, Regional Training Center on Radiation Protection for Latin America

C. Terrado a* and C. Menossi b * a*Nuclear Regulatory Authority, Ave. Libertador 8250, 1429. , Argentina b*Nuclear Regulatory Authority, Ave. Libertador 8250, 1429. Buenos Aires, Argentina

Abstract Argentina has an extensive background in education and training on Radiation Protection. Since the beginning of the nuclear activity in the country, prominence was given to the aspects related to radiation protection and training of the personnel involved in the use of ionizing radiation. These educative activities have been delivered for more than 50 years, having accumulated an important experience in the field. The Nuclear Regulatory Authority has the statutory obligation to address, among other matters, the control of the aspects of nuclear safety and radiation protection on the whole country, to protect the people of the harmful effects of ionizing radiation resulting from the nuclear activities. This includes the responsibility to develop and enforce the regulations, standards and other requirements, particularly, establishing the requests and promoting activities regarding education and training on radiation protection. Argentina, currently through the Nuclear Regulatory Authority, has performed postgraduate courses on radiation protection and nuclear safety at interregional and regional level for 28 years without interruption. This important experience has been valued and exploited to form a Regional Center on Education and Training for Latin America and the Caribbean, sponsored by the International Atomic Energy Agency. The Regional Center that in fact has been running in Argentina, trained 404 foreign participants and 327 local participants since 1980, totalizing 731 graduates from our annual post graduate courses. Our commitment is that all the effort made in education and training on radiation protection and nuclear safety contributes to a better use of the benefits of nuclear development. Since 2001 the International Atomic Energy Agency raised the need to develop plans and establish agreements to ensure a long-term sustainability of the education and training programs, allowing a better use of the resources in this area. In order to achieve this goal, Regional Centers for Education and Training were established in different geographic areas and languages. According to that strategy, Argentina, through the Nuclear Regulatory Authority, will continue working in a systematic way to disseminate the latest knowledge and experience on radiation protection, in Spanish language, to the whole region of Latin America and the Caribbean.

a* Presenting author, E-mail: [email protected] b* Presenting author, E-mail: [email protected]

INTRODUCTION 1.1. History

Nuclear activity in Argentina began in the year 1950. The leader institution in this area was the National Atomic Energy Commission (CNEA in Spanish) created through the Decree 10.936/50 dated on May, 31st 1950.

The Act 22.498/56 established in 1956 the legal structure of the CNEA and defined in the Article 2 “the responsibility of the new Institution in the control of scientific and industrial applications of the transmutations and nuclear reactions for reasons of public convenience or to prevent damages that they could cause”.

To comply with the Article 2 mentioned above, the Board of Directors of CNEA approved in 1958 the “Regulations for the Radioisotopes and Ionizing Radiations Use”. It came into force the 24th of January, 1958 by Government Decree 842/58.

In Article 19 the Decree mentioned that every person interested in the use of radioisotopes shall:

Have the knowledge and experience, acquired in a national or foreign specialized centre, fully documented, to use the specific radioisotopes, along with the corresponding on the job training for at least one year, or:

1. Have completed, a national or foreign specialized theoretical and practical course about the use of radioisotopes, with the corresponding examinations, enough to qualify the participant to handle the specific radioisotopes. That course must include concepts related to radiations physics, radioactivity, radiochemistry, measuring instruments, radiology health physics and radiation protection. Its duration must be at least 50 hours-class including theoretical and practical activities. 2. Have performed professional practice for the use of the radioisotopes that the participants wish to apply, in an authorized centre, according to the rules that for each case the CNEA will deliver.

It means that five months earlier than the United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation (UNSCEAR) approval of its first report (June 13th 1958), almost a year before the first publication of the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) (dated by the end of 1958) and when the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) was starting to function, Argentina already had regulation, approved by the corresponding authority, that included specifically the training needs in radiation protection.

