Nuclear Safety: International Consensus

Gobierno de Chile: Comisión Nacional de Energía

Seminario Evaluación de la Opción Nuclear para Chile

Hotel Hyatt, Las Condes, Santiago, Chile; Enero 28, 2010

Gobierno de Chile: Comisión Nacional de Energía

Seminario Evaluación de la Opción Nuclear para Chile

Hotel Hyatt, Las Condes, Santiago, Chile; Enero 28, 2010

Nuclear Safety: International ConsensusNuclear Safety: International Consensus

Abel J. GonzálezRepresentante: Comité de las Naciones Unidas para el Estudio de los Efectos de las Radiaciones Atómicas

Vicepresidente de la Comisión Internacional de Protección Radiológica

Miembro de la Comisión de Estándares de Seguridad del OIEA

Autoridad Regulatoria Nuclear de Argentina

Av. Del Libertador 8250; Av. Del Libertador 8250; (1429)(1429)Buenos AiresBuenos Aires,Argentina,Argentina+54 1163231758;+54 1163231758;[email protected]@arn.gob.ar

Abel J. GonzálezRepresentante: Comité de las Naciones Unidas para el Estudio de los Efectos de las Radiaciones Atómicas

Vicepresidente de la Comisión Internacional de Protección Radiológica

Miembro de la Comisión de Estándares de Seguridad del OIEA

Autoridad Regulatoria Nuclear de Argentina

Av. Del Libertador 8250; Av. Del Libertador 8250; (1429)(1429)Buenos AiresBuenos Aires,Argentina,Argentina+54 1163231758;+54 1163231758;[email protected]@arn.gob.ar

ContentContent

1. The International System:

consensus on

a) Radiation Health Effects

b) Protection Paradigm

c) Nuclear Safety Regime

2. Chile within the System

1. The International System:

consensus on

a) Radiation Health Effects

b) Protection Paradigm

c) Nuclear Safety Regime

2. Chile within the System

3

How the international

system works?

How the international

system works?

2010 Seminar, Santiago, Chile

22 April 2023 4

Epistemology of radiation Method, validity and scope of the scientific

knowledge on radiation

Radiation Protection Paradigm Conceptual model for keeping people protected

Global Nuclear Safety Regime

Establishing international safety standards and providing for their global application

http://www.icrp.org/

22 April 2023 5

The United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of

Atomic Radiation (UNSCEAR) deals with the epistemology


6WNU-Ankara 200822 April 2023

International Estimates of the

Levels of Radiation Exposure

International Estimates of the

Levels of Radiation Exposure

Sources

Natural

Cosmic rays

Terrestrial

Inhalation

[radon]

Natural

Cosmic rays

Terrestrial

Inhalation

[radon]

Artificial

Medical

Military

Nuclear Power

Occupational

Accidents

Artificial

Medical

Military

Nuclear Power

Occupational

Accidents

Radiation Dose Amount of radiation energy absorbed by tissue per unit mass

Measured in Sieverts

Amount of radiation energy absorbed by tissue per unit mass

Measured in Sieverts

Radioactivity(bequerels)Radioactivity(bequerels)

The unit of dose is the Sievert [Sv](0.001 Sv = 1 milliSievert [mSv])

The unit of dose is the Sievert [Sv](0.001 Sv = 1 milliSievert [mSv])

How much is a mSv?How much is a mSv?

1 radiography = 1 mSv; 1CT = 50 mSv1 radiography = 1 mSv; 1CT = 50 mSv

1 year of natural radiation = 1 – 10 mSv1 year of natural radiation = 1 – 10 mSv

Releases from NPP <<0.1 mSvReleases from NPP <<0.1 mSv

How much is a mSv?How much is a mSv?

1 radiography = 1 mSv; 1CT = 50 mSv1 radiography = 1 mSv; 1CT = 50 mSv

1 year of natural radiation = 1 – 10 mSv1 year of natural radiation = 1 – 10 mSv

Releases from NPP <<0.1 mSvReleases from NPP <<0.1 mSv

10

annual dose mSv/year

~100

~ 10

~ 2.4

~ 1

Natural Background

TYPICALLY HIGHTYPICALLY HIGH

AVERAGE AVERAGE

MINIMUM MINIMUM

VERY HIGHVERY HIGHFew peopleIn few areas

Many peopleIn many areas

Majority of peoplearound the world

12OSU, Stillwater, OK, USA, February 2008

Medical sources

CT scans by year in US (millions)

18.3 19.521.0

22.625.1 26.3

30.6

34.9

39.6

45.4

50.1

53.9

57.6

62.0

0.0

10.0

20.0

30.0

40.0

50.0

60.0

70.0

1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006

No.

of

pro

cedure

s (

millions)

Annual growth of >10% per year

Computerized tomography (CT)

Annual growth > 10%/yr

U.S. population < 1%/yr

procedures by year (millions)

crick

UNSCEAR 2006 report?

