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