the Agency’s effectiveness, sooner rather than later, if it is not addressed”, he warned.

He noted that the surge in global food prices has pushed millions of people deeper into poverty and hunger. “A new report from the World Bank last month showed that there are more poor people in the world than previously thought. Some 1.4 billion people in the developing world live on less than $1.25 per day. The number of poor people in Sub-Saharan Africa has nearly doubled since 1981 to around 380 million” he said.

In this context, the work done by the Joint Division of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the IAEA is very important. The work includes using nuclear techniques to make food crops more resistant to disease, to boost crop yields and to combat pests and animal diseases.

In Africa, the Joint Division has supported 24 countries to eradicate the rinderpest. deadly cattle disease. Its work in combating the fruit fly in Latin America has created a large area free of this pest, stretching from Chile into southern Peru and all the way north to Guatemala.

Elbaradei regretted that the FAO took steps towards ending its involvement in the project. He hoped that the FAO Conference may make a positive decision in November.

IAEA’s Programme of Action for Cancer Therapy (PACT) has helped to ensure that cancer patients in developing countries have access to radiation treatment. He admitted that the need for cancer treatment is vast and the Agency is only scratching the surface, but for the individual cancer patients who benefit, the limited assistance provided can mean the difference between life and death. With more funding the Agency could do much more to help the vulnerable people.

Elbaradei reviewed the status of nuclear power worldwide. There are now 439 nuclear power reactors operating in 30 countries and 36 plants are under construction. IAEA expects that the nuclear capacity may possibly double by 2030.

However, total electricity generation from all sources could well double also, in which case, nuclear power’s share of total generation would hold steady around the current level of about 14 percent.

Nuclear power is attractive for both developing and developed countries. .In the last two years, some 50 Member States have expressed interest in considering the possible introduction of nuclear power and asked for Agency support. Twelve countries are actively preparing to introduce nuclear power.

Elbaradei pointed out that management of spent fuel and disposal of high level radioactive waste remain key challenges for the nuclear power industry. IAEA plays a key role in facilitating the flow of information in this area.
Decommissioning needs will grow. IAEA estimated that between 80 and 150 power reactors and 100 to 150 research reactors will be retired by 2030.

Elbaradei noted that the world of nuclear safeguards has changed considerably over the last few years. “Effective nuclear verification….. requires adequate legal authority, state-of-the-art technology, timely access to all relevant information, and sufficient human and financial resources”. He admitted that despite some progress, the Agency still have shortcomings in all four areas.

Some of Elbaradei’s statements are worrisome. “Years of zero growth budgets have left us with a failing infrastructure and a troubling dependence on voluntary support, which invariably has conditions attached. For example, no less than 90 percent of our nuclear security programme, which is aimed in part at stopping terrorists from obtaining nuclear material, depends on voluntary funding” ….. “Technical cooperation funds continue to lag well behind the pressing needs of developing countries”.

Elbaradei’s independent Commission of Eminent Persons led by former Mexican President Ernesto Zedillo, and comprising former heads of government, ministers, top scientists and diplomats, produced a report which is “compelling, thoughtful and profound”.

After summarizing the panel’s recommendations, Elbaradei stated thus: “As the Commission acknowledges, this is a bold agenda. It is now up to you to decide what kind of Agency you want.
If we carry on with business as usual, the Agency´s effectiveness and the value of the services we provide to you will gradually be eroded”.

“The sums proposed by the Commission to put things right are modest - a once-off injection of 80 million euros to refurbish our laboratories and emergency response capability, and a gradual doubling of the budget by 2020. Weighed against the costs of a nuclear accident - which can total untold billions of dollars, as in the case of Chernobyl - or of a terrorist attack involving nuclear materials, this is insignificant. Likewise, the potential benefit to developing countries from using nuclear applications is huge”, he argued.

Let us hope that the Member States will strengthen IAEA so that it can continue to serve humanity through its dedicated activities.

IAEA must continue as an independent intergovernmental, science and technology-based organization which serves as the global focal point for nuclear cooperation.
Original Source : PTI

Update on the effects of atomic radiation

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY Friday, October 3, 2008, Chandigarh, India

