TANZANIA ATOMIC ENERGY COMMISSION

PROTECTING PEOPLE AND ENVIRONMENT FROM POTENTIAL ADVERSE EFFECTS OF IONIZING RADIATION

Nuclear technologies benefit people in many areas, including health, agriculture, the generation of electricity and manufacturing. The radioactive waste generated by such processes can be safely managed, using robust and sustainable approaches to ensure that it poses no risk to people or the environment, now or in the future. The considerable capacity of the Tanzania Atomic Energy Commission (TAEC) to provide radiation protection services and General Support Services is focusing on the improvement of waste management infrastructure, development and improvement of the national capacity for addressing the radiological liabilities arising from the anticipated uranium mining, enhancing nuclear security by improving the physical protection of nuclear facilities and materials as well as the prevention of illicit trafficking.

The Tanzania Atomic Energy Commission (TAEC) initiated the development of a radioactive waste management infrastructure and capability as a result of which Regulations for radioactive waste management were enacted in 1999. Furthermore, the Commission established a “Temporary Radioactive Waste Storage Facility” which was basically a 30 feet ISO container in which most of the spent radioactive sources collected from various institutions were safely stored. Read more

THE NATIONAL NUCLEAR SECURITY DETECTION ARCHITECTURE

The Tanzania national detection strategy to detect the threats identified in the threat and risk assessment will be implemented through the establishment of a national detection architecture that incorporates sustainable detection elements. To implement the architecture, a priority activity will be increased awareness of the threat among the relevant agencies and the Front Line Officers (FLOs) that are likely to be the first point of encounter with the threat. The development of operation concepts and conduct, procedures, and communication protocols will need to be developed. Once developed, these concepts will be the basis for training of FLOs and senior officials. Detection by information will involve increased awareness of law enforcement, intelligence, military and border/customs agencies. Training programs to increase awareness and how to understand potential indicators of radioactive materials or intended illicit trafficking will be needed. Detection by instrument will also be an important component of the national detection architecture. Provision of equipment, training on its use, and expertise on maintenance and repair will be required.......................................