However, an important issue of radiation protection regulation was still absent by that time. The functions assigned by law to the CNEA excluded the control of x rays generating equipment, because they were under the surveillance of the National Ministry of Health. This situation made some CNEA professionals to promote a specific law for the use and control of those radiation sources, assigning the responsibility to the corresponding National and Provincial authorities.

As a result of this initiative was promoted the Act Nº 17.557/67, known as the “X Rays Law”, in 1967. This law established the complete regulatory scheme for ionizing radiation applications in Argentina, which is still in force today. It happened at a very early stage, 10 years before the Publication 26 of the ICRP.

During the 90`s another important fact contributed to strengthen the regulatory framework for the control of ionizing radiation use in the country:

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In 1994, Presidential Decree 1540/94, split from CNEA the area of radiation and nuclear safety control, constituting a new independent organization initially named “Ente Nacional Regulador Nuclear”.

Then in 1997, was approved the Act Nº 24.804/97 known as the “National Nuclear Activity Law”, with its corresponding explanatory Decree Nº 1.390/98. After that the control organization changed definitely its name to Nuclear Regulatory Authority (ARN in Spanish).

The ARN might be considered a new institution, but it has personnel and organizational resources with almost 50 years of experience as the CNEA regulatory branch. It means that it can be considered close to Phase III (maximum development level) according to IAEA standards.

1.2. Legal Organization

In the Argentine Republic, the ARN has the mission of, inter alia, protect the people against the negative effects of the ionization radiations coming from nuclear activities (Act Nº 24.809/97). The Ministry of Health and Environment (MSA in Spanish) is in charge of people’s protection through the control of the x-rays equipments. (Act Nº 17.557/67)

Both Institutions work complementarily to regulate the whole utilization of ionization radiations in the national and federal level.

In the area of x rays regulation, the legal instruments (act and decrees) determine the training needs for the education and training in radiation protection. These courses are delivered by personnel of the MSA and the Provincial Health authorities

The regulation for the training in radiation protection of the licensees, under the ARN area, is more complex. It depends of the risk level of each installation or equipment, as it is defined in the Basic Safety Standard (AR 10.1.1) approved by the ARN.

This scheme classifies the installations in three types or classes that in order of decreasing risk are:

Class I Installation: Installation or practice that requires a licensing process of more than one step.

Class II Installation: Installation or practice that only needs an operation license.

Class III Installation: Installation or practice that only needs to be registered.

2. EDUCATION AND TRAINING IN RADIATION PROTECTION

2.1. National Program

In Argentina, there is in fact a national program for education and training in radiation protection and safety. It is organized through a vast set of courses and degrees that bring the corresponding theoretical knowledge, and institutions that complete the on the job - training needed. All this educational system is leaded by the ARN and the MSA.

3 Both institutions, as the authorities of regulation and control, manage independently the specific subjects of their interest, like education and training of human resources. Nevertheless, for some topics there are coordination and working mechanisms between the two authorities.

The MSA establishes the knowledge requirements for people that would apply for the x ray equipments use. The ARN rules the theoretical and training requirements for licenses in the area of ionization radiation from nuclear activities.

There are specific laws, decrees and regulations that specify the minimal requirements in theoretical knowledge and on the job training that must be reached for a safe use of ionization radiation.

The following information shows the education and training required by the ARN to all the personnel that work in licensed positions in Class I, II and III installations. (Regulation AR 10.1.1)

There are three basic levels of training required by the ARN:

° Basic knowledge: the academic grade studies required as a minimum for a regulated position. ° Specific knowledge: the specialized courses or degree education and training required for the application to a particular practice or job position. ° On the Job Training: the practical work during a precise time under the supervision of an expert.

2.2. Education and Training Activities

The ARN and its related institutions organize more than thirty training events annually for around 600 participants, being by far the main training providers at the national level. As the main regulatory authority in the country, ARN has regulatory control over two NPPs in operation, one under construction, three critical assemblies, three research and isotope production reactors, 25 major radioactive facilities and more than 1600 facilities using ionizing radiation for medical, industrial, research or training purposes.