Update on the effects of atomic radiation
K.S. Parthasarathy
The United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation (UNSCEAR) in its much awaited latest review published on August 5, 2008, concluded that radiation is not riskier than what was stated in earlier reports.
Regulatory agencies can breathe easy as they need not alter the dose limits they prescribed to radiation workers and public
The report (Volume I) consists of the main text and two of the five annexes: “Epidemiological studies of radiation and cancer” and “Epidemiological evaluation of cardiovascular disease and other non-cancer diseases following radiation exposure”. UNSCEAR may publish the remaining annexes before the end of 2008.
UNSCEAR’s assessment of the risk of radiation depended heavily on the study of A-bomb survivors. The new analysis using the radiation doses recently re-estimated by the Radiation Effects Research Foundation, showed that the cancer risk factors may be lower.
The committee considered cancer incidence and mortality due to cancers in 20 organs and tissues among A-bomb survivors; these were eight more than those in the earlier study. Nearly half of the survivors are still alive. Those exposed in childhood are now reaching the age at which larger numbers of cancers would be expected to arise spontaneously. There is compelling need to continue the study of A-bomb survivors for their entire life span.
The UNSCEAR observed that the cancer risks obtained in new findings from the study of nuclear workers in 15 countries, studies of persons living near Techa river in the Russian Federation who were exposed due to radioactive discharges from Mayak plant and a study of persons exposed to fallout from the nuclear test site in Kazakhstan are generally more than those obtained from the study of A-bomb survivors. However, there are concerns about bias in these studies.
The committee found significant associations between radiation exposure and cardiovascular diseases and other non-cancer diseases. Such associations can occur at doses below those hitherto considered as thresholds for other effects.
Specialists consider that the harmful effects of irradiation originate in the irradiated cells. But there is evidence that non-irradiated cells may show effects such as “genomic instability” (cells surviving irradiation may produce daughter cells that over generations show changes though daughter cells themselves were not irradiated), “bystander effects” (the ability of exposed cells to convey damage to neighbouring cells not directly irradiated) and other effects.
The committee concluded that the available data provide some disease associations but not for causation. It recommended future research designing studies that emphasize reproducibility, low dose responses and causal associations with health effects.
High doses of radiation may suppress immunity mainly due to cell destruction. Low dose irradiation may suppress the immune system or stimulate it. The immune system may remove aberrant cells which have potential to form tumours. A-bomb survivors show perturbations to stable immune systems. In the final document, the Committee proposed methods to estimate risk from radon, a well established carcinogen, present in dwellings.
To determine radiation risk at typical doses to workers, we need low dose studies. But most low dose studies have inadequate statistical power.
The UNSCEAR completed the report in 2005. The Committee acknowledged that resource crunch was the cause for the delay in publishing the report which is now called UNSCEAR 2006. According to a UN specialist, financial restrictions and-sometimes benign neglect- has slowed down the Committee’s work.
UNSCEAR reports provide the scientific basis to arrive at dose limits (safe levels of radiation to radiation workers and members of the public).
Set up in 1956, the UNSCEAR published 17 documents. The first two reports UNSCEAR 1958 and 1962 paved the way for prohibition of atmospheric weapon testing in 1963.
India has been a member of the UNSCEAR from its very inception. Traditionally, the Chairman of UNSCEAR is from a non-nuclear weapons’ state.
V.R. Khanolkar, a pioneer in pathology from India was Vice-Chairman in years 1958-1959; A.Gopal Ayengar a geneticist and the first research scientist Homi Bhabha recruited into the Department of Atomic Energy was Vice-Chairman in 1964-1965 and Chairman in 1966-1967.
Let us hope that UNSCEAR will continue to function effectively in spite of various limitations.
The writer is former Secretary, Atomic Energy Regulatory Board

Big Bang experiment Possible gains, Indian role

The Tribune, Chandigarh has published my article on the Big Bang Experiment on 19 September 2008. It highlighted the possible gains from the experiment and the role of India
K.S.Parthasarathy




SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY Friday, September 19, 2008, Chandigarh, India

