Roles and Responsibilities of PNRA for
Preparedness and Response
to Radiological Emergency
by
Tufail Ahmad
Scientific Officer
Regional Nuclear Safety Directorate-III, Karachi
Pakistan Nuclear Regulatory Authority
Presentation Layout
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PNRA (Brief history, Mission and Functions)
Radiological Accident/Emergency (definitions)
Why Radiological Emergency?
Types of radiological emergencies
Where radiological emergencies can occur
Consequences- Few examples
PNRA obligations
Regulatory Requirements
NRECC/NuSECC
Trainings and Public Awareness
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Brief history of PNRA
• 1984:
Establishment of Directorate of Nuclear
Safety & Radiation Protection (DNSRP)
• 1994:
Creation of Pakistan Nuclear Regulatory
Board (PNRB)
(partial compliance of Nuclear Safety Convention)
• 2001:
Establishment of Pakistan Nuclear
Regulatory Authority (PNRA) with the
Promulgation of PNRA Ordinance
(full compliance with Nuclear Safety Convention)
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Mission of PNRA
To ensure safe operation of nuclear facilities and to
protect radiation workers, general public and the
environment from the harmful effects of radiation by
formulating and implementing effective regulations
and building a relationship of trust with the licensees
and maintain transparency in its actions and
decisions.
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Functions of PNRA
• Licensing of Nuclear Installations and Radiation
Facilities
• Safety Review and Assessment
• Regulatory surveillance and Inspections
• Physical Protection of nuclear facilities and materials
• Preparation of Regulations, Guidelines, Standards and
Licensing Procedures
• Implementation and Enforcement of PNRA
Regulations
• Liaison with International Agencies like, IAEA
RADIOLOGICAL EMERGENCY
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Radiological Accident/Emergency
(definitions)
Accident [Safety Standards Series, Glossary]:
“Any unintended event including operating errors,
equipment failures or other mishaps, the
consequences or potential consequences of which
are not negligible from the point of view of
protection and safety.”
Emergency [Safety Standards Series, Glossary]
• A non-routine situation or event that necessitates
prompt action, primarily to mitigate a hazard or
adverse consequences for human health and safety,
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quality of life, property or the environment.
Radiological Accident/Emergency
(definitions)
Radiological Accident/Emergency
• A situation in which there is an unintentional
exposure to ionizing radiation or radioactive
contamination
• Exposure may be real or suspected
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Why Radiological Emergency?
• The use of sources of radiation is growing rapidly
• Emergencies involving radiation sources occur
more frequently than reactor emergencies
– Unlike reactor emergencies, the impact is
generally limited to a small number of people
– But the risk of deterministic effects is high
RISK is measured in terms of likelihood and
consequences
Types of Radiological Emergencies
• Radiological emergencies
can be grouped into four
major types
1. Facility emergencies
2. Transport emergencies
3. Severe overexposure or
contamination emergencies
4. Terrorist threats or criminal
activities
Where Radiological Emergencies Can Occur?
• Almost anywhere
– Nuclear installations
– Medical and industrial sector
– Radiography site (gamma radiography sources)
– Terrorist or criminal activities
– Illicit trafficking
– In scrap yards (wrongly disposed source)
– Research institutes
The Nuclear Sector
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Radioactive Sources in Medical and Industry
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Consequences … few examples
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Cont…
• External Dose From Small (In Size) Sources
(Found-Stolen) – Common Source of Injury/
Death
•Doctors– discover most cases
Cont…
Stuck Source
orphan source
orphan source
Cont…
orphan source Cs-137
Missing Sources
then recovered
Missing Sources
then recovered
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PREPAREDNESS AND
RESPONSE
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PNRA Obligation
The Authority shall ensure, co-ordinate and
enforce preparation of emergency plans for
actions to be taken following foreseeable types
of nuclear incidents that might affect the public
(PNRA Ordinance 2001 Section 39)
Ensure
Coordinate
Enforce
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Regulatory Requirements
Ensure
Coordinate
Enforce
• National Regulations on Management of a Nuclear
or Radiological Emergency (PAK/914)
– Require emergency preparedness and response
arrangements from the licencee
– Implementability of emergency arrangements to be
demonstrated on regular basis
– The Authority reviews and approves emergency plans
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National Radiation Emergency
Coordination Center (NRECC)
Ensure
Coordinate
Enforce
• To coordinate nuclear or radiological emergencies
“National Radiation Emergency Coordination CenterNRECC” is established at PNRA HQ
• NRECC coordinates with
– Licensees
– Governmental authorities/organizations
– IAEA under the conventions
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Emergency Coordination
Ensure
SPD
Met. Deptt.
Other Ministries
Coordinate
Enforce
First Responders (police,
rescue services, fire
fighters, medical
responders)
IAEA
Notification/
Assistance
Ministry of Interior
(Transboundary
Accidents)
MFA
NRECC / PNRA
Ministry of
Environment
Ministry of Health
NDMA
Federal Govt.
PAEC HQ
Provincial Govt.
Local Govt.
NPP and other PAEC
Facilities
Other Licensed
Facilities
Implementation of off-site protective
measures
Recommendations/ guidance/ actions
Information
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Nuclear Security Emergency Coordination
Center (NuSECC)
• Focal point for the coordination with the first
responders, front line offices, law enforcing
agencies, local governments and PNRA Regional
Offices.
• Network of six emergency response mobile labs at
each Directorate/Inspectorate
• Response team (s) will be able to reach for expert
opinion within 4 to 6 hours in the major cities of
the country.
• Round the clock manning through:
Toll Free Number: 0800 777 66
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Trainings and Public Awareness
• Arrange National/International training courses,
workshops, seminars, tutorials, Tabletop exercises
• Arrange lectures in universities/institutes of the
country
• Launched media campaign
• Distribute pamphlets/ brochures for public awareness
• PNRA conducted seminars on handling and
management of contaminated and exposed
individuals.
• Planning for national level of emergency exercise
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Detection Equipment
PRD
NSD
RID
Air Sampler
Teleprobe
Remote Visual
Ins. Camera
Protection Kit
Radiation Monitor
(α,β,γ,n)
Detection Equipment
Backpack system
Contamination
Monitor
Food Analyzer
HPGe
Radi
Tabletop Exercises
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Field Exercises
Summary
• Sole responsibility for management of a nuclear
accident or radiological emergency situation lies with
the licensee.
• PNRA facilitates the exchange of information between
PNRA licensee, public authorities and relevant
international organizations with the aim to diminish
consequences to property, environment and public.
• PNRA coordinate and ensures the emergency
preparedness at radiation and nuclear facilities
• Improve preparedness and response capabilities of
response organization through drills and exercises
• Provision of information to general public regarding
radiation and radiation hazards.