IAEA Background Guide, AMUN'11
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Transcript of IAEA Background Guide, AMUN'11
IAEA AMUN’2011
INTERNATIONAL ATOMIC ENERGY AGENCY
About IAEA
International Atomic Energy Agency is an international
Organization which seeks to establish peaceful uses of
nuclear energy. IAEA was establishes on 29th July, 1957.
It has its headquarters in Vienna, Austria. The IAEA
reports both to General Assembly and the Security
Council. IAEA strongly condemns misuse of nuclear
energy and aims at promoting safe use of nuclear
energy including protection from harmful radiations from nuclear emissions.
Goals and objectives
We at AMUN, IAEA, aim at finding some concrete and original ideas in order to
facilitate rehabilitation of regions surrounding nuclear plants but also those
which are affected by the adverse effects of radiation that is caused. IAEA
facilitates use of nuclear energy for peaceful uses considering it as a clean and
renewable source of energy. Solutions on world stage need to be assessed and
implemented to make nuclear energy also a safe energy source.
IAEA AMUN’2011
AGENDA:
Rehabilitation of areas affected due to radioactivity
Introduction
Continuous debate on Global Warming has shifted the trend to clean and
renewable sources of energy. And one of these embraces the Nuclear Energy.
Though Nuclear Energy raises serious concerns but it undeniably has its benefits.
Considering the past incidents, the Three Mile Island and Chernobyl accidents
should never be downplayed. The recent Japan Crisis stands as an eye
opener too. These are the only major accidents to have occurred in
over 14,500 cumulative reactor-years of commercial operation in
32 countries.
Being the International Atomic Energy Agency, there is a
need for some concrete solutions to be taken to avert
such catastrophic disasters to happen in future, but
also reduce the amount of radioactivity being
generated and protect those affected or being
affected by it.
What is Radioactivity? Radioactivity is an impulsive emission of radioactive substances from an unstable atomic nucleus which is trying to become stable by throwing out energy and particles as a result of a nuclear reaction. Release of radioactive substances and energy causes destruction in the atmosphere around. It affects not only biodiversity but also the human life.
IAEA AMUN’2011
Accidents in the past
1. Three Mile Island - March 28, 1979
The Three Mile Island -2, near Middletown, Pennsylvania USA, was a result of a severe damage to the reactor core. The INES level was recorded as 5. The main reasons which lead to the significant damages to the reactor were: equipment malfunctions, design related problems and worker errors. There was however no injuries or adverse health effects from the Three Mile Island accident. In 2009, the operating license was renewed, extending it life by 20 years to 2034 ( TMI-1) .
2. Chernobyl – April 26 , 1986
Chernobyl disaster was an upshot of an
explosion in its core due to power
increase. The radiation level was
estimated 5.6 roentgens per second,
INES level 7. The catastrophe affected
the groundwater, flora and fauna, rivers,
agriculture, livestock drastically. The
number of thyroid cancer patients
augmented. The incident affected most
of the rural population which were
situated around the vicinity. Many recovery projects were launched one of them
initiated by United Nations Development Program.
IAEA AMUN’2011
3. Fukushima - March 12 ,2011
Japan’s nuclear crisis was much worse than
one could think. Fukushima Daiichi nuclear
power complex began operating in the 1970.
The Reactor had shutdown after the Sendai
earthquake and tsunami. Failure of
emergency cooling caused an explosion in
the reactor.
Other Nuclear power station accidents:
Year Incident INES level
Country IAEA description
2011 Onagawa - Japan Reactor shutdown after the 2011 Sendai earthquake and tsunami caused a fire
2006 Fleurus 4 Belgium Severe health effects for a worker at a commercial irradiation facility as a result of high doses of radiation
2005 Sellafield 3 UK Release of large quantity of radioactive material, contained within the installation
1999 Tokaimura 4 Japan Fatal overexposures of workers following a criticality event at a nuclear facility
1999 Yanangio 3 Peru Incident with radiography source resulting in severe radiation burns
1993 Tomsk 4 Russia Pressure buildup led to an explosive mechanical failure
1989 Greifswald Germany Excessive heating which damaged ten fuel rods
1981 Tsuraga 2 Japan More than 100 workers were exposed to doses of up to 155 millirem per day radiation
1980 Saint Laurent des Eaux
4 France Melting of one channel of fuel in the reactor with no release outside the site
IAEA AMUN’2011
Impact of radioactivity on the environment and human
Release of radioactive products in the
atmosphere causes a change in the chemical,
meteorological and its physical composition.