Big Bang experiment
Possible gains, Indian role
K.S. Parthasarathy
The multi-billion dollar Large Hadron Collider (LHC) experiment, which began on September 10, is expected to create on earth at the end of an year, the conditions that existed billionth of a second after the Big Bang. When fully operational LHC experiment will deliver 600 million “mini” Big Bangs every second. Massive detectors will monitor these.
LHC experiment may answer some of the most fundamental questions in physics. The Standard Model of matter predicted the existence of an array of fundamental particles. Scientists have detected all except the Higgs bosons. If LHC detects Higgs boson, Peter Higgs, 79, an emeritus professor at the University of Edinburgh will win Nobel Prize for a theory he expounded 44 years ago. He may also receive a hundred dollar bet from his archrival, Stephen Hawking!
Scientists may never find Higgs boson. John Ellis, a theoretical physicist at CERN believes that additional dimensions of space could somehow do the job that Higgs boson does in the Standard Model. String theorists had such expectations of extra dimensions. Alan Boyle, science writer, quotes Lisa Randall, the Harvard physicist as saying that the LHC will nail down the evidence of extra dimensions in five years.
At a more mundane level, do we gain anything from this indecently expensive experiment? Can’t we do something more useful with that kind of money?
“Let me answer with an emphatic NO. Finding out how our universe works has never been a bad idea”, Brian Cox, a professor at the University of Manchester and a participant in the LHC experiment, has been unapologetic about the venture. “In fact, it is the quest for a deeper understanding of nature that has given us everything we now take for granted in modern life”.
He unabashedly declared that curiosity-driven research led to virtually all of the great discoveries of the 19th and 20th centuries. “The transistor emerged from quantum theory of solids, not from a desire to build computers and television”, he argued. Great discoveries seldom came out of pragmatic process of innovation.
Some physicists claim that the atom smasher may help scientists treat diseases, improve the internet and open the door to travel through extra dimensions. Earlier atom smashers led to the development of technologies such as Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scans which help to pinpoint cancer cells.
Andy Parker, a professor of high energy physics at Cambridge University, UK believes that you can send a beam of protons into a cancer patient, which does essentially no damage at all to the tissues on the way in; all the damage is done at the point where the protons stop. By tuning the energy of the protons you can make them stop inside the tumours located deep inside the bodies and blast them away. Physicians may be able to carry out more widely proton therapy which now has limited applications. As scientists working with the LHC learn to better focus and control proton beams, the refinements may trickle down to medical profession.
A less certain but more exotic benefit as spinoff from this mega project is that it could open the door to technologies that allow people to travel faster than the speed of light Sci-Fi boffins will have their imagination running riot!
The six experiments at the LHC will produce, after due filtering, 15 petabytes (10 to the 15th power) of data annually to be stored at CERN. A worldwide LHC grid, a global network of 60,000 computers made accessible to a few thousand scientists globally will analyse the data.
“We are doing things that are at the boundaries of science…But the technologies, the methods and the results will be picked up by industry”, Ruth Pordes, executive director of the Open Science Grid at Fermilab in Chicago, told Associated Press.
“Scientists expect grid computing to become more widely used in future, for research ranging from new drugs to more effective nuclear power. Eventually, consumers will start seeing it used in daily life to regulated traffic, predict the weather and even boost a flagging economy”, AP columnist, Frank Jordan believes.
“It would not be the first time that happened in CERN. In 1990, a young British researcher there created a computer based system for sharing information with colleagues around the world”, Jordan noted the birth of World Wide Web.
What is India’s role in this high-tech experiment?
The Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR), the cradle of high-energy physics and cosmic ray research in India from late 40s, has been fruitfully collaborating with the European Organisation for Nuclear Research (CERN) since the 70s. This helped in inking a cooperation agreement for a 10-year period between the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) and CERN in 1991.
DAE’s motivation was the desire to increase the pace of accelerator development in India and to give a thrust to experimental high-energy research programme.
In March 1996, DAE and CERN signed a protocol under which India joined the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) experiment and agreed to make “in-kind” contributions in the form of skilled manpower, software and hardware to the tune of $25 million. CERN set apart half the contribution as an “India fund” to cover the expenses of Indian scientists at CERN and to meet foreign exchange required for some of the contributions. In LHC project, India like USA has “observer” status.
India’s first contribution to the LHC complex was two large capacity liquid nitrogen tanks (3.4 metre diameter and 10.6 metre tall, double walled, vacuum and perlite insulated) each of 50,000 litre with a liquid withdrawal rate of 2kg/s. The tanks worked well with less than 100 l/day evaporation rate, much below the specified value.
Cryogenic experts from RRCAT, participated in analysis of performance data generated during commissioning of LHC cryo- systems to help debug the Deficiencies.
As “in-kind” contribution, India provided 7080 precision magnet positioning stands jacks, nearly 1800 SC corrector magnets, 5500 quench heater protection supplies, 1435 local protection units, 70 circuit breakers etc; scientists and engineers from Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Raja Ramanna Centre for Advanced Technology, Variable Energy Cyclotron Centre, Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research, Electronics Corporation of India Limited, Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited etc. spent 125 man-years towards magnetic tests and measurements and help in commissioning LHC sub systems.
Universities of Delhi, Punjab, Aligarh, Rajasthan, Jammu, Viswa Bharati and Indian Institute of Technology are participating in the LHC experiment.
Indian scientists participated in building, installation, software analysis, Monte Carlo studies, physics simulation and analysis of Compact Muon Solenoid (CMS) and A Large Colloider Experiment (ALICE), two of the four detector systems of LHC.
The writer is former Secretary, Atomic Energy Regulatory Board

A-bomb survivors at Hiroshima and Nagasaki

PTI FEATURE
VOL NO XXIV (32)-2008 August 09, 2008
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
INTERNATIONAL
PF-125/2008
A-bomb survivors at Hiroshima and Nagasaki
By Dr.K.S.Parthasarathy

