DATE OF SUBMISSION: 30 MARCH 2010
NATIONAL COUNCIL OF PROVINCESÂ
QUESTION 116
QUESTION FOR WRITTEN REPLY
116. Mrs E C van Lingen (DA-EC) to ask the Minister of Energy:
What (a) were the changes in annual allowable discharge quantities at
Koeberg Power station since the operation of the station up to the
latest specified date for which information is available, (b) studies
have been done on beta activity regarding leafy vegetables, fruit,
dairy products, molluscs and crustaceans in a 20 kilometre radius at
Koeberg and (c) independent epidemiological studies have been done on
any changes in incidences of (i) leukemia and (ii) other cancer-
related illnesses in affected areas around Koeberg as compared to
areas remote from Koeberg?
CW143E
Reply
a) The Regulation on Safety Standards and Regulatory Practices specifies
a dose constraint of 250μSv to the average member of the critical
group from a specific action. Since 2003 the discharges have been
stable with increases of less that 1% of allowable limits. This is as
a result of tighter regulations, accurate modelling and source term
assumptions.
b) The environmental surveillance programme established at the nuclear
installation is complementary to the radiological effluent management
programme. The two programmes are licence requirements. The pre-
operational environmental surveillance programme was implemented to
establish a baseline of prevailing levels of radioactivity in the
environment against which future comparisons could be made. Analysed
environmental samples include marine samples, sludge, soil, leafy
vegetables and milk.
For dairy products gamma isotopic and Iodine-131 analyses are
undertaken semi-monthly when animals are on pasture and monthly at
other times (up to 30km). If gamma isotopic analysis indicates
presence of specific nuclides, additional beta analysis is performed.
In terms of fish and invertebrates, gamma isotopic analysis is done
for one sample of each commercially and recreationally important
species in vicinity of discharge point influenced by plant discharges
and one sample of same species in areas not influenced by plant
discharge (semi annually).
c) (i) No epidemiological studies have been conducted around Koeberg
Nuclear Power Station.
(ii) No epidemiological studies have been conducted around Koeberg
Nuclear Power Station.