Safeguards and Related Activities

ROMU routinely carries out certain activities which are considered as part of the international obligations that fall on Bangladesh as a signatory of different treaties, agreements and protocols signed between Bangladesh and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) under the International Nuclear Non-proliferation regime. Under these agreements different types of Safeguards reports such as Inventory Change Report (ICR), Material Balance Report (MBR), Physical Inventory Listing (PIL) and Additional Protocol to the Safeguards reports of the AERE facility such as yearly and quarterly update declarations etc. are prepared by ROMU. All these reports and declarations are routinely submitted to the IAEA through the Nuclear Safety and Safeguards Division (NSSD) and International Affairs Division (IAD) of BAEC.

The facility has so far been used to train up a total of 27 personnel including several foreign and national to the level of Senior Reactor Operator (SRO) and Reactor Operator (RO). During the reporting period two licensed SROs and seven ROs were working at the facility.

A total of thirteen undergraduate engineering students received their industrial training from ROMU during the reporting period. The student came from different universities which included 10 students from Dhaka University of Engineering & Technology (DUET) and 3 students from National Polytechnic Institute, Dhaka.

The program of the division is to conduct R&D activities using modern methods for the computational analysis of nuclear reactors, with particular emphasis on reactor physics, design and safety. Here we procure and implement computer codes related to reactor engineering and nuclear data processing with international collaboration. The ultimate objective of the division is to support the development of infrastructure for future nuclear power programs to meet the ever increasing demand of electricity.

For the economic and efficient use of the TRIGA Mark-II research reactor, in-core fuel management study is very important. Neutronics and Thermal Hydraulics safety studies are needed to ensure the safe operation of the reactor. In these regard different neutronic calculations were studied with the Monte Carlo code MVP and the deterministic code SRAC and WIMS-CITATION. Thermal hydraulic and Transient analysis of the TRIGA reactor has been performed with the code COOLOD-N2 and EUREKA-2/RR. In addition, the shield design calculation of radiation facility has been performed using Microshield Code. Neutronics and Thermal Hydraulics benchmark calculation has been done under IAEA CRP program. Also the division supports the higher study program of different local universities.

“PIGE EXPERIMENTAL SETUP” has been installed successfully in this division. A new experimental setup using another beam port for Nuclear Data Research is under construction. The main research and development activities are:

• 
  An analysis on elemental differences in vegetables, crop and soils of ila affected area in compared to non-ila affected area in the southern part of Bangladesh has been carried out.
  
• 
  An analysis of elements in leaf, root stem of jute, amaranth, data, kalmi, spinach and okra has been done for the major and minor elemental analysis.
  

• 
  An elemental analysis of soil of jute, amaranth, data, kalmi, spinach and okra has been done.
  
• 
  A trace elemental analysis is made on trial banana, hog plum, spirulina, chicken, litter using PIXE technique.
  
• 
  A number of soil samples have been analyzed to find out the concentration of radioactive elements for health issue.
  
• 
  Trace element analysis on some fish sample has been carried out using PIXE technique.
  
• 
  A number of medicinal plants have been analyzed to figure out their elemental concentrations.
  

• 
  Some pineapple samples have been analyzed to find the concentration of trace elements using PIXE technique
  

The division has provided elemental analytical service to a number of vegetables, plants, soil, fruit and fish samples from different Institutes/Divisions/Units.

An IAEA Technical Cooperation (TC) Project (BGD/7/006) entitled as “Determining Radionuclides and Trace Elements in the Sediment and Seawater of the South-eastern Coast” is being implemented. Under this TC Project presence of Naturally Occurring Radioactive Materials (NORM) could be detected in coastal sediments, sea water and ground water and as well as marine and coastal Biota. Besides Beach Sand Minerals Exploitation Centre (BSMEC) has long been carrying out research and development activities which includes geological field survey for exploration of heavy minerals and their exploitation using Pilot Plant.

A survey has been carried out using Alpha Guard Radon Monitor at Cox’s Bazar area. The main objective of the field survey was to detect and monitor the presence of the Radioactive Radon (Rn²²²) in soil, ground and surface water and air. At the same time samples are collected for further analysis. Laboratory based mineralogical analysis and some related fundamental researches along with heavy mineral processing have been going on. For reassessment of existing heavy mineral deposits and radioactivity of the coastal areas geological field works at Moheshkhali Island was carried out. Laboratory analysis of heavy mineral samples that were collected from field has been done in terms of heavy mineral separation, physical analysis and microscopic observations. Heavy fraction of these samples was fractionated in terms of grain size of different mesh using sieve shaker. Laboratory scale enrichment of radioactive mineral Monazite has been done and its possible to gain 90% enriched Monazite at laboratory.