As on March 31, 2007, 2,51,834 persons with an average age of 74.6 years, have received official “hibakusha” (known as A-bomb victims) health cards as atomic bomb survivors, but only 2200 of them have been certified as suffering from radiation-related diseases.
On 6th August 1945, exactly 63 years ago, an atom bomb destroyed Hiroshima. Three days later, Nagasaki faced a similar fate.
These cities then had an estimated population of 310,000 and 250,000 respectively. About 90,000- 140,000 in Hiroshima and 60,000- 80,000 people in Nagasaki died immediately or within two to four months after bombing, resulting from collapse of houses caused by the blast and from heat rays and fires and radiation exposure
As on March 31, 2007, 2,51,834 persons with an average age of 74.6 years, have received official “hibakusha” (known as A-bomb victims) health cards as atomic bomb survivors, but only 2200 of them have been certified as suffering from radiation-related diseases (The Asahi Shimbun, June 26, 2008). On June 24, a Nagasaki court ruled that 20 survivors deserve recognition as sufferers of radiation-caused illnesses, including those who do not meet the government’s new certification standards.
The sufferers to be certified according to the court were those with chronic hepatitis, cirrohosis of the liver, articular ailments and disorders resulting from embedded pieces of glass and other foreign objects; these people are entitled to receive 137,000 yen monthly in special medical benefits.
The Japanese Central government lost several cases, the latest was the 9th loss in the series. Government’s new standards issued this April, will certify people who were exposed to radiation within 3.5 km of ground zero and consequently developed any one of the designated diseases(cancer, leukemia, irradiation cataracts, hyperparathyroidism and radiation induced heart infarction) .
On July 19, this year, the Osaka District Court recognized four people as suffering from radiation illnesses caused by atomic bombings (The Yomiuri Shimbun, April 19, 2008). There were 11 claimants.
Several suits for recognition as atomic bomb sufferers are being pursued in different courts. The process is painfully slow.
Over an estimated 5000 atomic survivors living abroad did not receive any relief so far, though two court rulings in (Osaka and Nagasaki respectively) offered some hopes for them.
What is the current status of radiation health studies of A-bomb survivors in Japan?
Many believe in the myth that birth defects are more common among the children of the survivors of the atomic bombings at Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Physicians appointed by Atomic Bomb Casualty Commission (ABCC) did not see statistically demonstrable increase in major birth defects in 76,626 infants conceived and born in Hiroshima and Nagasaki over a period of six years starting from the late spring of 1948.
Pregnant women had special provisions for certain dietary staples. Because of this, the surveyors of new-borns could identify 90 per cent of the pregnancies that persisted for at least 20 weeks of gestation.
Physical examination of the new born and autopsies on as many stillborn infants revealed that neither the frequency of major birth defects nor the frequency of the most common birth defects differ significantly with radiation exposure of parents. The researchers examined some 21,788 infants shortly after birth and re-examined them eight to ten months later. The study covered 65,431 registered pregnancy terminations and appropriate control populations.
"The absence of a statistically significant effect of ionizing radiation on the frequency of major birth defects should not be construed as evidence that mutations were not induced by parental exposure to atomic radiation", Radiation Effects Research Foundation (RERF), the successor of ABCC cautioned.
The researchers saw mutations in every animal and plant species studied. The magnitude of a difference between two or more groups that can be detected statistically depends upon the number of observations made and on the natural frequency of the event under scrutiny as well as the difference between the groups resulting from exposure. The RERF study had the statistical power to detect a doubling of the rate of major congenital malformations, if such defects had occurred.
Long term study of the survivors of the atom bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki showed that high radiation exposures caused excess cancer in the exposed individuals. In 2007, scientists estimated that about 850 out of 17,448 solid cancers recorded during 1958 through 1998 may be due to radiation exposure. Radiation is thus shown to be a weak carcinogen.
Studies on 1600 children who were irradiated while they were in their mother's womb during the atomic bomb explosions in the two cities revealed that 30 of them suffered clinically severe mental retardation. Between 0 and 7 weeks post conception mental development was not affected. Between 8 and 15 weeks the sensitivity for mental retardation was maximum.
This is possibly because neuronal proliferation and cell migration in the cortex is most active during this period. From 15 weeks to 25 weeks the incidence of mental retardation was clearly lower. Generally mental retardation depended on radiation dose. There was no detectable threshold dose below which the effect was zero. But a threshold of 100 milligray cannot be ruled out. (milligray is a unit of radiation dose; the skin dose in some medical x-ray examinations can be as high as 1 milligray).
RERF studies suggest that there may be a small radiation associated increase in the risk of death for diseases such as myocardial infarction, chronic liver disease, thyroid diseases and uterine myoma among A-bomb survivors. There is some evidence that radiation caused an increase in cancer deaths among survivors who got exposed in their mothers' wombs. The number of such deaths is still small.
International organisations use the RERF data derived from the study of A- bomb survivors to establish radiation protection guidelines for radiation workers and the general populations. Whether low level radiation exposure will cause harmful effects in humans has not been demonstrated conclusively. Irrefutable evidence on the harmful effects, if any, due to low levels of radiation exposure is unlikely to emerge in the near future. Evidently, it is prudent to reduce all radiation exposures to, as low a value as is reasonably achievable.

---PTI FEATURE

Cataract and A-bomb survivors

Friday, August 8, 2008, Chandigarh, India

K.S. Parthasarathy

On August 6, 1945, exactly 63 years ago, an atom bomb destroyed Hiroshima. Three days later, Nagasaki faced similar devastation. The Radiation Effects Research Foundation (RERF) at Hiroshima carries out several studies on the health status of A-bomb survivors. One such study is the effect of ionising radiation on the eye lens of the survivors.




The 63rd anniversary of the atomic bombing at Hiroshima was on August 6; that of Nagasaki is on August 9



Until now, the radiation protection specialists assumed that only high doses of radiation of two Gy cause cataracts, but new data from the A-bomb survivors suggest that the dose threshold for both minor opacities and vision limiting cataracts may be below one Gy (RERF Update Vol 19, Issue 1 2008). Gray (Gy) is a unit of radiation dose; it is equal to an energy absorption of one Joule per kilogramme.

“That important finding is causing major risk assessment groups to consider re-evaluating their guidelines for permissible occupational and medical exposures to the eye”, RERF scientists claimed.

Lens of the eye is like lens of a camera. Radiation causes partial opacity (cloudiness) of the eye lens. Symptoms of cataract usually appear after a latency period of several months (two to three years on average) following radiation exposure. Senile cataract which is common in old age advances with age; radiation cataract seldom does. Radiation cataract infrequently causes visual impairment.

Radiation cataract possibly has a “threshold”, a certain dose value below which no effect is observed.

How does radiation cataract develop? There is a transparent layer of epithelial cells on the interior frontal side of the capsule that covers the lens. This layer maintains the function of the lens by slowly growing toward the centre, achieved through cell division at the periphery (called the equator) of the lens (RERF Update, 2008). Because radiation is especially harmful to dividing cells, exposed cells at the equator are most prone to damage. The damaged cells move toward the rear of the lens before converging on the centre. Such cells prevent light from travelling straight forward, causing opacity.

Study of radiation-induced cataracts in A-bomb survivors started at the Atomic Bomb Casualty Commission (ABCC), the predecessor of the Radiation Effects Research Foundation. During 1963-64, scientists found a statistically significant radiation dose response for certain type of cataracts. Later study in 1978-80 gave similar results. Some analyses gave conflicting results.

