13.04.2022
Information and Public Relations Department of the Kursk NPP
Residents of the Kursk region supported the production of cobalt-60 at the Kursk NPP during public hearings
On April 12, 2022, public hearings were held in Kurchatov (Kursk Region) on the materials of substantiation of a license to perform activities in the sphere of the use of atomic energy, including preliminary environmental impact assessment materials, "Handling of radioactive substances during their production and storage "Handling subsystem of irradiated additional absorber rods with cobalt at power unit No. 4 of the Kursk NPP””.
On March 18, the public was provided with materials substantiating the license for a new type of activity.
“The creation of new products, in particular, the cobalt-60 isotope, has become one of the priorities of the Kursk NPP as part of the large-scale project of Rosenergoatom for the industrial production of radioisotopes, which is part of the isotope business strategy of Rosatom State Corporation and the industry program “Development of the product line nuclear medicine and technology”. Developing competencies in the sphere of modern radiation technologies, we use the ability of our reactors, together with the power generation, to produce a radiation source that is used in medicine, agriculture and many industries, - Alexander Uvakin, chief engineer of the Kursk NPP noted in the report. – The process of producing cobalt-60 at RBMK-type reactors is relatively simple. The process of loading additional cobalt absorbers is no different from loading regular additional absorbers, and their use does not change the neutron-physical characteristics of the reactor facility. All work is performed with a high level of nuclear and radiation safety.”
The public hearings were controlled by the Supervisory Board, which included representatives of the executive and legislative authorities of the region, as well as the public.
According to the conclusion of the council, which was announced by the head of the department of labor protection and the environment of the Southwestern State University, Ph.D. Vasily Yushin, the event was arranged in accordance with the regulations, the public was properly informed about the object of public discussions. Vasily Yushin also said that the materials and reports presented at the hearings provided a comprehensive review of the production of cobalt-60 isotope at the Kursk NPP.
“Cobalt-60 is a very important material for healthcare and the economy. Its use brings many benefits to people. It has a great demand in our country and the world. Industrial sources of ionizing radiation based on cobalt-60 are intended for sterilization of medical instruments and materials, protection of food products from harmful bacteria, stimulation of growth and productivity of grain and vegetable crops, disinfection and purification of industrial effluents, solid and liquid wastes of various types of production, refining and hardening products made of wood and glass,” said Mikhail Aksenov, chairman of the Committee for Industry, Trade and Entrepreneurship of the Kursk Region. – The Kursk NPP organized in a new line of activity an innovative way – the production of cobalt-60 develops and improves advanced technologies, strengthens the tax base of the region. It is known that the program for the production of cobalt-60 at the Kursk NPP will be expanded. It will lead to an increase in tax deductions to the budgets of different levels, and the creation of new jobs.”
Any interested participant in the hearings had an opportunity to express their opinion and get clarification on all questions. A total of 367 people participated in the discussion.
Members of the public who took part in the hearings supported the operation of the nuclear power plant in the production of cobalt-60, making sure that this activity meets safety requirements, primarily environmental ones.
Based on the results of the hearings, the materials for substantiating the license in the sphere of the use of atomic energy, including preliminary materials for the environmental impact assessment, will be further developed and submitted for state environmental expertise.
Public hearings are a mandatory procedure adopted by the Russian legislation. It is held before the documents are sent for state examination and to Rostekhnadzor, which issues a license to conduct activities in the sphere of the use of atomic energy.
At the moment, power units Nos. 3 and 4 are in operation at the Kursk NPP. They operate at the capacity set by the dispatch schedule. Power unit No. 2 is under scheduled repair. Power unit No. 1 is in operation without generation. The radiation background at the nuclear power plant and in the area of its location is at a level corresponding to the normal operation of power units, and does not exceed natural background values.
Operational information on the radiation situation next to Russian NPPs and other facilities of the nuclear industry is available on the website www.russianatom.ru.
On March 18, the public was provided with materials substantiating the license for a new type of activity.
“The creation of new products, in particular, the cobalt-60 isotope, has become one of the priorities of the Kursk NPP as part of the large-scale project of Rosenergoatom for the industrial production of radioisotopes, which is part of the isotope business strategy of Rosatom State Corporation and the industry program “Development of the product line nuclear medicine and technology”. Developing competencies in the sphere of modern radiation technologies, we use the ability of our reactors, together with the power generation, to produce a radiation source that is used in medicine, agriculture and many industries, - Alexander Uvakin, chief engineer of the Kursk NPP noted in the report. – The process of producing cobalt-60 at RBMK-type reactors is relatively simple. The process of loading additional cobalt absorbers is no different from loading regular additional absorbers, and their use does not change the neutron-physical characteristics of the reactor facility. All work is performed with a high level of nuclear and radiation safety.”
The public hearings were controlled by the Supervisory Board, which included representatives of the executive and legislative authorities of the region, as well as the public.
According to the conclusion of the council, which was announced by the head of the department of labor protection and the environment of the Southwestern State University, Ph.D. Vasily Yushin, the event was arranged in accordance with the regulations, the public was properly informed about the object of public discussions. Vasily Yushin also said that the materials and reports presented at the hearings provided a comprehensive review of the production of cobalt-60 isotope at the Kursk NPP.
“Cobalt-60 is a very important material for healthcare and the economy. Its use brings many benefits to people. It has a great demand in our country and the world. Industrial sources of ionizing radiation based on cobalt-60 are intended for sterilization of medical instruments and materials, protection of food products from harmful bacteria, stimulation of growth and productivity of grain and vegetable crops, disinfection and purification of industrial effluents, solid and liquid wastes of various types of production, refining and hardening products made of wood and glass,” said Mikhail Aksenov, chairman of the Committee for Industry, Trade and Entrepreneurship of the Kursk Region. – The Kursk NPP organized in a new line of activity an innovative way – the production of cobalt-60 develops and improves advanced technologies, strengthens the tax base of the region. It is known that the program for the production of cobalt-60 at the Kursk NPP will be expanded. It will lead to an increase in tax deductions to the budgets of different levels, and the creation of new jobs.”
Any interested participant in the hearings had an opportunity to express their opinion and get clarification on all questions. A total of 367 people participated in the discussion.
Members of the public who took part in the hearings supported the operation of the nuclear power plant in the production of cobalt-60, making sure that this activity meets safety requirements, primarily environmental ones.
Based on the results of the hearings, the materials for substantiating the license in the sphere of the use of atomic energy, including preliminary materials for the environmental impact assessment, will be further developed and submitted for state environmental expertise.
Public hearings are a mandatory procedure adopted by the Russian legislation. It is held before the documents are sent for state examination and to Rostekhnadzor, which issues a license to conduct activities in the sphere of the use of atomic energy.
At the moment, power units Nos. 3 and 4 are in operation at the Kursk NPP. They operate at the capacity set by the dispatch schedule. Power unit No. 2 is under scheduled repair. Power unit No. 1 is in operation without generation. The radiation background at the nuclear power plant and in the area of its location is at a level corresponding to the normal operation of power units, and does not exceed natural background values.
Operational information on the radiation situation next to Russian NPPs and other facilities of the nuclear industry is available on the website www.russianatom.ru.
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