Nuclear emergency response checklist
0 Comment(s)
Print
E-mail China.org.cn, June 28, 2013
Any nuclear emergency response consists of a complex program which needs cooperation between the different levels of departments and organizations. It includes professional technology and social management and affects both domestic stability as well as the international image of a country. In the event of a nuclear emergency, different organizations have to undertake and oversee various tasks; whereas in terms of national coordination, actions should include the following 14 aspects:
1. Accident mitigation and control
Arrange experts, equipment and materials to carry out rescue work in order to mitigate and control the accident, keep nuclear facilities safe and protect the environment from radioactive pollution to maximum extent.
2. Radiation monitoring
Operate radiation monitoring of land, water, air, food and drinking water at accident sites and their surrounding environment, as well as radiological monitoring of emergency responders and the public.
3. Observation, forecast and consequence assessment
Carry out a meteorological, hydrological, geographical and earthquake observation and forecast; ensure accident diagnosis, radioactive source and accident trend analysis; assess radiological consequences; and determine the scope of the affected area in order to provide technical support for the emergency response.
4. Management of stable iodine
When an accident has already caused, or may still cause, the release of radioactive iodine, in accordance with the principles of radiation protection and management, related rescue workers and the public should be provided with stable iodine to reduce radiation exposure to the thyroid gland.
5. Hiding and evacuation
According to radiation dose limits and to protect the public, people who might have been affected by the radioactive plume should hide in or evacuate to places of refuge.
6. Temporary remove and permanent settlement
According to the given circumstances, organize residents to move out from the nuclear contaminated area -- either temporarily or permanently -- in order to avoid or reduce the prolonged irradiation of radioactive sediments.
7. Food and drinking water restrictions
The production, processing, circulation and consumption of contaminated food and drinking water should be banned or restricted in order to avoid or reduce any intake of radioactive substances.
8. Access monitoring
According to the given circumstances in the affected area, set up a warning area and monitor its access in order to manage all kinds of personnel, vehicles, equipment and supplies entering and exiting.
9. Radiation removal and medical assistance
Remove or reduce the radiation which has contaminated personnel, equipment, places and environment. Dispatch a medical team for the diagnosis and treatment of all involved, having been exposed to radiation or not, including immediate, local and specialized treatment.
10. Entry/Exit ports management
Conduct radiological monitoring and control of entry-exit personnel, transportation, containers, goods, luggage and postal parcels.
11. Market supervision and regulation
Conduct market supervision and regulation of important necessities in order to supply the market and meet the psychological and physical needs of the public in affected areas.
12. Maintaining public order
Crack down on criminal acts such as spreading rumors and creating fear and panic; increase temporary guard stations at shelters and storage places for relief materials; beef up vigilance at nuclear accident scenes; organize traffic control if needed.
13. Information reporting and release
In accordance with the regulations of the nuclear accident reporting system, notify and report the related information on any nuclear accidents and emergency response situations to institutions at all levels, including the state and provincial offices for nuclear accident emergency response, departments in charge of atomic energy, nuclear safety regulatory authorities, plus leading groups and companies. Release accurate and authoritative information the first time to guide public opinion. The release measures regarding nuclear accident information will be formulated by the State Nuclear Accident Emergency Coordination Commission and implemented after approval from the State Council.
The nuclear emergency information reporting work on the Chinese mainland and Hong Kong apply to the nuclear emergency reporting mechanism of Guangdong and Hong Kong; the reporting work in Macau is responsible to the State Nuclear Accident Emergency Coordination Commission; the reporting work in Taiwan should follow the Cross-Strait Cooperation Agreement on Nuclear Safety and Emergency Reporting.
14. International notification and assistance
The State Nuclear Accident Emergency Coordination Commission takes charge of the international notification and assistance process. In accordance with International Atomic Energy Agency's (IAEA) Convention on Early Notification of a Nuclear Accident (1986), if any nuclear accident has caused or may cause cross-border radioactive pollution, the State Nuclear Accident Emergency Coordination Commission must deliver an international release draft to the State Council, which after approval would be reported to the IAEA through the national contact point.
In terms of reporting accident information to other countries and regions, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs are to conduct this, following the rules of the related cooperation agreements for bilateral and multi-lateral nuclear emergency responses.
If necessary, the State Nuclear Accident Emergency Coordination Commission must offer a proposal for international assistance to the State Council; after approval, the IAEA and Ministry of Foreign Affairs must facilitate prompt assistance and support in accordance with IAEA's Convention on Assistance in the Case of a Nuclear Accident or Radiological Emergency.
Go to Forum >>0 Comment(s)