The ARN delivers its own courses, but besides that, encourages and supports other professional organizations and scientific institutions to dictate different degrees or courses, necessary to fulfill the specific educational level that is required to apply for permissions or licenses in the nuclear area.

The ARN also has as a permanent policy to organize, deliver and assess Train The Trainer courses (TTT), as a way to increase the teaching abilities of the professionals in charge of the lectures, and allow new teachers to multiply and spread the educational effort.

The next Tables show the courses that the ARN and the MSA deliver and those that have been recognized by the ARN as part of the human resources training program for different practices with ionizing radiation.

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TABLE I COURSES DELIVERED BY THE NUCLEAR REGULATORY AUTHORITY AND THE FEDERAL MINISTRY OF HEALTH AVERAGE COURSE TRAINEES PARTICIPANTS PER LEVEL YEAR Postgraduate Educational Course RPO in nuclear and radioactive installations on Radiation Protection and 23 G candidates; Regulatory authorities new personnel. Safety of Radiation Sources. Postgraduate Educational Course Nuclear facilities personnel; regulatory authorities 15 G on Nuclear Safety. personnel. Radiation Protection for Personnel in nuclear and radioactive installations 23 UG and G Technicians and RPO candidates. Regional Educational Course on Physical Protection of Nuclear installations operators 24 G and UG Installations and Nuclear Materials. Regional Educational Course on Federal regulatory and control branches and Safe Transport of Radioactive 15 G and UG Transport operators Material. Regional Educational Course on Radiation Emergency Medical Medical practitioners and RPO. 25 G and UG Preparedness Biological Effects of Ionizing Radiation and Emergency NPP personnel 30 G and UG Medical Preparedness. Regional Educational Course on Security Forces; Intelligence officials; Customs Prevention of Illicit Trafficking of 1700 personnel; Internal Revenue personnel; Foreign G and UG Nuclear and Radioactive (2001 to 2008) Trade university students Materials. Medical practitioners (radiologists, surgeons; Health Physics hematologists) Dentists; (Radiation protection in practices 1500 G and UG Engineers; Technicians; Customs and Security with x rays) personnel Health Physics Medical practitioners (radiologists) Dentists; (Radiation protection in practices Veterinaries; Engineers; Physicists; Operation and 1525 G and UG with x rays) maintenance technicians; Security Forces Health Physics (Radiation protection in practices Customs and Security Forces personnel 380 G and UG with x rays)

TABLE II COURSES RECOGNIZED BY ARN OR FEDERAL MINISTRY OF HEALTH AVERAGE PURPOSE COURSE TEACHING ORGANIZATION PARTICIPANTS PER LEVEL YEAR Theoretical Postgraduate Course for knowledge Nuclear Medicine University of Buenos Aires, School of and clinical Specialists Medicine and Atomic Energy 7 G practice in Commission Nuclear Medicine Medical use of Radionuclides Nuclear Studies Institute. Atomic Energy Radioisotopes Applications 8 G Commission Training Methodology Medical use of Nuclear Medicine radioisotopes Technicians Nuclear Studies Institute. Atomic Energy 7 UG technicians Commission training Medical Use Nuclear Medicine Hospital Juan A. Fernandez – Nuclear 10 UG of Technicians Medicine Unit

