Objectives
In order to promote international network among Asian countries for radioecology (environmental radioactivity), following activities are proposed.
1) Reviewing Asian activities for radioecology (environmental radioactivity)
2) Organizing Workshop
3) Summer school for young scientists in Asia (possibly: to be discussed)
Background
Nuclear power becomes more and more important in Asian countries in order to supply electricity required for their rapid economical development. The ASEAN came to agreement in 2007 for development of information network for safety management policy. After the Chernobyl accident in 1986, European countries realized the importance of international network for monitoring and information exchange in the field of environmental radioactivity, and organized several international research projects and established monitoring network system. However, there is almost no action yet for network development for environmental radioactivity in Asian environment. In addition, natural high background areas existing in Asia have great potential to be used for risk assessment researches for low dose radiation, and need international corroborations to promote them. Considering the rapid increase of unclear power stations and unique environmental condition in Asia, establishment of international network among Asian countries are urgently required for information exchange, international monitoring and researches, as well as for human resource development. As one of the leading organization of radioecology (environmental radioactivity) in the world, the IUR believed to have responsibility to promote it. For the first step toward the Asian network, it is required to survey the research activities in Asia for radioecology (environmental radioactivity), and to start information exchange and discussion.
Proposed Plan
Reviewing Asian activities
A questionnaire base review will be set up, in order to identify existing research activities for environmental radioactivity in Asia, and to identify key institutions, which possibly helpful for network formation. Identifying the knowledge gaps and prioritizing research requirements in Asian environment are also important objectives of the review. The present network for the revision of IEAE technical document for transfer parameters in tropical and sub-tropical environments will be useful to start the questionnaire distribution. Internet-base questionnaire system, which is already used in another task groups in IUR, might be helpful.
Organizing Workshop
In order to exchange information and to discuss necessary international collaboration and efficient formation of Asian network, a workshop will be held in Japan. Scientists in possible key institutions will be invited. Several Japanese scientists will be also invited. This workshop is possibly organized jointly with IAEA and Japanese organizations.
Summer School for young scientists in Asia (possibly: to be discussed)
Human resource development is urgently required in the field of environmental radioactivity in Asia. Especially for young scientists, development of chances for training and for communication with scientists in another countries is particularly important. For the first step of the training of young scientists, a (summer) school will be held in Japan. Relatively young scientists in Asia will be supported to attend, and experts from the worlds will be lecturers. IAEA is interested in such activities, and possible financial supports can be discussed. Joint organize with Japanese scientific societies (e.g. the Japan Radiation Research Society and the Workshop on Environmental Radioactivity) will be considered.
Expected Results and Impacts
It must be a long way to establish the efficient international network among Asian countries for information exchange, monitoring and researches, as well as for human resource development. This proposal is expected to be the important first step toward this direction.
The proposed activities support Asian countries for radiation protection by promoting information exchange and by training scientists. Since there is no border for the environmental pollution, the network formation can help countries for protection of people from radioactive pollution. Although this activity starts from basic scientific communication, it must be one of the important parts of international safety system and nuclear power development strategies.
For IUR, the proposed activities act as driving force toward the new direction. By promoting new members from Asia, IUR becomes real international organization. This proposal will make the activities in IUR visible, and will make IUR's presence felt more in the world, not only Asian countries but also international communities.
Finance
To be discussed.
Contact
Satoshi YOSHIDA, Ph.D.
Environmental Radiation Effects Research Group
Research Center for Radiation Protection
National Institute of Radiological Sciences (NIRS)
Anagawa 4-9-1, Inage-ku, Chiba-shi, Chiba
263-8555 Japan
Tel: +81-43-206-3155
Fax: +81-43-251-4853
E-mail: s_yoshid@nirs.go.jp