Development of applications of atomic energy, radiation and nuclear safety

The Department of Science and Technology (S&T) focuses on and strengthens the management of radiation safety, security of radioactive and nuclear sources and the application of atomic energy in the city; aiming to ensure environmental quality, safety for human health, contribute to sustainable socio -economic development, proactively prevent and respond to possible nuclear radiation incidents.

Nuclear and radiation incident response drill in September 2023 at Da Nang Oncology Hospital. Photo: VIET AN

In 2023, the Department of Science and Technology advised on the issuance of the project "Environmental radiation monitoring in Da Nang city, period 2023-2027". This is a necessary project to monitor and update radiation background data in the city regularly, continuously and systematically. Thereby, promptly identify changes and unusual developments in radiation background, fluctuations in radioactive activities; supplement the frequency and locations of radiation monitoring for risky areas according to the general planning of Da Nang city to 2030, vision to 2045 approved by the Prime Minister in Decision No. 359/QD-TTg dated March 15, 2021. The Department has deployed the task of "Measuring and updating environmental radiation background in Da Nang city" in 2023.

Specifically, the department conducted measurements at 21,442 points across the city for measuring gamma dose rates in the air environment; completed monitoring of the air environment, air Radon content and placed dosimeters to collect environmental background reports at 26 key locations and areas in the city; collected and analyzed 48 samples in the water environment; 21 samples in the soil, mud, and sediment environment; 10 food samples and 5 biological indicator samples. The results showed that the radioactivity was at a safe level, with no unusual changes in the environment. All measurement parameters were updated to the "Da Nang City Radiation Background Map", serving as a database to monitor the evolution of environmental radiation background in the area, serving the State management of radiation and nuclear safety in Da Nang City.

In addition, the Department of Science and Technology regularly disseminates and reminds units to review the validity of licenses to conduct radiation work and the implementation of measures and compliance with regulations to ensure radiation safety at the facility. In the past year, the department received, assessed and issued 71 new licenses to conduct radiation work, 36 radiation worker certificates and 20 certificates of declaration of diagnostic X-ray equipment in medicine; organized radiation safety training courses for radiation workers. Notably, in September 2023, at the Da Nang Oncology Hospital, the city's Steering Committee for Radiation and Nuclear Incident Response organized a drill to respond to radiation and nuclear incidents.

The activity aims to strengthen the coordination capacity of medical facilities and forces under the Steering Committee; enhance the response capacity of medical staff and re-check the readiness status of response teams and equipment in case of a radioactive incident. With the hypothetical situation of a fire of unknown cause in the hotlab room of the Department of Nuclear Medicine, Da Nang Oncology Hospital, the coordinating units practiced activities and tasks to ensure radiation safety.

Dr. Le Duc Vien, Director of the Department of Science and Technology, said that in order to develop the application of atomic energy and nuclear radiation safety in 2024, the department will continue to strengthen the management of nuclear radiation safety control activities, ensuring that 100% of facilities using licensed X-ray equipment do not have incidents of unsafe and unsafe radiation sources; focusing on organizing radiation safety training for managers and radiation staff in the area. In addition, the department will continue to organize radiation and nuclear incident response drills at the city level in 2024; deploy the project of Environmental Radiation Monitoring in the city until 2030; coordinate with the research facility of the Vietnam Atomic Energy Institute in Da Nang to promote the application of radiation technology to serve socio-economic activities in the city.

VIET AN

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