Lok Sabha Question No. 1920 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-07
Subject: Incidents of Radiation Exposure
Ministry: ATOMIC ENERGY
Asked by: S.P. MUDDAHANUMEGOWDA, B.V. NAYAK

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA DEPARTMENT OF ATOMIC ENERGY

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1920

TO BE ANSWERED ON 07.03.2018

## INCIDENTS OF RADIATION EXPOSURE

1920.  SHRIS.P. MUDDAHANUME GOWDA: SHRI B.V. NAIK:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the cases  of nuclear radiation exposure  to local population and  to scientists/employees  working  in  different  nuclear  plants  across  the  country  have been reported;
- (b) if so, the details thereof during each of the last three years and the current year;
- (c) the remedial measures taken/proposed to be taken by the Government in this regard;
- (d) whether wide use of nuclear energy is proving to be a boon in the fields like medical treatment and agriculture and if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) the  steps  taken  by  the  Government  to  expedite  the  completion  of  nuclear  power projects?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) No, Sir. The doses received by the local populations living near different Nuclear Power  Plants  (NPPs)  across  the  country  are  extremely  small  percentages  (less than 10%) of the limit prescribed by the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB). These are periodically assessed and estimated by Environmental Survey Laboratories (ESLs) of Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) established at all NPPs  by  carrying  out  survey  of  radioactivity  levels  in  various  environmental matrices.  As  regards  the  doses  received  by  occupational  workers/scientists  and employees  working  with  radiation  in  the  nuclear  facilities,  by  following  stringent work practices,  it  is  ensured  that  the  dose  does  not  exceed  the  prescribed  dose limits set by AERB.
- (b)&(c) Not applicable in view of answer to (a) above.

- (d) Yes,  Sir.  Nuclear  energy  is  widely  used  in  the  fields  of  medical  treatment  (both diagnostic and therapeutic) and agriculture. To name a few, following are the uses of radioisotopes/nuclear energy:-
- (i) These radiopharmaceuticals are most commonly injected into the bloodstream  to  diagnose  and  determine  the  severity  of  or  treat  a  variety  of diseases,  including  many  types  of  cancers,  heart  disease,  gastrointestinal, endocrine, neurological disorders and other abnormalities within the body.

(ii)  Radiation  and  radioisotopes  are  used  in  agricultural  research  to  induce genetic  variability  in  crop  plants  to  develop  improved  varieties  of  seeds.  For food conservation, BARC has developed food irradiation technology; currently 15 plants are working in the country.

- (e) Close  monitoring  by  senior  level  committee,  frequent  follow-up  with  vendors, resolution of likely constraints in advance, providing financial assistance to vendors facing financial  problem  and re-sequencing  of  construction  activities  are  some  of the  steps  taken  by  the  Department  to  expedite  completion  of  nuclear  power projects.

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