Neriishi and coworkers concluded that there is radiation dose response for cataracts indicating a threshold below one Gy ( RERF Update, 2008).

The authors found similar evidence in other studies. A study of children exposed during the accident at the Chernobyl nuclear power station reported a subsequent excess of cataracts. A Swedish followup study of infants treated with radium indicated excess cataracts at a dose of one Gy to the eye. A NASA study of the health of 295 astronauts predicted that relatively low doses of space radiation might predispose the crew to an increased incidence and early appearance of cataracts (RERF update, 19, 1, 2008). A recent study of Chernobyl clean-up workers reported similar results.

RERF scientists thus quoted the International Commission on Radiological Protection: (ICRP,2007): “…the lens of the eye may be more radiosensitive than previously considered. In particular, among the atomic bomb survivors,…. and a group of children treated for skin hemangiomas….., there is evidence of excesses of ….. cataract at doses somewhat lower than expected. Whether ICRP may now lower the dose limits to the eye for radiation workers and members of the public or not is not clear.

The RERF researchers found out that stored lens images of A-bomb survivors have great potential in cataract research, for re-evaluation and followup of the cases and for standardisation of analyses in training new researchers.

RERF is starting a project to collect and store lens tissues removed from A-bomb survivors for future use. Such tissues may provide information on molecular biological changes in the formation of cataracts.

Cataract studies on children of A-bomb survivors conducted during 2002-2006 are being analysed to verify whether there are trans-generational effects of radiation on the eye lens. RERF started a glaucoma prevalence study in 2006; it will conclude by September 2008; the results may be published later.

Dr K.S.Parthasarathy is former Secretary, Atomic Energy Regulatory Board

CT scans can cause medical device malfunction

— Photo: K.R. Deepak











I based this article on the recent USFDA Advisory on the possibility of malfunctioning of implanted or externally worn medical devices during CT scanning.
Millions of Americans are now fitted with devices which use electrical currents to help various organs overcome functional deficits. We do not have any data on the availability of such devices in India. But it is better to be cautious about them. If patients are fitted with any device, they must bring it to the notice of the CT operator.

K.S.Parthasarathy



Date:31/07/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/thehindu/seta/2008/07/31/stories/
2008073150201500.htm

Back Sci Tech

CT scans can cause medical device malfunction
The FDA has received a few reports of adverse events in which CT scans interfered with electronic implants or externally worn drug infusion pumps
Now more patients have implanted or externally worn electronic medical devices
Higher dose rates from the new generation of CT scanners may be a reason.

Operator’s responsibility: The CT operator must initially use CT scout views, which use only minimum dose, to see for any implanted medical devices in the patient.

The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) alerted health professionals in U.S. to the possibility that x-rays used during CT examinations may cause implanted and external electronic medical devices to malfunction (FDA, July 14, 2008)
FDA assured that most patients with electronic medical devices undergo CT scans without any adverse consequences. It has received a few reports of adverse events in which CT scans may have interfered with electronic devices such as pacemakers, defibrillators, neurostimulators and implanted or externally worn drug infusion pumps.
More extensive usage
Institutions use CT scans more extensively now; healthcare professionals have started noticing the few incidents. Higher dose rates from the new generation of CT scanners may be another reason. Now more patients have implanted or externally worn electronic medical devices. FDA continues to investigate this issue with the cooperation of manufacturers. Reports to the FDA indicated unintended “shocks” (stimuli) from neurostimulators, malfunctions of insulin infusion pumps, transient changes in pacemaker output pulse rates caused by x-rays from CT scans.
No deaths reported
Till now, FDA has not received any reports of deaths from CT scanning of medical devices. In one study, researchers found transient malfunctioning of pacemakers due to CT examinations in six out of 11 patients as indicated by their ECGs during the CT examinations. They examined the effect of CT on a pacemaker in a human body model with and without shielding by rubber or lead. X-rays from CT equipment caused the malfunctioning as they could show that lead shielding prevented it (Circulation Journal, 2006). In another study, researchers exposed 21 devices to X rays from CT scanners.
They found malfunctioning in 20 out of 21 devices at maximum dose levels and in 17 out of 21 at typical dose levels. Two devices inhibited for more than 4 seconds in spiral mode at clinical dose levels (Radiology, 2007). Effects occurred only if the x-ray beam passed directly over the device.
In another investigation, an implanted neurostimulator unit give the patient a shock when he was scanned (CT) in that area (Health Services, 2007).
Millions of Americans are now fitted with devices which use electrical currents to help various organs overcome functional deficits (chicagotribune.com. July 14, 2008). We do not have any data on the availability of such devices in India. But it is better to be cautious about them. If patients are fitted with any device, they must bring it to the notice of the CT operator.
FDA recommended that the CT operator must initially use CT scout views to see for any implanted or externally worn medical devices, if any, in the patient. CT scout views use minimum dose.
Precautionary steps
If it is present, they must identify its location relative to the area to be scanned. They must determine the type of the device; if possible, they may remove the external device out of the scan range. They may ask patients with neurostimulators to switch them off temporarily while the scan is done.
The x-ray operator must minimize x-ray exposure to the device by using the minimum tube current consistent with image quality.
They must make sure that the x-ray beam must not dwell over the device for more than a few seconds (FD, 2008).
“For CT procedures that require scanning over the medical device continuously for more than a few seconds, as with CT perfusion studies or interventional exams, attending staff should be ready to take emergency measures to treat adverse reactions if they occur”, FDA cautioned
What is issued now is a Preliminary Public Health Notification when the available information and the agency’s understanding of the issue are still evolving. FDA will revise the Notification, as new information emerges (FDA, July14, 2008).
K.S. PARTHASARATHY
Former Secretary, AERB
( ksparth@yahoo.co.uk )
© Copyright 2000 - 2008 The Hindu

