Lok Sabha Question No. 3236 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-03-23
Subject: Radioactive Radiation
Ministry: ATOMIC ENERGY
Asked by: Bhartruhari Mahtab

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA DEPARTMENT OF ATOMIC ENERGY

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTIONNO.3236

TO BE ANSWERED ON 23.03.2022

## RADIOACTIVE RADIATION

## 3236.  SHRI BHARTRUHARI MAHTAB:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) whether high level of radioactive radiation emanating from nuclear waste causes a number  of  serious  diseases  such  as  skin  problems,  cancer,  as  well  as  radio vascular diseases;
- (b) if so, the details thereof along with the details of appropriate mechanism and safety measures  adopted  for  safe  disposal  of  the  radioactive  waste  generated  in  the country;
- (c) whether the Government has taken note of reports of the presence of high alpha radioactive particles in various rivers near nuclear mining sites including Subarnarekha  River  which  after  passing  through  Jharkhand  enters  West  Bengal and  Orissa  before  falling  into  Bay  of  Bengal  and  thus  pose  health  hazards  to populace living alongside such rivers in the country; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof along the necessary corrective steps taken/proposed to be taken by the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

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

- (a&b) The radioactive waste generated from the nuclear facilities is well categorized, immobilized  and  stored  in  the  waste  storage  facilities  as  per  the  stipulated guidelines  of  the  regulatory  agency  i.e.  Atomic  Energy  Regulatory  Board (AERB).  Regulatory  guidelines  are  based  on  internationally  accepted  safe nuclear waste management practices. The radiation levels in such facilities are continuously monitored & maintained within the regulatory limits set by AERB. Such low-level radiation  does  not  cause any  health hazard  diseases like  skin problems, cancer, radio vascular diseases etc.

As a waste management philosophy, no waste in any physical form is released / disposed to the environment unless the same is cleared, exempted or excluded from regulations. The radioactive solid wastes generated during operation and maintenance of nuclear facilities are segregated and volume reduced prior to its disposal.  Disposal  of  these  waste  is  carried  out  in  specially  constructed engineered modules such as reinforced concrete trenches and tile holes. These engineered  structures  are  located  both  above  and  under-ground  in  access  controlled areas and are designed based on multi barrier principle for ensuring effective containment  of the radioactivity. The  areas  where  the  disposal structures  located  are  kept  under  constant  surveillance  with  the  help  of  borewells laid out in a planned manner by routinely monitoring the underground soil and water samples to confirm effective confinement of radioactivity present in the disposed waste. The practice is at par with international practices following the guide lines of International Atomic Energy Agency. Till date the surveillance of  the  disposal  areas  at  different  sites  has  confirmed  the  high  degree  of effectiveness of the disposal system for the containment of the disposed wastes. There  has  been  no  incident  of  release  of  radioactivity  from  such  disposed wastes.  No  effect  of  radiation  from  the  disposed  wastes  on  the  public  or  the environment has been observed.

- (c&d) Yes, Sir. A detailed survey has been carried out on the levels of radioactivity in water  and  sediment  samples,  in  the  Subarnarekha  River.  The  study  clearly indicated that there is no increase of radioactivity in the river ecosystem above the background level.

The naturally occurring radioactivity levels in Subarnarekha River are extremely low and do not pose any health hazards to populace living alongside the river.

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