5 TABLE II COURSES RECOGNIZED BY ARN OR FEDERAL MINISTRY OF HEALTH Radioisotopes Technicians Training Undergraduate Imaging Diagnostic Nuclear Systems Technologists Medicine San Martin University. 13 UG Technologist Education Postgraduate Radiotherapy Dosimetry Training in Medical Nuclear Studies Institute. Atomic Energy 12 G and UG Applications Commission (Radiotherapy ) Postgraduate Radiotherapy Physics Training in Specialist Nuclear Studies Institute. Atomic Energy 12 G Radiotherapy Commission Physics Medical Medical Physics Physics San Martín University. 3 UG Education Medical Medical Physics . Physics Engineering 12 UG Education Postgraduate Medical Physics Medical University of Buenos Aires School of - G Physics Sciences Education Postgraduate Master Science in Medical Medical Physics Physics Education for 8 G Qualified Nuclear Medicine School (Mendoza) Experts in Radiotherapy Physics Postgraduate Radiochemistry and training in Nuclear Chemistry University of Buenos Aires, School of - G research and Sciences (INGEIS) - teaching Education and Radiation Safety in Training in industrial use of sealed South University – Radioisotopes 10 UG Nucleonic sources Laboratory Gauges Education and Nucleonic gauges use Training in Radiation Protection Society 78 UG Nucleonic Gauges Education and Gamma Radiography Training for permits Gamma Non Destructive Testing Centre 52 UG Radiography operators Education and Gamma Radiography Training for Refresher course Gamma Radiography Non Destructive Testing Centre 12 UG Operators Permit Renewal Education and Gamma Radiography Technological University (Mendoza) - UG

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TABLE II COURSES RECOGNIZED BY ARN OR FEDERAL MINISTRY OF HEALTH Training for Refresher course Campus) – Regional Technological Gamma Testing Institute Radiography Operators Permit Renewal Education and training for Gamma Gamma Radiography Radiography Refresher course Radiation Protection Society 8 UG Operators Permit Renewal Education and Radioisotopes University of Buenos Aires – Training in Applications 14 G Biochemistry and Pharmacy school RIA. Methodology Education and RIA Biology and Experimental Medicine Training in - G Institute RIA. Education and Radiological Safety in Training on Radioisotopes Radioactive Applications in the Oil NOLDOR S.R.L. - G and UG Tracers in Oil Industry Industry and Well Logging. Radiological Safety Nucleonic applied to Nuclear Gauge Instruments of NOLDOR S.R.L 17 UG Permits. Measurement and Control for Industrial Use License Training of personnel in Application mobile irradiators Nuclear Medicine school (Mendoza) 12 for Mobile UG Irradiators License Training of personnel in Application Cyclotron and PET G and Nuclear Medicine school (Mendoza) 8 for Cyclotron UG and PET License Refreshing course on Renewal for radiation safety in G and Nuclear Medicine school (Mendoza) 7 Cyclotron and cyclotron and PET UG PET Education and Radioactive Tracers in Training on Oil Industry and Well Radioactive Logging Argentine Radiation Protection Society 8 Tracers in Oil UG Industry and Well Logging Import. Export and Sale Education and of radioactive material. Training on Use of low activity the Use of radiation Argentine Radiation Protection Society 60 UG Low Activities sources Radiation Sources

Health Medical practitioners Physics (radiologists) Dentists; (Radiation Veterinaries; Radiology Nuclear Medicine School (Mendoza) 240 G and UG protection in technicians. practice with x ray)

7 TABLE II COURSES RECOGNIZED BY ARN OR FEDERAL MINISTRY OF HEALTH Education and Basic course on Radiation Training for Protection (recognition in Atomic Energy Commission License process) 15 G and UG Atomic Center Application (basics) Postgraduate Medical Physics Education for Master Science in Balseiro Institute Qualified Medical Physics 7 G Nuclear Medicine School (Mendoza) Experts in (recognition in process) Nuclear Medicine Physics

The national program for education and training in radiation protection and safety, mentioned above, determines minimum requirements for each practice with ionizing radiation and also the mechanisms to verify its correct development.

For the x rays area, under the regulation of the MSA, the fulfillment of the education and training standards is direct because the Ministry is the only institution that delivers the courses and the corresponding evaluations, following its own quality assurance program.

The ARN has recognizing mechanisms to accept and audit the different courses, grade careers, and training centers to certify that the courses comply with the requirements of the regulatory framework.

The next Table completes the general view of the national program for education and training in radiation protection and safety with some courses and degrees in which radiation protection and safety are included in their syllabus. Note that these examples do not follow a regulatory requirement.

