Category: Nuclear Energy

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Update 212 – IAEA Director General Statement on Situation in Ukraine

Source: International Atomic Energy Agency – IAEA

Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) has lost the connection to its last back-up external power line, once again underlining the fragile nuclear safety and security situation at the site, Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said today.

The IAEA team of experts stationed at the ZNPP was informed that the 330 kilovolt (kV) line was disconnected at 2:04 pm local time yesterday, due to a problem which occurred on the other side of the Dnipro river, some 13.5 kilometres away from the 330 kV switchyard, which supplies back-up power to the site. The cause of the disconnection was not immediately known, the ZNPP said, adding it had been informed by the Ukrainian grid operator that work on the line was under way.

The ZNPP is still receiving the electricity it needs from its only 750 kV line, but the loss of the 330 kV line means the plant currently has no back-up options available for off-site power. Before the conflict, the plant had four 750 kV lines and six 330 kV lines available.

Frequent power cuts have remained a source of serious concern for nuclear safety and security at Europe’s largest nuclear power plant as it needs electricity to cool its reactors and for other essential functions, even when all reactor units have been shut down.

While there was no total loss of off-site power on this occasion, the ZNPP has suffered eight events with a complete loss of off-site power since August 2022, forcing it to temporarily rely on emergency diesel generators.

“The extremely vulnerable off-site power situation continues to pose significant safety and security challenges for this major nuclear facility. Even though the main power line remains in operation, the lack of back-up power demonstrates that the nuclear safety and security situation at the plant remains precarious,” Director General Grossi said.

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How Do Nuclear Techniques Help Crime Investigations?

Source: International Atomic Energy Agency – IAEA

Ion beam analysis (IBA) is another nuclear method gaining ground in criminal investigations. For this kind of analysis, ion beam accelerators are used to speed up ions or electrons, producing a beam of charged particles. When samples of forensic evidence are placed into the ion beam, they emit radiation which can be picked up and analysed. Using ions enables investigators to understand the composition and origin of the sample, which can help to analyse drugs, explosive and gunshot residues, fake historical artifacts or art. Determining the age and composition of samples means they can be more effectively used  as evidence in investigations.

Gunshot residues, for example, can help to investigate violent crimes involving firearms. A gunshot residue is a cloud of vapours and particles released from the explosion of a cartridge in a firearm. Nuclear techniques, such as ion beam analysis, help to detect the inorganic components originating from the shot to detect tiny particles on items related to a shooting (e.g. on the suspect’s hands or clothes) in order to confirm the identity of the shooter.

IBA enables investigators to conduct elemental mapping, which helps in the analysis of specific parts of the evidence and detects tiny traces of incriminating substances, such as microscopic particles of residues on particularly small parts of clothing.

Ion beams have also been used to analyse glass shards from hit and run accidents, which could prove useful in investigations of crimes involving vehicles. Studies show that through a combination of IBA and machine learning, glass fragments from car windows can be traced back to various car models and manufacturers with up to 80 per cent accuracy.

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Cancer, Antimicrobial Resistance and Health Emergencies Highlighted by IAEA at WHO Meeting

Source: International Atomic Energy Agency – IAEA

The IAEA is actively assisting low- and middle- income countries to increase access to cancer care as well as supporting other peaceful applications of nuclear science and technology in key health areas, the 154th Executive Board of the World Health Organization (WHO) heard as Meena Singelee, Head of the IAEA Liaison Office in Geneva, delivered the IAEA’s statement. Over the past year, the IAEA worked closely with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and other partners to study antimicrobial resistance; used nuclear techniques to combat malnutrition; and supported Ukraine in a health emergency, the WHO board heard. The longstanding and close partnership between the IAEA and the WHO was also highlighted in the IAEA’s statement to the board in Geneva.  

High-level delegates from ministries of health across the globe were informed of the progress made in providing assistance on cancer care to countries under the IAEA’s Rays of Hope initiative, set up in 2022 by IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi to widen access to diagnostic imaging and radiotherapy in countries where the need is greatest. In 2023, the IAEA initiative has delivered tangible results – from procuring specialized radiotherapy and medical imaging equipment to facilitating the training of 80 medical professionals and establishing the first Rays of Hope Anchor Centres in Africa, Asia and Europe. The Anchor Centres will support the cancer care capacities of neighbouring countries and create opportunities for regional, subregional and integrational advancement.  