Military activitiesMilitary activities

Nuclear weapons tests

A tm ospher ic te sts

U nderground tes ts

1945100

50

0

50

100

150

NUMBER

1 950 1955 1960 1965 1970 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000

Doses due to atmospheric nuclear testing

Occupational exposures

Man-made sources Natural sources

0 10 20 30

Millionsexposed

Artificial

Natural

Civil nuclear power

Global average levels

Source: UNSCEAR 2000 Report

Annual per caput dose (mSv)

Annual per caput dose (mSv) for USA

In summary:

Medical uses

rather than

nuclear power

is responsible

of increased

radiation

levels

In summary:

Medical uses

rather than

nuclear power

is responsible

of increased

radiation

levels

What are the health effects attribuatble to

radiation exposure?

What are the health effects attribuatble to

radiation exposure?



Overall

UNSCEAR

conclusion

Overall

UNSCEAR

conclusion

22 April 2023

Dose

(mSv) Dose

(mSv)

Likelihoodofradiationeffects

~1000~1000

Certainty(100%)

~100~100

Bu

rns,

sic

knes

s &

dea

thB

urn

s, s

ickn

ess

& d

eath

Increasing risk of cancerIncreasing risk of cancer

Epidemiology Statistical estimation:

populations

Limit of epidemiological

knowledge

Limit of epidemiological

knowledge

Pathology Clinical diagnosis:

individuals

Pathology Clinical diagnosis:

individuals

Limit of pathological knowledge

Limit of pathological knowledge

5%5%

28

BiologyInference BiologyInference

Deterministic effects

Deterministic effects

Stochastic effects

Stochastic effects

Radiation protection region


Background incidence Background incidence

backgroundannual dosebackgroundannual dose

Plausibility of stochastic effects, pp Plausibility of stochastic effects, pp

Dose, DDDose, DD

increment ofppincrement ofpp

increment ofDDincrement ofDD

average 2.4 mSvtypical 10 mSvhigh 100 mSv

average 2.4 mSvtypical 10 mSvhigh 100 mSv

risk factor risk

factor

2922 April 2023



30

Dose (mSv)

Certainty

(100%)

epidemiology pathology

Risk estimation

Risk estimation

Collective attributionCollective attribution

Individual attributionIndividual attribution

22 April 2023

Likelihood of Health Effect

The International

Protection Paradigm

The International

Protection Paradigm

22 April 2023 312010 Seminar, Santiago, Chile

22 April 2023 32

The International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) deals with the

paradigm


33

ICRP Basic Principles

Justification of any endeavor or action that entails a

change in the level of radiation exposure.

Optimization of radiation protection and safety.

Restriction of individual doses attributable to a given

situation and also of the probability of incurring doses.

Justification of any endeavor or action that entails a

change in the level of radiation exposure.

Optimization of radiation protection and safety.

Restriction of individual doses attributable to a given

situation and also of the probability of incurring doses.

Are these principles necessary and

sufficient from the point of view of ethics?

Are these principles necessary and

sufficient from the point of view of ethics?

Teleological(consequence)

Utilitarian(utility)

Deontological(duty)

Areatic(virtue)

Doctrines on

Ethics

TeleologicalMind the ends, which

justify the means

UtilitarianDo the greatest good

for the greatest number of people

DeontologicalNot do unto

others what they should not do

unto you

Areatic be virtuous, wise

and prudent, aim at humanity

EthicalAphorisms

Justificationof Actions

Optimizationof Protection

IndividualRestrictions

Prudence(commitment

&environment)

ProtectionPrinciples

Justification=

Teleology

Optimization=

Utility

Limitation=

Deontology

Prudence=

Areatic

Ethicsof

Protection

Teleology & JustificationTeleology & Justification

• The ends or

consequences of a

protective action

should determine its

morality, namely

whether such act is

good or evil

• The ends or

consequences of a

protective action

should determine its

morality, namely

whether such act is

good or evil

• Any decision that

alters the radiation

exposure situation

should do more good

than harm

• Any decision that

alters the radiation

exposure situation

should do more good

than harm

Utility & OptimizationUtility & Optimization

• The morality of

protective actions

should be judged

against its contribution

to the overall utility,

namely to the best

welfare among all

people.