TABLE III: DEGREES AND COURSES THAT CONTAIN RADIATION PROTECTION IN THEIR CURRICULA

DEGREES/ COURSES TEACHING ORGANIZATION

Balseiro Institute Nuclear Engineering Cuyo University

Atomic Energy Commission (CNEA) Nuclear Energy Technological Applications Cuyo University (Balseiro Institute) University of Buenos Aires (School of Engineering)

Atomic Energy Commission (CNEA) Master Degree in Nuclear Reactors National Technological University (UTN)

Master Degree in Radiochemistry University of Buenos Aires (School of Sciences)

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TABLE III: DEGREES AND COURSES THAT CONTAIN RADIATION PROTECTION IN THEIR CURRICULA

Medicine University of Mendoza (School of Medicine)

Bio image Production University of Civil Marine (School of Engineering)

Medical Engineering Specialist Favaloro University National Technological University - San Nicolas

Nuclear Techniques Specialization Course Atomic Energy Commission (CNEA) Bariloche Atomic Centre

3. PGEC AND THE REGIONAL TRAINING CENTRE

3.1. Antecedents of the Post Graduate Educational Course (PGEC) in Argentina

Argentina, currently through the Nuclear Regulatory Authority, has performed postgraduate courses on radiation protection and nuclear safety at interregional and regional level for 28 years without interruption.

The Postgraduate Educational Course on Radiation Protection and Safety of Radiation Sources (PGECRPSRS) and the Postgraduate Educational Course on Nuclear Safety (PGECNS) are delivered every year. The first with approximately 125 days duration from March to September, and the second with approximately 60 days duration from September to December. Both courses have a significant participation of representatives from the Latin-America region, with around 15 and 8 foreign participants each year respectively. The following graphic shows the origin of participants along years.

This important experience has been valued and exploited to establish a Regional Centre on Education and Training for Latin America and the Caribbean, sponsored by the International Atomic Energy Agency.

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Map 1: ASSISTANTS TO THE POST GRADUATE COURSES ON RADIATION PROTECTION AND NUCLEAR SAFETY

Argelia 4 Argentina 327 Bolivia 24 Brazil 33 Colombia 28 Costa Rica 13 Cuba 44 Chile 31 Ecuador 28 El Salvador 7 Spain 1 Filipinas 7 Guatemala 11 Haití 5 Honduras 1

México 236 Morocco 1 Nicaragua 9 Panamá 12 Paraguay 15 Perú 43 Poland 1 Dominican R. 6 Rumania 1 Uruguay 20 Venezuela 32 Vietnam 1 Yugoslavia 1 Zaire 2

PERIOD FROM 1980 TO 2008: TOTAL 731

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3.2. Education and Training Appraisal (EduTA)

Argentina has carried out a self appraisal process regarding its infrastructure in the field of National Education and training, following the guidelines stated by the International Atomic Energy Agency in a document that is nowadays an advanced draft named “Education and Training Appraisal in Radiation Protection and the Safety of Radiation Sources” (EduTa). The developed process included in 2006 the invitation to an international mission for visiting the country in order to observe the organization and training capabilities related to radiation protection and radiation sources safety.

EduTA Document provides the appraisal guidelines. It covers every institution, organization, facilities, equipment, personnel and documentation related total or partially with education and training in radiation protection and radiation sources safety.

The appraisal pointed out in the document is applicable, among others, to the Member States with capacity to provide regional training courses or post-graduated courses promoted by the IAEA.

For those countries that provide courses, this document offers a methodology for evaluating Post-graduate courses on radiation protection and radiation sources safety (PGEC) and the course for radio protection officers (RPO).

EduTA is thought to be applied in two ways: - Appraisal by an expert group of the IAEA, or - Self- appraisal by the Member State.

Argentina decided to carry out a self-appraisal process, which results were subsequently put to a mission of international experts coordinated by the IAEA to judge.

3.3. Argentine’s Self-Appraisal Process Output

The first main stage, named pre-appraisal, took place during the last quarter of the year 2005. It was carried out by a team of professionals of the Nuclear Regulatory Authority and the Ministry of Health and Environment.