The high-level delegates were also updated on the strong collaboration between the IAEA, the WHO and the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). Ten cancer control assessments, known as imPACT Reviews, were coordinated by the IAEA in 2023 and conducted jointly with the IAEA, the WHO and the IARC to assist countries with their national cancer control plans.  

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International Childhood Cancer Day: Bianca Muñiz tells her story

Source: International Atomic Energy Agency – IAEA

Bianca Muñiz is a three times cancer survivor, who was first diagnosed at the age of 11. Her survival story is testament to her resilience, and the power of early detection and advanced treatments in cancer care. Her words are a call for action, to end the inequities in cancer care around the globe.

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World Cancer Day 2024: The IAEA Rays of Hope Initiative Call to Bridge the Cancer Care Gap Faster

Source: International Atomic Energy Agency – IAEA

Bianca Muñiz, three-time cancer survivor was applauded by members of the audience for sharing her moving tale of hope at the IAEA event on cancer in February 2024. (Photo: D. Calma/IAEA)

Newly published data by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) (Globocan 2022) show that cancer cases and deaths worldwide are increasing, not decreasing. “This tells me we need a different approach,” said IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi in his opening statement. “Through Rays of Hope we are doing just that — bringing together the different actors to deliver impactful and lasting change.”

The opening session of the Forum was livestreamed and followed by audience members worldwide in the context of World Cancer Day 2024. The two-day discussion continued with talks from actors at all levels of the cancer care continuum: research centres, cancer care institutions, governments, policymakers and the private sector.

Rays of Hope builds on many years of cancer support to countries, including through imPACT Review missions, national cancer control programmes and support for the preparation of strategic funding documents. Ten imPACT Reviews were coordinated by the IAEA in 2023 and conducted jointly with the IAEA, the WHO and the IARC to assist countries with their national cancer control plans.

The role of innovation and Anchor Centres was also highlighted during the event, with Deniz Yalman, a professor from Ege University in Türkiye — Europe’s only Anchor Centre — taking the floor in a session on the importance of guaranteeing sustainability and quality in cancer management. “The role of Anchor Centres is pivotal to ensure long term solutions that ensure a fully trained body of medical staff is ready to deliver nuclear medicine for diagnosis and treatment safely and securely in each region and country,” she confirmed.

Audience members also heard about other concrete solutions and directions that can accelerate the speed and scale of progress — examples of innovation and research which help cancer centres do more with the tools and techniques that they have; state-of-the-art learning platforms that catalyse education and training at scale; and much needed databases that generate novel insights for targeted and focused action.

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Journeys of IAEA Women Leaders

Source: International Atomic Energy Agency – IAEA

Before joining the IAEA as Director of the Division of Human Health, Abdel-Wahab – a graduate of Cairo University – had over 30 years of experience in patient care, teaching, and research in the field of radiation oncology, specializing in prostate and gastrointestinal cancers. She served on advisory boards, expert panels, and professional journal editorial boards, worked at the National Cancer Institute – Cairo University, was a co-lead of the Lancet Oncology commissions studying cost and access in oncology , and was part of national and international committees, such as the United Nations Joint Programme on the Cervical Cancer Control Steering Committee, and chair of ASTRO committees on diversity, disparity, access to healthcare, and integrated healthcare enterprises, addressing equity, access and quality issues.

Prior to joining IAEA, she was Professor at the Cleveland Clinic Lerner School of Medicine, Case Western University and section head of GI Radiation Oncology at the Cleveland Clinic, USA. At the IAEA, she leads a team that supports radiotherapy and diagnostic imaging centers globally, educates and trains specialists, supports quality assurance, conducts multi-institutional research and produces guidance on codes of practice, radiotherapy and other areas.

She believes in setting lofty goals, and that good mentors are the gold standard for career development, as are supportive parents, inspiring children, and great friends: “It takes a village,” she said.

She gives priority to mentoring the next generation of men and women. Abdel-Wahab’s advice to future leaders is to “embrace challenges and learn how to grow from them”.