• The morality of

protective actions

should be judged

against its contribution

to the overall utility,

namely to the best

welfare among all

people.

• The level of radiation

protection should be

the best under the

prevailing

circumstances,

maximizing the margin

of benefit over harm.

• The level of radiation


the best under the

prevailing

circumstances,

maximizing the margin

of benefit over harm.

Deontology & Individual ProtectionDeontology & Individual Protection

• The morality of


judged by the

goodness or rightness

caused by the

protective actions on

specific individuals,

and not only by their

overall consequences

or utility.

• The morality of


judged by the

goodness or rightness

caused by the

protective actions on

specific individuals,

and not only by their

overall consequences

or utility.

• Inequitable protection

options should be

prevented by

restricting individual

doses (dose limits,

constraints and

reference levels)

• Inequitable protection

options should be

prevented by

restricting individual

doses (dose limits,

constraints and

reference levels)

Areatism & PrecautionAreatism & Precaution

• The focal point for

judging the moral of

protective actions

should be their

virtuosity rather than

their consequences,

utility or duty.



protective actions

should be their

virtuosity rather than

their consequences,

utility or duty.

• Protection should be

provided to both,

present and future

generations and their

environment, against

scientifically plausible

radiation harm even if

it is uncertain.

• Protection should be

provided to both,

present and future

generations and their

environment, against

scientifically plausible

radiation harm even if

it is uncertain.



protective actions

should be their

virtuosity and not only

their consequences,

utility or duty.



protective actions

should be their

virtuosity and not only

their consequences,

utility or duty.

Justification=

Teleology

Optimization=

Utility

Limitation=

Deontology

Prudence=

Areatic

Ethicsof

Protection

Ethical MatrixEthical Matrix

Teleology

(consequ.)

Utilitarian

(utility)

Deontology

(duty)

Areatic

(virtue)

Antropo-centric

Eco-centric

DoneDone

Being doneBeing done

Objectives of radiation protection of the environment

Objectives of radiation protection of the environment

• to maintain biological diversity,

• to ensure the conservation of species, and

• to protect the health and status of natural

habitats, communities, and ecosystems

• to maintain biological diversity,

• to ensure the conservation of species, and

• to protect the health and status of natural

habitats, communities, and ecosystems

ICRP RecommendationsPublished by Elsivier

2008 Recommendations of the International Commission on

Radiological Protection

Volume 37, Issue 1-3, 2008

The International

Nuclear Safety Regime

The International

Nuclear Safety Regime


22 April 2023 48

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is responsible for the global regime


22 April 2023 49

The IAEA is the only organ within the UN

system with specific statutory responsibilities

on radiation protection and safety

The IAEA is the only organ within the UN

system with specific statutory responsibilities

on radiation protection and safety2010 Seminar, Santiago, Chile

22 April 2023 50

IAEA Functions

Verifying Peaceful Uses

Developing & Transferring Technology

Providing for Protection and Safety

Verifying Peaceful Uses

Developing & Transferring Technology

Providing for Protection and Safety


22 April 2023 51

“For their efforts

[i] to prevent nuclear energy from being used for military purposes and

[ii] to ensure that nuclear energy for peaceful purposes is

used in the safest possible way“

“For their efforts

[i] to prevent nuclear energy from being used for military purposes and

[ii] to ensure that nuclear energy for peaceful purposes is

used in the safest possible way“

The Nobel Peace PrizeThe Nobel Peace Prize

20052005

The Nobel Peace PrizeThe Nobel Peace Prize

20052005


22 April 2023 52

to establish standards

to establish standards

to provide for their applicationto provide for

their application

to service international conventionsto service international conventions

IAEA

statutory safety functions

IAEA

statutory safety functions


Legally Binding

ConventionsLegally Binding

Conventions

Convention on Early Notification of a Nuclear Accident

Convention on Assistance in the Case of a Nuclear Accident or Radiological Emergency