The work demanded an assessment of the activities directly or indirectly related to training in radiation protection over the entire country.

The final results of the pre-appraisal are found in the document edited by the ARN “Education and Training in Radiation Protection and the Safety of Radiation Sources. Pre-Appraisal Information” Nuclear Regulatory Authority, March 2006.

The second stage, named appraisal, was carried out since the end of the previous one to the mid of 2006. The same team of professionals that had worked previously developed it.

The main topics raised were: • Assessment of the regulatory infrastructure for education and training • Assessment of the national strategy to establish education and training competences • Assessment of the national needs in education and training • Assessment of the infrastructure for education and training • Assessment of the Post-Graduated courses promoted by the IAEA • Assessment of the training courses useful for radio protection officers

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In May 2006 the appraisal was finished. As a result of the mentioned evaluation process it was observed that Argentina satisfies almost all the requirements stated by the IAEA in its document EduTA.

The arrived results and conclusions, that also included the points of view of the work team, regarding the document followed to carry out the evaluation, were exposed to an expert’s mission of different countries coordinated by the IAEA that visited Argentine.

3.4. Regional Training Center for Latin America and the Caribbean.

Once approved and published the results of the appraisal process the country was officially recognized by the IAEA as Regional Training Center on Radiation Protection for Latin America and the Caribbean. Thus, Argentina is responsible of providing technical courses, degrees and Post-graduated courses, promoted by the IAEA in Spanish language.

A long term compromise between Argentina and the IAEA is predicted during the year 2008. This is part of the Strategic Plan stated by the Agency for the period 2001-2010 according to the resolutions of the General Conference GC(44)/RES/13 of 2000, GC(45)/RES/10C of 2001 and GC(49)/RES/43, that encourage the establishment of this kind of agreement between the IAEA and the Regional Training Centers.

4. REGIONAL TRAINING CENTERS

4.1. The IAEA Strategic Plan for Education and Training

Since 2001 the International Atomic Energy Agency raised the need to develop plans and establish agreements to ensure a long-term sustainability of the education and training programs, allowing a better use of the resources in this area.

In order to achieve this goal, Regional Centers for Education and Training are being established in different geographic areas and languages.

COUNTRY REGION YEARS LANGUAGE DELIVERED ARGENTINA LATIN AMERICA 28 SPANISH BELARUS EUROPE 5 RUSSIAN GREECE EUROPE 3 ENGLISH MALAYSIA ASIA 5 ENGLISH MOROCCO AFRICA 5 FRENCH SOUTH AFRICA AFRICA 1 ENGLISH SYRIA ASIA 7 ARABIC

The following map shows the worldwide distribution of the Regional Training Centers.

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Map 2: IAEA REGIONAL TRAINING CENTERS

Source: IAEA Web - ICN

4.2. Long Term Agreements

The long term agreements will remain for a negotiable period between the IAEA and the countries which act as headquarters of the Regional Training Centers. The objective is to give continuity to the policies developed in education and training in the different regions of the world.

The agreements entail a commitment from the two sides with the development of the training activities in radiation protection and must specify:

- Type and frequency of the training events to develop in the host country (education courses for post graduated, pedagogic courses for trainees, courses for radiation protection officers, etc) - Relevant subjects according to the region - Necessary budget for training activities and participants support - Monitoring of the participants performance during the courses in order to assure the training effectiveness

5. CONCLUSIONS

As part of the education and training in radiation protection strategy, Argentina, through the Nuclear Regulatory Authority, will continue working in a systematic way to disseminate the latest knowledge and experience on radiation protection, in Spanish, to the whole region of Latin America and the Caribbean.

13 Argentina, that has a long experience in this field, considers that the safe use of the benefits that atomic energy offers in its diverse applications entails the devotion of important resources, experience and dedication for the education and training in radiation protection and personnel safety.

In relation with this conviction is that the country imposed itself to plan and carry out a suitable diffusion of knowledge and experience in Spanish language over the entire region, taking better advantage of the available resources.

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