Tryst with a fusion reactor

A brief essay on the International Thermo-nuclear Experimental Re-actor (ITER) in which India is participating

K.S.Parthasarathy




SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY Friday, July 25, 2008, Chandigarh, India
Tryst with a fusion reactor
K.S. Parthasarathy
Electric power generation is a dirty business, thus far at least. This may change if the International Thermo-nuclear Experimental Re-actor (ITER) to be constructed at Cadarache in the South of France, at a cost of about 5 billion Euros over the next 10 years, succeeds.
ITER will produce 500 MW of fusion power for a burn length of 400 seconds. It may operate for nearly 20 years.
Fusion reactors will be safe, reliable, environmentally benign and economically viable and will offer unlimited energy. The fuel materials, deuterium and lithium from which tritium can be extracted are abundant; deuterium in sea water and lithium in earth’s crust.
Fusion produces no greenhouse gases that cause global warming and climate change. Unlike fossil fueled plants, fusion reactors do not emit noxious gases; nor do they release cadmium, mercury, arsenic and natural radioactive elements
They do not produce long lived radioactive wastes. Some metal parts may get activated; these activities are relatively short-lived.
A fusion power plant uses tritium, a beta particle emitter of very low energy. It is consumed in the process itself. Fusion can never run out of hand, as it is not a chain reaction. The process is inherently safe. A successful fusion plant can power millions of houses.
Europe will contribute roughly 2.5 billion Euros to the project; while China, Japan, India, the Republic of Korea, the Russian Federation and the USA will contribute equally to the rest.
On March 6, 2008, the ITER Organisation and the European Organisation for Nuclear Research (CERN) signed a Cooperation Agreement. CERN has rich experience in many ITER related technologies. CERN will also contribute its expertise in finance, purchasing and human resources and software programmes.
ITER may provide the knowhow to build the first electricity generating power station based on magnetic confinement of high temperature plasma. Scientists will use it to test high-temperature tolerant components, large scale superconducting magnets, fuel breeding blankets using high temperature coolants to produce power efficiently and safe remote handling of irradiated components.
In December 2005, India joined the ITER organisation as its seventh full partner. The US-India joint statement of March 2, 2006 welcomed the participation of India in the ITER initiative on fusion energy as an important further step towards the common goal of full nuclear energy cooperation.
India will contribute equipment worth 500 million dollars to the ITER project and will participate in its subsequent operation and experiments. India will supply nine items including a massive cryostat which forms the outer vacuum envelope for ITER, the vacuum vessel shields made of special boron steel and occupying space between the two walls, eight 2.5 mega watt in cyclotron heating sources, complete with power systems and controls and cryo-distribution and water cooling subsystems (Nuclear India, May/June 2006).
The Institute for Plasma Research (IPR), an aided institution under the Department of Atomic Energy is the Indian Domestic Agency for the project
IPR has been carrying out research in basic and applied plasma physics. It has several basic experimental devices for research in plasma physics. It is currently building the Steady State Superconducting Tokamak (SST-1).
The strong commitments of the partners of this seemingly costly project indicate that it will succeed. Fifty years from now, when fusion reactors become a reality, we will have a breed of Indian engineers and scientists to construct and operate such plants which offer unlimited power to the country.
Indian scientists and engineers will get direct hands-on experience in design, fabrication, and operation etc. on the latest fusion technologies for the first time. India may join collaborative efforts to develop low activation materials and learn robotic technologies developed to handle radioactive components weighing up to 50,000kg.
As full partners in a prestigious international experiment, India will have to come to international standards of quality, safety, time schedule maintenance etc. immediately.
“If we backup the ITER INDIA effort with an aggressive, well focused national programme, it will allow us to leapfrog by at least a couple of decades” Dr P.K. Kaw, Director, IPR wrote in an article in Nuclear India.
(K.S.Parthasarathy is former Secretary, Atomic Energy Regulatory Board)

Coal-fired plants and climate change

The impact of coal-fired plants on climate is widely accepted. This factor may influence the future of such plants. For the first time activists are able to secure legal sanctions against coal-fired plants IN USA