A large number of students, teachers and researchers of different universities and research organizations have visited the Pilot Plant and observed the R&D activities of the Centre.

21.3 Services and Income

Total income from services on Individual mineral separation and selling of different minerals during the reporting year is Tk.2,28,002/-(Taka Two Lac Twenty Eight Thousand and Two Only).\

• 
  Radioactivity Monitoring of Food and Environment
  
• 
  Radiation Protection and Safety
  
• 
  Education and Research
  

• 
  Radioactivity measurement of imported food and allied materials (Measurement of radioactivity in imported food and allied materials is a mandatory work of the laboratory to implement the Nuclear Safety & Radiation Control Rules-1997, SRO No. 205-Law /97, Bangladesh.)
  
• 
  Radioactivity measurement of exportable food and allied materials.
  
• 
  Radioactivity measurement of miscellaneous materials.
  
• 
  Radiation Protection Service.
  
• 
  Radiation protection service during transportation of radioactive materials from Chittagong port to different destinations of Bangladesh.
  
• 
  Radiation survey of the exportable scrap materials at work-site of the ship-breaking yard.
  
• 
  Environmental radiation monitoring.
  
• 
  Workplace radiation monitoring.
  
• 
  Radiation protection service at different industrial units, radiotherapy units, X-ray installations.
  
• 
  Cooperation with other scientific organizations, universities, private and public sectors through mutual exchange of educational programs, training, technical cooperation and expert services.
  
• 
  Development of human resources in the field of nuclear science and technology
  

(a) Coordinated Research program with International Organisations: IAEA/RCA Project-RAS/7/024: Supporting nuclear and isotopic techniques to assess climate change for sustainable marine ecosystem management

(b) Coordinated Research program with Research with Universities and other Research Organizations:

i) Analysis of radionuclides of sediments inside the ship-breaking area, Chittagong, Bangladesh. Environmental behaviour of natural and anthropogenic radionuclides released from the Karnaphuli river sediment containing municipal and industrial wastes of Chittagong city.

ii) Radionuclide contamination and toxicity study of the ship scrapes and wastes.

iii) Determination of radionuclide’s and radiological risk in sediment containing petroleum wastes generated from oil refinery industrial area, Potenga, Chittagong.

iv) Environmental impact assessment of radionuclides in sediments and some commercially imported fish including some parameters of water quality in the Karnafuli river , Chittagong.

v) Study of the naturally occurring radionuclide concentrations and the estimation of dose rates for the samples collected from the Chittagong urea fertilizer limited.

vi) Radiometric study of sediment of the Karnaphuli river and the Bay of Bengal.

vii) Assessment of terrestrial radionuclides in the northern part of Chittagong city corporation.

viii) Investigation on elemental and radionuclide contamination of soil in some ship breaking areas of Chittagong, Bangladesh.

ix) A comparative study on radioactivity of sediments collection of sand and soil from Potanga sea beach of Bay of Bengal, Chittagong.

Revenue income from Radioactivity Testing of Imported and Exported Food Samples by Gamma Spectrometry

Agrochemical and Environmental Research Division is involved in research, services and manpower development relating to residues of pesticide & elemental analysis (trace & heavy metals) and their impact on environment.

1. 
   Research and Development Work
   

In a st6udy, ten (Banana and honey) samples collected from some selected fields of Bangladesh were analyzed using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS). All samples were found contaminated with Ca, Cr, Cu, Cd, Fe, Pb, Mn, Zn metals. However, the contamination level was below the FAO/IAEA recommended values.

2. 
   Services
   

Process and product development for the preservation of fruits, vegetables, fish and meat through irradiation.

The production of citric acid was not same in all fermentation mediam. Without the presence of

The effects of irradiation (0.5 and 1.0 kGy) on sensory, biochemical, physiological attributes of spinach were investigated during 12 days of post-irradiation storage at 12°C and 60% RH. Spinach treated with 1.0 kGy showed acceptability in colour, flavour, texture and overall condition till 12 days during storage period whereas at the same period, control and 0.5 kGy treated samples were spoiled. Reduced rate of weight loss was observed in irradiated samples compared to control over the whole storage period. A minor decrease in the ascorbic acid content was the only adverse effect observed in irradiated spinach compare to control sample and no other major changes occurred in TSS, pH value of treated and untreated samples of spinach. Radiation processing of spinach at 1.0 kGy extends the shelf life without affecting sensory and nutritional qualities. Thus, radiation can be used for the shelf -life extension of leafy vegetables and is not harmful to health.

