Category: Nuclear Energy

Source: International Atomic Energy Agency – IAEA

Norway is the latest IAEA Member State to team up with the Agency’s Department of Safeguards by establishing a Member State Support Programme (MSSP). The partnership, formally signed on 27 September 2023, will see Norway working closely with the IAEA to address challenges and opportunities in the field of nuclear safeguards.

Nuclear safeguards are technical measures, embedded in bilateral agreements between the IAEA and a State, which are implemented by the IAEA to provide the international community with assurances that nuclear material remains in peaceful use.

“By establishing a MSSP, Norway intends to help the IAEA strengthen the Agency’s nuclear verification system,” said Per Strand, Director General of the Norwegian Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority. “Norway has a long association with the IAEA and was the very first country to have an IAEA safeguards inspection in 1962. I’m delighted that the new MSSP with the IAEA bolsters this long relationship.”

MSSPs extend support to the IAEA in various forms, including knowledge exchange, technology transfer, expert collaboration and financial support. These efforts collectively assist the IAEA in its mission to verify the peaceful use of nuclear materials while staying at the forefront of advancements in nuclear technology.

“MSSPs are one of the primary ways States can help strengthen the effectiveness and efficiency of Agency safeguards,” said Massimo Aparo, Deputy Director General and Head of the Department of Safeguards.   “By leveraging the impressive array of expertise and talent from Norway, I am confident we can accomplish great things together.”

The establishment of Norway’s MSSP marks a significant addition to the network of active support programmes across the world, which has now reached 24. This partnership will allow the IAEA to work closely with Norway on a range of projects including advancing safeguards by design for new or modified facilities; training of IAEA safeguards inspectors; and developing and testing new spent fuel measurement methods. 

“Norway recognizes the paramount importance of the IAEA maintaining the highest standards in international nuclear safeguards,” said Susan Eckey, Permanent Representative of Norway to the International Organizations in Vienna. “By joining the IAEA’s Member State Support Programme, we aim to contribute to global efforts in this critical area. This partnership underscores our dedication to verifying the peaceful use of nuclear material worldwide.”

Source: International Atomic Energy Agency – IAEA

A radioactive gas that has no colour, smell or taste, radon is produced in the ground from uranium and diffuses into the atmosphere. Accounting for around a half of all human exposure to radiation, this gas is also the most common cause of lung cancer after smoking. It occurs naturally in significant quantities in three different chemical variations, or isotopes, but only two of these present a risk. In this article we explain the facts about radon and address the most common concerns: Read the full article. 

Find more “Nuclear Explained” articles, as well as videos and podcasts in this series, here.  

Source: International Atomic Energy Agency – IAEA

This year saw several key events which underscored the IAEA’s commitment to nuclear safety and security.  

The international community was given scientific assurances on the negligible environmental impact of the treated water release from Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station. In the first independent sampling since the start of treated water discharges at the power plant, the IAEA found tritium levels well below Japan’s limits. This effort aligned with IAEA’s decade-long commitment to assisting Japan in credible and transparent marine monitoring following  2011’s nuclear accident.  

The IAEA carried on with its important work in Ukraine, with multiple in-person continued expert missions to nuclear power plants across the country, including Zaporizhzhia NPP, with the goal of lowering the risk of a nuclear accident despite the active conflict situation. 

The Director General led a number of missions in person and promoted key safety principles at the highest international levels. 

Enhancing Global Nuclear Security through Specialized Training  

A major highlight was the inauguration of IAEA Nuclear Security Training and Demonstration Centre on 3 October. Since its opening, the centre has held nine training sessions, engaging about 260 participants.  

This unique facility is designed to address countries’ needs in capacity building. It offers 23 specialized training courses using the state-of-the-art technical infrastructure. Covering aspects like physical protection and detection and response to criminal or intentional unauthorized acts involving nuclear or other radioactive material, the centre fosters expertise and supports global efforts against nuclear terrorism. Additionally, it includes specialized training for countries involved in or planning to join ‘Rays of Hope’, focusing on securing radioactive materials and facilities in cancer care. 

Global Collaboration on Nuclear Safety and Security  

An IAEA conference in Abu Dhabi addressed evolving challenges in the nuclear regulatory field, emphasizing safety amidst rapid technological advances, shifting regulatory landscapes, and emerging threats like climate-related hazards. 

Another significant event, the International Conference on the Safety of Radioactive Waste Management, Decommissioning, Environmental Protection and Remediation attracted over 600 stakeholders. Collaboration with multiple international and national bodies as well as representatives from institutions and organizations ensured an informative exchange on safety and sustainability of topical areas discussed during this event.  

