1. WHAT IS NBCE?

Nuclear, Biological, Chemical event (NBCE) refers to the uncontrolled release of radioactive contamination or Biological or chemical agent with or without explosion that causes wide spread damage. NBC events can be caused by accidents or by terrorist acts. NBC weapons are collectively known as ‘weapons of mass destruction’. It was generally believed that the weapons were developed by states to increase their military strength. But the recent events however indicate that these weapons or Nuclear fissile materials can also be used by non state actors who can unleash terror amongst innocent victims

2. NUCLEAR & RADIOLOGICAL EMERGENCY / DISASTER

Any radiation incident resulting in or having a potential to result in, exposure to and / or contamination of the workers or the public, in excess of the respective permissible limits can be termed as a nuclear / radiological emergency,

3. NUCLEAR & RADIOLOGICAL EMERGENCY / DISASTER SCENARIO (NREDS)

Nuclear disaster scenario is a situation where proper emergency preparedness plan must be in place so that there is avoidable loss of life, damage to health, property & impact to the environment.

• An accident taking place in any nuclear facility of the nuclear fuel cycle including the nuclear reactor, or in a facility using radioactive sources, leading to a large-scale release of radioactivity in the environment.
• A ‘criticality’ accident in a nuclear fuel cycle facility where an uncontrolled nuclear chain reaction takes place inadvertently leading to bursts of neutrons and gamma radiation.
• An accident during the transportation of radioactive material.
• The malevolent use of radioactive material as RDD by terrorists for dispersing radioactive material in the environment.
• A large-scale nuclear disaster resulting from a nuclear weapon attach which would lead to mass casualties and destruction of large areas and properties. Unlike a nuclear emergency, the impact of a nuclear disaster is beyond the coping capability of local authorities and calls for handling at the national level.
• Due to accidental incorporation of radioactive material through scrap metal supply chain systems & it getting into steel / Foundry industry where at Radioactive material gets incorporated (embedded) in smelting furnaces. Thus end products made from such castings or steel rod / billets / rounds etc., produced in a recycled steel mill, may get radioactive contamination. Levels can be high enough to cause unwanted exposure to workers.
• Illegal disposal of orphan sources industrial & medical sources not following Regulatory authority guide lines can lead to exposure to Radiation, health hazards of common public, or workers at work place loss of life & serious health hazard to couple of workers.