K.S.Parthasarathy




July 22, 2008
http://www.dailyexcelsior.com/web1/08july22/index.html
PTI FEATURE
Coal-fired plants and climate change
By Dr K S Parthasarathy
This week, a Georgia court in USA, halted the \construction of a new 1,200-megawatt coal-fired power plant on the Chattahoochee River (the plant is also called Longleaf), because its supporters could not provide a plan to limit climate change–causing carbon dioxide emissions from it.
"The decision marks the first time that potential greenhouse gas (GHG) pollution has been cited as a factor in denying permission to build a new coal-fired power plant" (Scientific American, July 3, 2008).
This judgment relied on a 2007 Supreme Court ruling (in Massachusetts vs EPA) that found that the Clean Air Act gives the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) the statutory authority to regulate carbon dioxide and other GHG emissions
The judgment against the setting up of the coal plant has serious ramifications as coal-fired electric generating plants currently provide for half of the electric power produced in USA and is likely to continue as the mainstay for the coming decades.
Fulton County Superior Court Judge Thelma Wyatt Cummings Moore noted that the plant would annually emit large amounts of air pollutants, including eight [million] to nine million tons of carbon dioxide.
"There was no effort to identify, evaluate or apply available technologies that would control CO2 emissions and the permit contains no CO2 emission limits…. Since CO2 is otherwise subject to regulation under the [Clean Air] Act, a PSD [prevention of significant deterioration] permit cannot issue for Longleaf without CO2 emission limitations," she clarified.
The judgment is clear. It recognized global warming due to greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.
Human activity has been increasing the concentration of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide from combustion of coal, oil, and natural gas and a few other trace gases. Current levels are greater than 380 ppmv (parts per million by volume) and is increasing at a rate of 1.9 ppm yr-1 since 2000 (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration May, 8, 2008).
According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Special Report on Emission Scenarios (SRES), by the end of the 21st century, we could expect to see carbon dioxide concentrations of anywhere from 490 to 1260 ppm. This will have serious consequences.
In 1988, James Hansen, the then head of Goddard Institute for Space Studies, National Aeronautics and Space Administration appeared before the US Senate’s Energy and Natural Resources Committee and testified that earth’s temperature is raising to record high levels due to human activity.
Last year, an interdisciplinary group from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) issued a report titled "The Future of Coal-Options for a Carbon Constrained World". asserting that carbon capture and sequestration(CCS) is the critical enabling technology to help reduce carbon dioxide emissions significantly while also allowing coal to meet the world’s pressing energy needs.
The report argued that the US government should provide assistance only to coal projects with CO2 capture in order to demonstrate technical, economic and environmental performance.
"Congress should remove any expectation that construction of new coal plants without CO2 capture will be "grandfathered" and granted emission allowances in the event of future regulation. This is a perverse incentive to build coal plants without CO2 capture today", the report clarified.
On June 23, 2008, on the anniversary of his first landmark testimony, Hansen told the House Select Committee for Energy Independence and Climate Change that the chief executives of large fossil fuel companies should be put on trial for crimes against humanity and nature!
He argued that global warming science has been corrupted in the same way that tobacco companies once attempted to blur the links between smoking and cancer, and he called for government investments in alternative energy to help end our dependence.
The unkindest cut to future coal-fired power generation came recently when the Bush administration decided to withdraw funding to FutureGen, the US government’s effort to develop a "clean coal" power plant.
Between 2000 and 2006, US utilities submitted over 150 coal plant proposals. By 2007, they constructed 10 of them; 25 additional plants were under construction. But during 2007, 59 proposed plants were cancelled, abandoned, or put on hold.
Concerns about global warming played a major role in 15 of these cases. Coal plants are being eliminated from long-range plans.
Of the 59 plants which took the hits, 44 were abandoned by the utilities themselves because of increase in construction costs, insufficient financing or failure to receive expected government grants, lowering of estimates of power demand and concerns about future carbon regulations.
Where do we go from here? Nuclear power may not offer a full solution, even though the International Energy Agency thus endorsed nuclear power for the first time in its World Energy Outlook in 2006: "Nuclear power remains a potentially attractive option for enhancing the security of electricity supply and mitigating carbon-dioxide emissions". –
PTI Feature

Lengthy dialogue on nuclear safety

I was Secretary of the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board when nuclear safety dialogue started with the United States Nuclear regulatory Commission and the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board.What was started as an informal discussion developed into a full fledged nuclear safety dialogue between the two organisations.The article in the Deccan Herald describes the early developments.

Dr K.S.Parthasarathy




July 21, 2008

IN PERSPECTIVE

Lengthy dialogue on nuclear safety

By K S Parthasarathy



Indian and US nuclear regulatory bodies have a fruitful history of interaction.


The Indo-US civil nuclear cooperation agreement is passing through a decisive phase. The India-US interaction began in July 1994 with the visit of an American delegation led by former Energy Secretary Hazel O’Leary E Gail de Planque to India. A Commissioner of the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) was a member of the team. The two countries agreed to start a nuclear safety dialogue between the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) and NRC. The informal programme in 1994 developed into a platform for mutual exchange of information on core nuclear safety issues between the two regulatory agencies.

In October 1994, Chairman, AERB, Dr A Gopalakrishnan and a team of engineers visited NRC and various nuclear facilities. He established an excellent rapport with NRC officials. Subsequently Dr Ivan Selin, Chairman, NRC, visited New Delhi and Mumbai. Addressing the scientists at Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), Dr Selin touched a raw nerve when he conveyed his perception that AERB, in its current form, is not “independent”. To be truly independent, he said, a country’s regulatory agency should report to another country’s government! Dr R Chidambaram, Chairman, Atomic Energy Commission, reacted with disarming alacrity!






Many perceive AERB’s relationship with the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) as too close for comfort. All regulatory bodies face a similar dilemma. NRC has its own image problems. Some call it the lap dog of the US Department of Energy!

Regulatory actions (I counted more than 50) of AERB against DAE installations will convince anyone that AERB is an effective agency. Such actions included reducing power levels of reactors, shutting down plants and directing important modifications. The installations complied with AERB directives; they spent considerable sums of money to do so. The AERB-NRC interaction continued under Dr P Rama Rao, Chairman, AERB, in 1998 and Dr Shirley Ann Jackson, NRC Chairperson.

