Lok Sabha Question No. 4493 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-03-29
Subject: Radiation Emission
Ministry: ATOMIC ENERGY
Asked by: N.K. PREMACHANDRAN

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA DEPARTMENT OF ATOMIC ENERGY

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.4493 TO BE ANSWERED ON 29.03.2017

## RADIATION EMISSION

## 4493.  SHRI N.K. PREMACHANDRAN:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  conducted  a  study  regarding  the  emission  of radiation from nuclear power stations and if so, the details and the outcome thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (b) the  mechanism  available  with  the  Government  to  evaluate  the  radiation emission from each nuclear power station;
- (c) whether  the  Government  proposes  to  introduce  a  regulatory  system  for monitoring of nuclear power stations and if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (d) the initiatives taken by the Government to prevent accidents in nuclear power stations  along  with  the  details  of  mechanism  adopted  for  the  disposal  of nuclear waste; and
- (e) whether  the  Government  proposes  to  adopt  a  transparent  system  for  the management of nuclear power stations and if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

THE  MINISTER  OF  STATE  FOR  PERSONNEL,  PUBLIC  GRIEVANCES  & PENSIONS AND PRIME MINISTER'S OFFICE (Dr. JITENDRA SINGH) :

- (a) Yes, sir.  Nuclear  safety  aspects are  reviewed  by  Atomic  Energy  Regulatory Board  (AERB)  before  giving  clearance  for  various  stages  of  the  Nuclear Power  Projects  (NPP)  from  siting  stage  onwards.  The  radiation  emissions from a Nuclear Power Plant are controlled and regulated as per the guidelines stipulated by the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) in accordance with the  Atomic  Energy  (Safe  Disposal  of  Radioactive Wastes)  Rules,  1987 and the  requirements  of  AERB  Safety  Code  on  'Management  of  Radioactive Waste (AERB/SC/RW)'. The radiation emissions from NPPs have generally

remained  a  small  fraction  of  AERB  authorized  limits.  The  emissions  are monitored by the NPP and are periodically reported to AERB.

- (b) Environmental  Survey  Laboratories  (ESLs)  are  set  up  at  all  power  reactor sites under DAE well before the commissioning of the reactor. ESLs carry out pre-operational survey around the plant site to establish the pre-operational baseline  radioactivity  levels  around  the  site.  During  operation  period  of  the reactor, environmental samples from both atmospheric and aquatic environment such as air, water, soil,  vegetations, agricultural produces, milk, meat, fish and other dietary products are collected periodically and analyzed for  radioactivity  to  assess  the  impact  of  operation  of  the  plant  on  the surrounding  environment  and  the  public.  ESLs  are  equipped  with  highly sensitive  instruments  and  sufficient  infrastructure  to  analyze  extremely  low levels of radioactivity and radiation in environmental samples.
- (c) Government  of  India  has  established  Atomic  Energy  Regulatory  Board (AERB) for regulatory supervision of NPPs.
- (d) AERB has issued codes, guides and manuals to be adhered to at every stage of NPP.  These  documents  of  AERB  take  into  account  the  prevailing international standards  and  industrial best practices.  Adherence  to  the requirements stipulated in these documents ensure safe operation of NPPs. The nuclear waste disposal is carried out as per well laid down procedures and guidelines stipulated by the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) in accordance  with  the  Atomic  Energy  (Safe  Disposal  of  Radioactive  Wastes) Rules, 1987 and the requirements of AERB Safety Code on 'Management of Radioactive Waste.
- (e) There  is  already  a  transparent  system  of  management  of  nuclear  power stations, which is periodically reviewed by the regulatory authority.

*******