A study was conducted to determine the effects of radiation on biochemical (moisture, protein, fat, ash, carbohydrate, calcium and phosphorus) and microbiological qualities (TVBC, TCC and TFC) of three different dried fishes (Cheap, Loitta and Chingri) collected from retails markets. Among the three non-irradiated dried fishes, the highest moisture content (40.85 ± 0.42) was found in Chepa compare to Loitta (19.48% ±0.40) and Chingri (17.09% ±0.77). Highest rate of total protein content was found in non-irradiated Chingri (60.39 ±0.75) and Loitta (55.85% ± 0.40) compare to Chepa (32.67 ± 0.06). Results revealed that radiation (3 and 5 kGy) has no significant effect on biochemical composition of three experimental dried fishes. Results of microbiology showed that total viable bacterial count (TVBC) was estimated in non-irradiated Chepa (5.58 ± 0.14 log cfu/g), Loitta (3.72 ± 0.09 log cfu/g) and Chingri (5.34 ± 0.15 log cfu/g) respectively which was significantly reduced by 1 to 3 logs at 3 kGy and 3 to 5 logs at 5 kGy gamma radiation. Maximum Total coliform count (TCC) was found in non-irradiated Chepa (5.28 ± 0.02 log cfu/g) compare to Loitta (3.23± 0.09) and Chingri (4.56 ± 0.06). Total fungal count (TFC) was recorded as 3.60 ± 0.09 and 3.78 ± 0.05 log cfu/g in non-irradiated Chepa and Chingri respectively but there was no TFC in non-irradiated Loitta. At 3 and 5 kGy , no TCC and TFC were found in all dried fishes

Services provided for the nutritional analysis of poultry feed and food products and earned Tk. 35,600/- (Thirty five thousand six hundred taka only).

Use of Irradiation for Shelf Stable Sterile Foods for Immunocompromised Patients and other Specific Target Groups. IAEA Research Contract No, 15052. ( On going).

RAS/5/062, Title “Building Technological Capacity for Food Traceability and Food Safety Control System through the Use of Nuclear Analytical Techniques (On going).

Gamma Source Division of IFRB rendered irradiation services to different institutes/ organizations and private companies using Co⁶⁰ gamma irradiator. After replenishment in December 2009, the activity of the Co ⁶⁰ gamma source was 62 kCi. During this reporting period, the activity of the source was 442.96 kCi on 01/07/2012 and 38.86 kCi on 02/06/2013. At the same time, the dose rate was 1.735 kGy/hr. on 01/07/2012 and 1.570 kGy/hr. on 02/06/2013.

Many research organizations including BAEC were provided with irradiation services for R&D purpose. The names of the beneficiary research organizations/institutes are-Institute of Food and Radiation Biology (IFRB), Tissue Banking and Biomaterial Research Unit (TBBRU), Institute of Nuclear Science and Technology (INST), ICDDRB, Bangladesh Forest Research Institute (BFRI), Bangladesh Institute of Nuclear Agriculture (BINA), Bangladesh Sugarcane Research Institute, Stamford University, Bangladesh Mashrum Research and Extention Center, BARI, Gazipur etc.

The division also rendered commercial sterilization services to different pharmaceuticals companies. The name of the service providing companies are: The ACME laboratories Ltd., Square Consumer Products Ltd., Harun Biochemical, Sanofi Aventis, G.A. Company, General Pharma Ltd., Polycon Ltd., Lab-C, Aristopharma Ltd., Beacon Pharma Ltd., National Trading Corporation, T.F. Plastic and Petrydish Co. Ltd., Pran Agro Ltd., Harvest Infertility Care Ltd., Ibn Sina Pharma Ltd., Chittagong Eye Infermary and Training Complex, Kazi & Kazi Tea, Inner Vision, M/S Rifa Enterprise, Apex Pharma Ltd., Apex Biofertilizer and Biopesticide Ltd., Popular Pharma Ltd., ACI Ltd., ZAP Natural Poduct Ltd., Doctor’s Health Products etc.

Dosimetry is the only way to determine the absorbed dose of the research and commercial samples. For determining the absorbed dose of the research and commercial samples different dosimetry system were used such as, Ceric-cerous, Amber Perspex, Red Perspex, Fricke dosimeter etc. Wave length and dose range of different dosimeters are given below:

Maintenance is required for safe operation of the source and safety of the radiation workers. The maintenance of the gamma source was performed periodically for smooth and proper operation of the gamma irradiator. For maintenance, required spare parts and equipments were procured from local market and supplier.