In addition, the 20th Anniversary of the IAEA’s Code of Conduct on the Safety and Security of Radioactive Sources celebrated ongoing collaborative efforts among 149 countries to ensure the safety and security of radioactive sources throughout their lifecycle. 

Upcoming in 2024: The IAEA is preparing for the International Conference on Nuclear Security (ICONS 2024) in Vienna. This event will gather global policymakers and experts to discuss policy, technology, capacity building, and cross-cutting topics in nuclear security. ICONS aims to foster collaboration, share best practices, and reinforce the IAEA’s pivotal role in global nuclear security efforts. 

Source: International Atomic Energy Agency – IAEA

Bangladesh, Bolivia, Cameroon and Ghana will participate in the next cycle of the IAEA Comprehensive Capacity-Building Initiative for State systems of accounting for and control of nuclear material (SSACs) and State and Regional Authorities responsible for safeguards implementation (SRAs). The initiative, commonly known as COMPASS, involves partnering with the State to help them strengthen the effectiveness of their SSAC and SRA.

“I am delighted to welcome the next group of States to receive safeguards support through COMPASS,” said Rafael Mariano Grossi, Director General of the IAEA. “Cooperation between the State and the IAEA is a crucial element in the implementation of safeguards. Based on the results and lessons learned from COMPASS’s pilot phase, we will work closely with this new group of States to provide the tools and knowledge they need to fulfil their safeguards obligations effectively and efficiently.”

Through safeguards, the IAEA verifies that States are honouring their international legal commitments to use nuclear material and technology only for peaceful purposes. Launched in September 2020 by the Director General, COMPASS provides comprehensive safeguards assistance tailored to a State’s needs. During its initial pilot phase, seven States received support from the IAEA and COMPASS’s implementing partners in the areas of outreach; legal and regulatory frameworks; training; information technology; procurement; and related expertise. The IAEA successfully concluded the pilot phase in March 2023.

The individual needs of new COMPASS States will be assessed through an IAEA Safeguards and SSAC advisory service (ISSAS) mission at the start of the new implementation phase, which will begin in January 2024. COMPASS activities will then be conducted collaboratively between the State and the IAEA, with the in-kind and/or financial support of individual IAEA Member States and Member State Support Programmes.  

“I am excited that Ghana has been chosen to take part in the next phase of COMPASS”, said Nii Kwashie Allotey, the Director General of the Nuclear Regulatory Authority for Ghana. “Ghana is committed to working with the IAEA to fulfil its international nuclear verification obligations. We believe that being part of COMPASS will provide Ghana the support it needs to facilitate the optimal implementation of Agency safeguards.”

As per their respective comprehensive safeguards agreements with the IAEA, 182 States are obliged to establish and maintain an SSAC. As the State’s mechanism through which it declares to the IAEA the location, uses and quantities of nuclear material in the country, SSACs are important components of IAEA-State cooperation. The need for a robust SSAC becomes particularly evident when a State is at a pivotal juncture in the development of its nuclear fuel cycle or associated legislation. This includes the planning and construction of a new nuclear facility, agreeing to the revised text of a small quantities protocol, or bringing into force an additional protocol — each of which entail new reporting obligations for the State.

“The COMPASS initiative has been a game changer for Malaysia”, said Nurul Hafiza binti Mohamed Aliasrudin, Assistant Director of the Nuclear Installation Division at the Malaysian Department of Atomic Energy. Malaysia was one of the seven States who participated in the pilot phase of COMPASS. “In two years, COMPASS helped us review safeguards regulations, develop technical guidelines and license conditions, and also enhance the training within the national safeguards authority,” said Nurul Hafiza binti Mohamed Aliasrudin.

The IAEA provides a suite of safeguards assistance to States. In addition to COMPASS, States can request and access support including ISSAS missions; national, regional, and inter-regional training offerings; e-learning modules; and the safeguards traineeship programme.

Find out more about IAEA safeguards assistance for States

Source: International Atomic Energy Agency – IAEA

A record number of 31 disused sealed radioactive sources (DSRSs) were removed from Chile earlier this year, and transferred to a recycling facility abroad, in a large removal operation supported by the IAEA. The removed radioactive sources were mainly cobalt sources previously used for cancer treatment in Chile’s hospitals and clinics. Since the end of their use in 1992, they have been in temporary storage at a specialized facility managed by the Chilean Nuclear Energy Commission (CCHEN). 

The DSRSs transfer operation is part of an IAEA interregional project aimed at improving nuclear safety and security by providing comprehensive technical assistance for the sustainable management of DSRSs.

