Question : EFFECTS OF RADIATION

(a) whether some studies have been conducted on the ill-effects of radiation on the villages around operational nuclear power plants in the country;

(b) if so, the reasons for conducting such studies and the main findings of these studies;

(c) whether the Government has plans for relocation of the villagers within a specified radius of operational nuclear power plants;

(d) if so, the details of the relocation package that the Government has to offer to the villagers;

(e) whether the Government has consulted the State Governments in respect of these studies and the relocation packages; and

(f) if so, the response of the State Government thereto?

THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES & PENSIONS AND PRIME MINISTER’S OFFICE (SHRI V. NARAYANASAMY)

(a) to (f) A statement is laid on the Table of the House

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 119 FOR ANSWER ON 21.03.2012 BY SHRI ANANTH KUMAR REGARDING EFFECTS OF RADIATION.

(a) & (b) Yes, Sir. Radiation levels around the nuclear power plants are negligibly higher than the background radiation. While average background radiation level is 2400 micro Sievert per year, at plant site radiation levels are higher from the average by 1 to 25 micro Sievert per year. Therefore, there is no ill effect of radiation around nuclear power plants. The epidemiological survey for health assessment in respect of employees working in Nuclear Power Plants (NPP) have been carried out in detail. The studies have found that there has not been any rise in cancer morbidity, birth defects or any other ailments compared to areas away from NPPs. Annual medical checkups are carried out for all occupational workers, results of which also established that there is no ill effect of radiation in and around NPPs. In order to analyze the effect of radiation, on air, water, soil, vegetation, crops, milk, fish etc. around each of the nuclear power plant site, Environmental Survey Laboratories (ESL) are established at all sites several years before setting up of the plant. The monitoring of environmental matrices by ESL before and after operation of nuclear power plant has established that there is no significant changes in radioactivity or radiation level in environment compared to the base line data.

(c) No, Sir.

(d) to (f) Do not arise.