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IAEA Empowers African Teachers with Educational Science Kits to Enhance Learning

Source: International Atomic Energy Agency – IAEA

School science teachers from Africa who attended the train the trainer’s course at the Prairie View A&M University in Texas, USA. (Photo: IAEA) 

The educational school kits initiative follows a workshop hosted for secondary school educators from Africa organized by the IAEA and the U.S. Department of Energy’s Argonne National Laboratory, aimed at enhancing their understanding of nuclear science and technology. The training, which took place in November 2023, highlighted the role and impact of nuclear science and technology in different areas of development, including health, agriculture, the environment and more. It also covered teaching approaches, support materials, resources and activities necessary for teaching nuclear science in secondary school. 

“The African teachers who participate in this training have an important role and accountability to facilitate the dissemination of these topics to students, which will motivate the young generation to join nuclear sciences and technology,” said Shaukat Abdulrazak, Director of the Division for Africa at the opening session of the training.

Teachers from 16 African countries attended the training at Prairie View A&M University (PVAMU) in Texas, USA, and activities included school visits, interactions with teachers, and a visit to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to learn about space science. The project is part of an initiative to promote nuclear science and technology education and support African countries in leveraging its benefits.

“I hope the teachers from the African secondary schools who attended this inaugural IAEA training event hosted by PVAMU came away with strengthened technical knowledge of nuclear science and technology,” said Sunaree Hamilton, group leader for IAEA Programs in Argonne’s Strategic Security Sciences division. She added that they can apply this knowledge in the classroom to educate and inspire students throughout the African region.

The IAEA supports professional training in nuclear science and technology education through various technical cooperation projects that address resource limitations and workforce challenges particularly in the field of nuclear science and technology.

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Update 210 – IAEA Director General Statement on Situation in Ukraine

Source: International Atomic Energy Agency – IAEA

Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi took stock of the nuclear safety and security situation at Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) in person this week as part of the ongoing efforts of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to help prevent a nuclear accident during the current conflict.

During his fourth visit to the ZNPP in south-eastern Ukraine since the war began almost two years ago, Director General Grossi noted that there had been no shelling at this major facility since the establishment in May last year at the United Nations Security Council of the five concrete principles for the protection of the plant. These principles state, among others, that there should be no attack of any kind from or against the plant, and that the ZNPP should not be used as a storage or a base for heavy weapons or military personnel that could be used for an attack from the plant.

But he warned against any complacency towards the very real dangers that continue to face Europe’s largest nuclear power plant (NPP). Located on the frontline, it came under fire several times in 2022. It has also lost all off-site power eight times – most recently in December – forcing it to temporarily rely on emergency diesel generators to provide the power it needs for reactor cooling and other important nuclear safety and security functions.  

“We can see that in the observance of the five basic principles established at the United Nations Security Council, the physical integrity of the plant has been relatively stable, which is a positive development, though we take it with enormous caution,” the Director General said at the site at the end of Wednesday’s visit.

Director General Grossi also focused on other nuclear safety and security challenges at the ZNPP, including assessing the plant’s measures in recent months to find an alternative source of cooling water after the destruction in June 2023 of the downstream Kakhovka dam, draining the huge reservoir that had been providing water to the site for decades. Director General Grossi last travelled to the ZNPP just days after the dam collapsed.

To provide a constant supply of water to the sprinkler ponds cooling the site’s six reactors, the plant has drilled 11 wells that are now operating, as witnessed by Director General Grossi this week.

“For now, with all the reactors in shutdown, the plant has sufficient water for its needs. But this is not a sustainable solution, especially if and when it starts producing electricity again,” he said.

Director General Grossi also raised the crucial issue of staffing at the ZNPP, following last week’s announcement by the plant that from 1 February no workers employed by Ukraine’s national operator Energoatom are being allowed at the site. The Director General  was told at the site that the current staffing is enough considering the shutdown state of the plant and that further recruitment is ongoing.

“The number of staff had already been significantly reduced from the pre-war level of some 11,500 employees. Even though the six reactor units are in shutdown, the plant still requires sufficient numbers of qualified personnel to conduct both operational tasks and to ensure that equipment important for nuclear safety and security is properly maintained. We will continue to closely monitor the situation in this regard,” he said.

