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The Knowledge Base

Addressing The Challenges Of Mitigation And Preparedness In Nuclear Safety: A South African Perspective. Prof Barney de Villiers Community Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University DAAD Research Lecture: 15 October 2008. The Knowledge Base.

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The Knowledge Base

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  1. Addressing The Challenges Of Mitigation And Preparedness In Nuclear Safety:A South African Perspective. Prof Barney de VilliersCommunity Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Stellenbosch UniversityDAAD Research Lecture: 15 October 2008

  2. The Knowledge Base • Natural and man-made radio-nuclides, each with their own unique portfolio of ionizing radiations produced, are the most scientifically researched factors that we deal with in a quest to advance and address the needs of humankind and the world.

  3. Application of Knowledge • To embrace the benefits of this knowledge we find extensive use thereof in emerging or expanding technologies, • with nuclear power generation at the pinnacle of ever advancing industrial applications and • the uses for medical diagnostic and therapeutic procedures best illustrating the value,complexity and potential seriousness of biological interactions.

  4. Nuclear Safety Approach • The drive towards nuclear safety therefore always addresses the maintenance of the operational capacity and integrity of the process and plant to minimize hazard. • The more this could be incorporated into the basic design, the better.

  5. Reality • But we live in the reality of a world with usable existing, advancing and emerging nuclear technologies, • requiring mitigation and preparedness for all eventualities that may result from accidental release of radio-nuclides into the environment from the entire nuclear energy cycle.

  6. The Challenges (basic) • Fundamental scientific research is vast, but not complete. (e.g. the value of health impact epidemiological studies of the Mayak workers is greatly influence by low level dosimetry research.) • New developments in translational research in the health sciences require a process of synthesis, more than further analytical research. (e.g. on management of mass casualties after a nuclear incident)

  7. The Challenges (operational) • Multi-disciplinary “tool” development, like RODOS, are becoming available to allow disaster management systems to cope with the complexities of the vast knowledge base available and to translate this into operational systems. • Risk Communication research / procedures are essential to inform decision makers, regulating authorities, professionals and the community in general.

  8. South Africa: Mitigation And Preparedness • A formal regulatory system with a National Nuclear Regulator to administer it at license level. • Excellent legislative structure for Disaster Management, defining responsibilities at all levels of Government. • Expertise is thinly spread and new scientific findings, developments and tools will require an urgent drive in institutional and human resource capacity development

  9. South African Opportunities International support systems: • IAEA Conventions on Assistance • NECSA as formal Competent Authority • WHO REMPAN • REMACSA (Radiation Emergency Medical Advisory Centre of Southern Africa) • RODOS Developer’s Agreement with Stellenbosch University • Users Group in development (2008) • Research as mechanism for Institutional and Human Capacity Development

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