The NRC-AERB interactions stopped abruptly in May 1998 when India conducted the nuclear tests. The dialogue restarted in February 2003 when Richard A Meserve, Chairman, USNRC, accompanied by a 15 member team visited AERB on an invitation from AERB chairman Dr S P Sukhtame. There was no looking back afterwards. From February 2003 to date AERB and NRC held nine discussion meetings. The latest was during February 25-28, 2008. Several teams of engineers from AERB, BARC, Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research and the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) participated in the discussions. The NRC officials visited some Indian atomic power stations and research centres. Two officers from AERB are currently with USNRC to get exposure to the NRC regulatory process.

The AERB and NRC deliberate on virtually every important nuclear safety-related topic. These include re-analysis of the accident at the Three Mile Island Nuclear power station, the regulatory requirements related to tsunami at nuclear plant sites, safety criteria for new reactor designs, seismic issues etc. In 2007, more advanced topics were included. The NRC regulates 104 nuclear power reactors. They established procedures for licence renewal and certification of new reactor designs and enhanced their capability to address every nuclear safety issue.

AERB faces similar challenges. Our reactors are ageing. AERB has been monitoring the implementation of safety upgradations of reactors built to earlier standards. The interaction complements India’s participation in the activities of the IAEA, the World Association of Nuclear Operators and the Candu Owners Group. During an informal get-together, Carlton Stoiber, a senior US official, drew a cartoon. The aquarium he drew on a paper towel contained an over-sized fish and a tiny fish. He wrote “NRC” on the big fish. Will the big fish swallow the smaller one? Someone queried. Certainly not, they are both regulators; same species will not harm each other! I assured every one.

(The writer is a former AERB Secretary.)

When uranium supply lowers capacity factor

Date:10/07/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/thehindu/seta/2008/07/10/stories/
2008071050021700.htm

Back Sci Tech

When uranium supply lowers capacity factor

Supplies worldwide are adequate for energy needs for at least 100 years

Growing demand and higher prices have spurred greater investment in exploration

Twenty countries mine uranium now. Iran is the latest to enter the field

Currently, the mismatch between uranium supply and demand is lowering the capacity factors (CF) of Indian pressurized heavy water reactors. The average CF stabilized to about 60 per cent in mid 90s and steadily increased to nearly 90 per cent during 2003.

It was only 50.4 per cent in 2007-08. In June 2008, Tarapur 3 & 4, each operable at 540 MWe operated at about 247MWe. Hopefully, it is a temporary phase.

How is the supply position world-wide? ‘Uranium 2007: Resources, Production and Demand,’ the latest version of the so called ‘Red Book,’ the most authentic public publication on uranium jointly published by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development /Nuclear Energy Agency (OECD/NEA) assures that new discoveries and re-evaluations of known conventional uranium resources show that supplies will be adequate for nuclear energy needs for at least 100 years at present consumption level (IAEA release, June 3, 2008).

As expected, growing demand and higher prices have spurred greater investment in exploration and led to larger identified conventional uranium resources over the past two years (IAEA release, June 3, 2008).

The Red Book estimates the identified amount of conventional uranium resources which can be mined for less than US$130/kg to be about 5.5 million tonnes, up from the 4.7million tonnes reported in 2005.
Undiscovered resources

“Undiscovered resources, i.e. uranium deposits that can be expected to be found based on the geological characteristics of already discovered resources, have also risen to 10.5 million tones”, the report revealed. This indicates an increase of 0.5 million tonnes compared to the previous edition of the report (NEA release, June 3).

New nuclear power reactors in the pipe line in China, India, Korea, Japan and the Russian Federation will influence uranium demand; the phase-out programmes underway in several European countries are another factor.

According to the Redbook 2007, apart from new builds, the planned plant life extensions should increase global installed nuclear capacity in the coming decades. Uranium demand is bound to increase. (IAEA, June 3, 2008)

OECD/NEA noted that at the end of 2006, world uranium production (39,603 tonnes) provided about 60 per cent of world reactor requirements (66,500 tonnes) for the 435 commercial nuclear reactors in operation.

The secondary sources drawn from government and commercial inventories made up the gap between supply and demand.
Long lead time

“Given the long lead time typically required to bring new resources into production, uranium supply shortfalls could develop if production facilities are not implemented in a timely manner”, the Red Book cautioned. (WNA, July 2008).

The uranium ore mined in India is of low grade (less than 0.1 per cent). The Atomic Minerals Directorate for Exploration and Research (AMD) continues uranium exploration in virtually hundreds of locations in several states and drilling and geochemical surveys extensively at many sites including those in Meghalaya, A.P., Rajasthan and Karnataka.

In 2007-08, the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) updated the uranium resources to1,07,268 tonnes of U3O8 (DAE Annual Report 2007-08). The Uranium Corporation of India Ltd (UCIL), which DAE set up in 1967, operates four mines (Jaduguda, Bhatin, Narwapahar and Turamdih) and plans to start a few more.
Installed capacities

The quantity of uranium ore produced and processed by Narwapahar mine and Jaduguda Plant respectively exceeded their installed capacities.

Commissioning of Banduhurang, the first open pit uranium mine in June 2007 is a milestone in UCIL’s endeavour to utilize low grade uranium ore in the country (DAE Annual Report, 2007-08).

K.S.PARTHASARATHY

Former Secretary, AERB

( ksparth@yahoo.co.uk )

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