The Director General also stressed the importance of the teams of IAEA experts present at the site since September 2022 receiving the access they need to monitor adherence to the five concrete principles and also to assess the seven pillars of nuclear safety and security that he outlined early in the conflict, something which has not always been the case.

“It is important that they have access and can ask questions. There were situations where there were suggestions that they look but not talk. That is not good,” he said.

In a positive step, the ZNPP has informed the IAEA experts that they can visit all the main reactor control rooms.

Director General Grossi also went to one of the large turbine halls – of unit 4 – during his visit, as well as the same reactor’s control room, where the presence of experienced staff is especially important. This unit is the only one that is currently in hot shutdown to produce steam and heating, including for the nearby town of Enerhodar, while the five other reactors are in cold shutdown.

He was also able to see the four new diesel steam generators, which recently started operating. The IAEA has been informed that the steam generated by the new equipment will be used to process liquid waste at the plant. The ZNPP has not yet confirmed whether the steam generated by this new equipment will enable it to also place unit 4 in cold shutdown. Earlier this week, the IAEA team of experts observed liquid waste being treated in a special building, using the steam from the new diesel steam generators.

Accompanying the Director General, a new group of IAEA experts replaced the previous Agency team at the site. It is the 16th team of the IAEA Support and Assistance Mission to Zaporizhzhya (ISAMZ) since it was established on 1 September 2022.

Director General Grossi said the visit had confirmed the crucial role of the IAEA’s permanent presence at the site and that its job was not yet done.

“Until the conflict ends without a nuclear accident with radiological consequences, we will not be able to say that our job is complete. We continue and today has been an important part of this effort,” he added.

The IAEA teams stationed at the other four sites in Ukraine continue to perform their activities despite frequent air raid alarms. The team at the Khmelnytskyy NPP was required to take shelter yesterday.

The IAEA is also continuing to support nuclear safety and security in Ukraine by delivering equipment and other assistance. In the past two weeks, two new deliveries took place, taking the total so far to 36. Thanks to funding by the United Kingdom, new equipment has been provided to the Rivne and South Ukraine NPPs as well as to the Izotop facility for radiation protection purposes or to complement available physical protection measures.

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Japan Informs IAEA About Incident at Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station

Source: International Atomic Energy Agency – IAEA

Japan’s Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO), the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station (FDNPS) operator, today informed the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) that water containing radioactive materials was found to have leaked from a caesium absorption tower at the plant. The estimated 5,5 cubic metres (m3) of water was assessed to have leaked from a valve left open during cleaning work at the absorption tower.

The leaked water was from the system filtering water as part of the ongoing decommissioning activities at the site. The event is not related to the discharge of the Advanced Liquid Processing System (ALPS) treated water.

TEPCO has confirmed that there was no significant fluctuation in radiation measurements recorded at the site. The event does not pose any risk to the public and there is no environmental impact off-site.  

The IAEA was informed that at around 8:53 AM today a contractor at the FDNPS noted that water had leaked from a caesium absorption tower within the High Temperature Incinerator Building, a facility used to remove caesium and strontium from contaminated water collected at the site. Water being used to flush the valves in preparation for valve inspection leaked through an open valve. Workers at the site closed the valve at 9:10 AM and the water stopped leaking at 9:16 AM.

TEPCO conducted an assessment and confirmed to the IAEA that the leaked water is a mix of contaminated water from the absorption system and filtered water used for cleaning. TEPCO calculated that the leakage totalled around 5,5 m3 of water containing an estimated 0,022 Terabecquerel (TBq) of radioactive substances.

TEPCO assessed that the water may have resulted in minor contamination to the soil surrounding the absorption tower and has taken precautionary measures. It has restricted access to the area and has collected soil for analysis.

Japan’s Nuclear Regulatory Authority has been informed and inspectors at the plant are conducting an on-site investigation.

The IAEA remains in contact with authorities in Japan.

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IAEA Director General Visits Zaporizhzhya for the Fourth Time

Source: International Atomic Energy Agency – IAEA

The IAEA Director General and his team have visited Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant for the fourth time since the start of the conflict. They were there to assess the status of current power and cooling systems essential for the safety of the plant, and the levels of qualified staff, among others.