“Chile’s case of DSRSs management is a successful example of how effective international cooperation can benefit national and global nuclear security,” said Elena Buglova, Director of the IAEA’s Division of Nuclear Security. “The IAEA strongly encourages countries to establish a national policy and strategy for safe and secure DSRSs management, and offers its assistance to those countries that would like to invest in a sustainable approach.”

In Chile, radioactive material and sealed radioactive sources are used mostly for industrial applications, for example in measuring parameters such as thickness and density of materials; in medicine for diagnosis and treatment purposes; as well as for research purposes. The DSRSs represent about half of the radioactive material received yearly in waste management facilities from different activities around the country.

“The removal of these sources has multiple benefits for the CCHEN and the whole country, and it is in line with the circular economy objectives, in terms of recycling and reuse,” said Luis Huerta Torchio, Executive Director at the Chilean Nuclear Energy Commission. “The removal has significantly reduced the risk for any type of incident associated with these disused sources. In addition, it freed up to 30 per cent of space in the national storage facility used for disused radioactive sources, and subsequently extended the possibility of its use for about ten more years,” he added.

The operational plan was agreed among involved parties, namely the IAEA, the end-user representing Chile, and the contractor, in December 2021. The operation involved the physical and the radiological verification of the radioactive sources, the appropriate packaging for transport, the transportation, and as a last step, the shipment and export to a recycling facility in Europe. The export of the first 17 sources was made in October 2022, while 14 more were exported in July 2023.

“The IAEA technically oversaw the removal of the sources from Chile to ensure that it was performed safely and securely. An operation of this scale cannot succeed without the dedicated efforts of organizations like CCHEN, skilled contractors, and the regulatory bodies involved,” said Olena Mykolaichuk, Director of the IAEA’s Division of Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Waste Technology, adding that “the experience gained is invaluable and represents a model that can be applied for future projects in other countries.”

IAEA project helps 34 countries with management of disused sealed radioactive sources

Effective and continuous regulatory and management control of radioactive sources is of utmost importance in preventing unauthorized use, accidents or malicious acts with harmful radiological consequences. Once sealed radioactive sources reach the end of their useful life, the safe, secure and sustainable long term management of DSRSs is essential to reduce radiation hazards to the public and the environment. This is because DSRSs may still contain large amounts of radioactivity and may emit ionizing radiation.

Common needs and goals for the safe, secure and sustainable management of DSRSs through their entire life cycles are addressed under an IAEA project launched in 2019 and funded by Canada, which is currently in its first phase and includes countries from Latin America, Africa and the Pacific region. Increased interest in this project has resulted in the implementation of a second phase of the project, inaugurated in November 2022 with 24 newcomer countries — more than double the number of countries which joined the first phase. The second phase of the project will last three years and will take on a broadened scope to address new needs related to the long-term management of DSRSs.

“The increase in the number of participating countries indicates the success of the first phase of the project, the global interest in the safe and secure handling of DSRSs and, at the same time, the amount of work that remains to be done in this field,” said Hildegarde Vandenhove, Director of the IAEA’s Division of Radiation, Transport and Waste Safety. “It also underscores the importance of collective efforts to support and sustain such a technical assistance mechanism. It is an IAEA priority to build sustainable capacity for the management of DSRSs.”

Source: International Atomic Energy Agency – IAEA

Increasing universal understanding — the additional symbol

The trefoil was initially created to mark radioactive material used in controlled environments, such as laboratories, where people who had access to the material would already know its meaning. Over the years, the use of radioactive material in medicine, agriculture and industry has become more widespread.

Consequently, radioactive material or radiation emitting devices can be found not just in research laboratories and nuclear power plants, but also in hospitals, as well as in industrial equipment, for example in X ray security equipment used in airports.

In the past, due to lack of knowledge people would endanger themselves and others because they did not understand the meaning of the symbol. For example, in a few instances around the world, scrap metal collectors and construction workers were exposed to radiation by taking and handling misplaced radioactive sources they had found in scrap yards or on construction sites, because they did not understand the ‘warning signage’.

To improve nuclear safety and security, in 2007 the IAEA and the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) introduced a supplementary symbol designed to be universally understood as ‘Danger — Run Away — Do Not Touch!’.

To determine which symbol would better convey the radiation risk to the public, the IAEA conducted a survey covering 11 countries in different parts of the world. The result was the ‘Ionizing-radiation warning — Supplementary Symbol’, a red triangle that depicts radiation waves, a skull and a running human figure. It was launched as a supplement to the more commonly used ionizing radiation symbol with the intention of further reducing the possibility of accidental exposure to ionizing radiation.