Such radioactive material is generally
transported to far of places through water
movement. Regular monitoring data show a
steady decrease in the radionuclide content of
water bodies with time. Radiation can cause genetic mutations in growing plants
which can hurt their ability to survive.
The period radioactive material will stay in the environment depends on the type
of material. Strontium-90 is only radioactive for 53 days. Uranium-235 in the
environment will remain radioactive for over 700 million years. Uranium-238
will remain radioactive for 4.5 billion years. Rubidium remains radioactive for 47
million years.
It not only has significant effect on
plants and biodiversity, but human
health is widely affected.
It causes radiation sickness, cancer,
burning. But the side effects of these
are numerous and various plus very
long terms like even in the children and
grandchildren of the affected (causes breaks in chromosomes and impairs the
development of an unborn). There is currently no effective medical treatment
available for potentially fatal radiation doses.
IAEA AMUN’2011
Prevention to Radioactivity
It should be taken into consideration that most of the past nuclear disasters
have been a reason of usage of old technology. Nations should ensure
that once an up gradation of the nuclear plant is needed should be carried
out immediately. Nuclear plants installed should be of the latest designs.
Accurate education (from the primary level itself) should be given to the
general public, so that steps can be taken in order to curtail the regular
impact of radiation. Workers in nuclear plants should be accurately taught
and trained. The objective is to minimize human errors.
Nuclear plants should be installed away from human and animal habitats.
Proper Disposal of Nuclear waste should be carried out.
Special Institutions should be set up in various nations to ensure Nuclear
Safety time and again like Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (India), Federal
Atomic Energy Agency (Russia) etc.
Rehabilitation of International territories
There is an urgent need for rehabilitation of the Arctic seas from the sunken potential - dangerous objects containing nuclear and radioactive materials Dumping of nuclear waste has affected international territories like the Arctic
Sea. This has widely affected the marine life. Nations should come together and
find considerable solutions to the issue.
Some of the measures that can take to rehabilitate the Arctic region from
radioactivity are:
1. Carrying out technical operations underwater to pinpoint the radiation
source.
2. Salvaging and utilizing the radiation objects.
3. The dump material should be under constant monitoring.
IAEA AMUN’2011
Rehabilitation of Regions - Possible Solutions
Ensuring free medical facilities to
those affected by radioactivity.
Immediate evacuation of the region
under serious concern. Also ensuring
apt shelter on contrary.
Spreading maximum awareness to the
general public.
Ensuring availability of basic
necessities and needs of the people
affected.
Establish a fenced off the nuclear Forest Recovery Zone.
Plant native deciduous and conifer trees, along with hyper-
accumulating mycorrhizal mushrooms, particularly all native pines.
Investing enough for research in the field of medicines to curb
potentially fatal radiations.
Questions to be considered
1. What is the stand of your country on usage of nuclear energy?
2. What has been the role play of your country in rehabilitation of regions surrounding the nuclear
plants?
3. How a past nuclear accident was embarked upon, and what were steps taken there after?
4. What are the locations of nuclear plants in the country?
5. Has your country signed any treaty, or is part of other agencies?
6. What steps have been taken to prevent any future nuclear accidents?
7. Which technology has been used in the nuclear plants in your country?
IAEA AMUN’2011
Research Sites
www.iaea.org
http://www.nirs.org
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-13678627
http://www.world-nuclear.org
http://www.fas.org
http://www.carnegieendowment.org