Belarus, Russia working on program to design background radiation sensors

MINSK, 25 October (BelTA) – Belarus and Russia are working on a program to design sensors for measuring background radiation, BelTA learned from Leonid Dedul, First Deputy Head of the Nuclear and Radiation Safety Department of the Belarusian Emergencies Ministry (Gosatomnadzor), during the roundtable session “National radiation monitoring. Modern challenges and prospects”.

Leonid Dedul said: “Together with Russia we are working out a Union State program tentatively titled as ‘Crystals and detectors'. It will be aimed at manufacturing domestic detectors with the necessary sensitivity. The relevant approaches will be worked out as part of the Union State program. A joint venture is an option.”

The official pointed out that two Belarusian enterprises can make measurement instruments – Atomtex and Polimaster. “We would like the necessary materials to be manufactured in the Union State of Belarus and Russia today. We will select the site in the course of the project's realization. We intend to discuss joint proposals on the Union State program in this field in November,” Leonid Dedul said.

Speaking about the Belarusian nuclear power plant, the official underlined that radiation monitoring received top-priority attention during the construction of the nuclear power plant.

Leonid Dedul went on saying: “The Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Ministry organized the relevant work. Now the National Center for Hydrometeorology, Radioactive Contamination Control, and Environmental Monitoring (Belhydromet) monitors radiation levels in the area around the Belarusian nuclear power plant. Apart from that, in accordance with our norms and requirements in the field of nuclear safety the nuclear power plant itself has to monitor radiation within a 12.9km radius, including by displaying the information on a panel. The Belarusian nuclear power plant also posts information about radiation levels on its website. It is updated in online mode. As a regulatory body Gosatomnadzor receives this information. We can analyze it, look at the parameters, and ask for clarification if necessary,” Leonid Dedul explained.

He added that Gosatomnadzor's nuclear safety center has a mobile lab. “We practice alternative regulatory oversight over the situation around the Belarusian nuclear power plant. Once a month the lab goes and collects samples of air, soil, and measures background radiation levels as a whole. No changes for the worse have been registered. No anomalies have been detected,” the First Deputy Head of the Nuclear and Radiation Safety Department of the Belarusian Emergencies Ministry (Gosatomnadzor) summarized.