1. Preparedness and Response
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

2. Presentation Layout
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

3. 1994: Creation of Pakistan Nuclear Regulatory Board (PNRB)
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)
The work to establish an independent group to regulate was started early in 80s.
an independent Directorate was established to look after regulatory activities named as……..
In 1990, 1st regulation on nuclear safety and radiation protection were established.
In 2001 PNRA was created and this was total compliance to Nuclear safety convention.

4. 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.

5. Licensing of Nuclear Installations and Radiation Facilities
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
To achieve the mission, these are the ….

6. RADIOLOGICAL EMERGENCY

7. 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, quality of life, property or the environment.

8. Radiological Accident/Emergency (definitions)
A situation in which there is an unintentional exposure to ionizing radiation or radioactive contamination
Exposure may be real or suspected

9. Why Radiological Emergency?
L-003: Past Radiological Emergencies
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
Radiation sources are now an integral part of our technology-based life. As we will see later, they are used in industry, medical applications, educational institutions, etc. Although safety precautions and safety programs are getting better all the time, the fact that more and more organizations and countries are using radiation for peaceful purposes also means that the potential for accidents is there and it is not disappearing. This potential is not limited to nuclear power stations. Indeed, there have been more accidents involving non-nuclear power practices than in the nuclear power industry itself.
The potential hazard associated with nuclear power plant accidents is quite large because of the large amount of radioactive fission products “stored” in a reactor. By contrast, radiological accidents involve much smaller amounts of radioactive material, and the potential hazard is fairly limited, both in terms of geographic extent and number of people that could be affected. However, it would be a mistake to underestimate the seriousness of radiological accidents. Such accidents can lead, and have led, to serious deterministic effects, including severe injuries and death.
IAEA Training in Emergency Preparedness & Response

10. Types of Radiological Emergencies
L-003: Past Radiological Emergencies
Types of Radiological Emergencies
Radiological emergencies can be grouped into four major types
Facility emergencies
Transport emergencies
Severe overexposure or contamination emergencies
Terrorist threats or criminal activities
One may classify radiological accidents in many different ways. The classification presented here is done from an emergency management prospective. It is consistent with the IAEA document EPR-Method (2003) “Method for Developing Arrangements for Response to a Nuclear or Radiological Emergency”.
A brief description of each is presented in the following slides.
IAEA Training in Emergency Preparedness & Response

11. Where Radiological Emergencies Can Occur?
L-003: Past Radiological Emergencies
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
There are other potential activities that could involve radiological accidents, as shown on this slide. Such accidents are complex because, in most cases, the emergency could occur in totally unexpected places.
IAEA Training in Emergency Preparedness & Response

12. The Nuclear Sector

13. Radioactive Sources in Medical and Industry

14. Consequences … few examples
San Salvador Irradiator Accident 1989
Three workers were exposed to high radiation doses and developed acute radiation syndrome. This was treated but the legs of two of the three men were so seriously injured that amputation was necessary. The worker who had received the highest dose died 6 ½ months after the accident; his death being attributed to residual lung damage due to irradiation, exacerbated by injury sustained during treatment.

15. Doctors– discover most cases
L-020: Major Lessons Learned in Response to Radiation Emergencies
Cont…
External Dose From Small (In Size) Sources (Found-Stolen) – Common Source of Injury/ Death
A common cause of deaths and injuries are lost dangerous sources. The typical emergency involves a dangerous source being found or stolen and then sold, by someone unaware of the hazard, to a small scrap metal dealer who disassembles the source. During this process people are exposed and when they start exhibiting symptoms (burns, vomiting), they seek medical treatment. The medical professional, after several visits, suspects that the injuries are the result of radiation exposure and alerts the appropriate officials. Once the possibly of a radiation emergency is recognized, the officials, using common instruments, quickly isolate the danger, preventing further injuries. In all these cases there has been considerable public and media interest and concern. The major lessons learned from these emergencies are:
—they can occur anywhere, unexpectedly;
—the medical community and scrap dealers need to be informed on how to identify a potentially dangerous source and resulting medical symptoms of radiation exposure.
Doctors– discover most cases
IAEA Training in Emergency Preparedness and Response

16. Cont…
orphan source
Stuck Source
orphan source

17. Cont… orphan source Cs-137 Missing Sources then recovered

18. Preparedness and Response

19. (PNRA Ordinance 2001 Section 39)
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

20. 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

21. National Radiation Emergency Coordination Center (NRECC)
Ensure
Coordinate
Enforce
To coordinate nuclear or radiological emergencies “National Radiation Emergency Coordination Center- NRECC” is established at PNRA HQ
NRECC coordinates with
Licensees
Governmental authorities/organizations
IAEA under the conventions 21

22. Emergency Coordination
Ensure
Coordinate
Enforce
Recommendations/ guidance/ actions
Information
NRECC / PNRA
NPP and other PAEC Facilities
Local Govt.
Provincial Govt.
Federal Govt.
PAEC HQ
IAEA
Notification/ Assistance
Implementation of off-site protective measures
Other Licensed Facilities
First Responders (police, rescue services, fire fighters, medical responders)
(Transboundary Accidents)
Met. Deptt.
Other Ministries
MFA
Ministry of Health
Ministry of Interior
Ministry of Environment
SPD
NDMA 22

23. Licensee Emergency Exercises
Ensure
Coordinate
Enforce
Regulations require that staff responsible for critical response functions shall participate in drills/ exercises at least once every year
Nuclear power plant (and other licencees as well) perform various emergency exercises as per their emergency plans
Joint team of PNRA HQ and Regional Directorate evaluates the emergency exercises to ensure effective implementation of emergency plans and procedures

24. Licensee Emergency Exercises
Ensure
Coordinate
Enforce
Observations and recommendations are discussed in post exercise meeting and communicated to licensee for compliance
Record of emergency response personnel training, drills and exercises is reviewed during inspections
Licensee actions on recommendations are followed up to ensure improvements in the emergency plans

25. 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:

26. 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

29. Detection Equipment PRD NSD Teleprobe Protection Kit RID Air Sampler
Remote Visual Ins. Camera
Radiation Monitor
(α,β,γ,n)

30. Contamination Monitor
Detection Equipment
Backpack system
Contamination Monitor
Food Analyzer
HPGe
Radi

31. Tabletop Exercises

32. Field Exercises

33. 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.