Convention on Nuclear Safety

Joint Convention on the Safety of Spent Fuel Management and on the

Safety of Radioactive Waste Management

Convention on Physical Protection of Nuclear Material

22 April 2023 59

International

Radiation Safety

Standards

International

Radiation Safety

Standards


22 April 2023 60

Commissionon Safety Standards

(CSS)

Nuclear Safety StandardsCommittee(NUSSC)

Radiation Safety StandardsCommittee(RASSC)

Waste Safety StandardsCommittee(WASSC)

Transport Safety StandardsCommittee(TRANSSC)

Expert Groups Expert Groups Expert Groups Expert Groups

IAEA Board of Governors

22 April 2023 61

Long experience

1962: first

international

standards.

Long experience

1962: first

international

standards.

22 April 2023 62

Safety Standards Hierarchy

Safety GuidesSafety Guides

Safety RequirementsSafety Requirements

Safety FundamentalsSafety Fundamentals


http://www-pub.iaea.org/MTCD/publications/PDF/Pub1273c_web.pdf

http://www-ns.iaea.org/standards/http://www-ns.iaea.org/standards/

22 April 2023 65

rendering

APPRAISAL SERVICES

coordinating

RESEARCH &

DEVELOPMENT

fostering

INFORMATION EXCHANGE

providing

TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE

Provisions

for the

application

of the

standards:

IAEA

mechanisms

promoting

EDUCATION & TRAINING

Chile

&

the International

Nuclear

Safety Regime

Chile

&

the International

Nuclear

Safety Regime


Chile and the IAEAChile and the IAEA

Full engagement of Chile

Chile is a contracting party of the safety

conventions.

Chile participate in the development of

international safety standards

Chile can make use of appraisal services

of the IAEA to check that it is applying

correctly international safety standards

Chile is a contracting party of the safety

conventions.

Chile participate in the development of

international safety standards

Chile can make use of appraisal services

of the IAEA to check that it is applying

correctly international safety standards

Full engagement of CCHEN

From April 16, 1964, i.e. over nearly half a

century, the Comisión Chilena de Energía

Nuclear (CCHEN) has assisted the

Government in all affairs related with

nuclear energy.

It has a solid, long-standing, professional

experience in nuclear issues

From April 16, 1964, i.e. over nearly half a

century, the Comisión Chilena de Energía

Nuclear (CCHEN) has assisted the

Government in all affairs related with

nuclear energy.

It has a solid, long-standing, professional

experience in nuclear issues

Organization(the issue of ‘independence’)

‘Independence” is not referred to by the Convention, which indicates that Governments:

“shall establish or designate a regulatory body…provided with adequate authority, competence and financial and human resources…”

“shall take the appropriate steps to ensure an effective separation between the functions of the regulatory body and those of any other body or organization concerned with the promotion or utilization of nuclear energy.”

The only real ‘independence’ is provided by knowledge!

‘Independence” is not referred to by the Convention, which indicates that Governments:

“shall establish or designate a regulatory body…provided with adequate authority, competence and financial and human resources…”

“shall take the appropriate steps to ensure an effective separation between the functions of the regulatory body and those of any other body or organization concerned with the promotion or utilization of nuclear energy.”

The only real ‘independence’ is provided by knowledge!

Free-downloadable References

UNSCEAR documents (2000, 2001 & 2006 reports)

http://www.unscear.org/unscear/en/publications/2000_1,


http://www.unscear.org/unscear/en/publications/2001,

http://www.unscear.org/unscear/en/publications/2006_1.html,

http://www.unscear.org/unscear/en/publications/2006_2.html

IAEA Safety Fundamentals

http://www-pub.iaea.org/MTCD/publications/PDF/Pub1273_web.pdf

IAEA Basic Safety Standards


IAEA Safety Glossary


UNSCEAR documents (2000, 2001 & 2006 reports)



http://www.unscear.org/unscear/en/publications/2001,

http://www.unscear.org/unscear/en/publications/2006_1.html,

http://www.unscear.org/unscear/en/publications/2006_2.html

IAEA Safety Fundamentals


IAEA Basic Safety Standards


IAEA Safety Glossary


72WNU, Daejon, July 2009

[email protected]@arn.gob.ar

+541163231758

Av. del Libertador 8250Buenos Aires

Argentina

Thank you!

Thank you!

22 April 2023

Nuclear Safety: International Consensus

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