37.5 F
Washington D.C.
Friday, March 29, 2024

Latin America and Caribbean Achieve Capability in Using Nuclear Techniques to Respond to Natural Disasters

It is the second-most-disaster-prone region in the world. Latin America and the Caribbean is vulnerable to natural events like earthquakes, floods and hurricanes owing to its unique tectonic structure and weather patterns. With climate change further exacerbating the impact of these vulnerabilities, the region urgently needed capacity to assess the safety and integrity of built structures following natural disasters, particularly in urban areas. With the International Atomic Energy Agency’s (IAEA) help, the region has achieved self-reliance in these capacities.

Four response centers, able to evaluate the integrity of civil structures like roads and bridges in their own and neighboring countries using nuclear non-destructive testing (NDT) techniques, have been established in Argentina, Chile, Mexico and Peru, with IAEA assistance. These centers will support a coordinated regional response in cases of emergency.

Non-destructive testing is a quality control method that uses nuclear techniques to examine materials without damaging them. The IAEA supports the use of non-destructive testing technology to maintain stringent quality control necessary for the safe operation of nuclear and other industrial installations. It helps countries train staff in applying the technology and provides equipment.

“Recent earthquakes in the region dramatically highlight the importance of networks that improve coordination of emergency response in the disaster-prone region,” said Gerardo Maghella, IAEA Associate Industrial Technologist. “Through the development of the response centers, the region has become self-sufficient in mitigating the effects of disasters.”

NDT techniques provide reliable data on the strength and integrity of materials without interfering with potentially already weakened or hazardous structures, using different types of radiation to detect defects in concrete, pipes and welding. The techniques are safe and quick, contributing to the protection of civilians. 

The four response centers have been established through an IAEA technical cooperation (TC) project, initiated in 2018, to improve the quality of industrial goods and services and enhance the assessment of city structures in Latin America and the Caribbean, using nuclear techniques.

To establish the centers, the IAEA organized training and certification of experts in NDT techniques through the ongoing regional TC project in Buenos Aires from 7 to 18 November. Nine participants from Argentina, Brazil, Costa Rica and Mexico were newly certified or recertified in advanced methods of digital radiography using X rays and gamma rays. They are now qualified to inspect civil engineering structures using the latest NDT techniques.

A further 24 participants from 10 countries — Argentina, Chile, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Mexico, Peru, Uruguay and Venezuela — qualified in civil methods of NDT, including visual inspection and ultrasonic testing, which uses soundwaves to detect flaws in and thickness of materials.

“The certification represents a very important boost to the promotion of NDT-methodologies in the civil engineering field in our respective countries,” said Eduardo Robles, Project Head at Mexico’s National Institute of Nuclear Research, one of the newly certified experts and representative of Mexico’s NDA response.

The training and certification were provided by the non-profit Italian Society for Non-Destructive Testing Monitoring Diagnostics (AIPnD) under a Practical Arrangement with the IAEA and in accordance with ISO 9712 on non-destructive testing, as well as ISO 17024 on general requirements for certification bodies, enabling the experts to train others.

Hernán Xargay, Head of Division at the Argentine National Atomic Energy Division, and coordinator at the new response center in Argentina, said: “The training and certification at the ISO level organized by the IAEA creates confidence that international requirements are met and supports harmonization of methodologies throughout the region.”

Mario Barrera Méndez, Quality Control Coordinator at the Chilean Nuclear Energy Commission, who leads the new response center in Chile, agreed: “The network established by the IAEA is the cornerstone of the region’s new emergency response capability. As one of the four response centers, we intend to share the vast amount of knowledge we have gained in NDT techniques where it’s needed in Latin America and the Caribbean.”

Read more at IAEA

Latin America and Caribbean Achieve Capability in Using Nuclear Techniques to Respond to Natural Disasters Homeland Security Today
Homeland Security Today
The Government Technology & Services Coalition's Homeland Security Today (HSToday) is the premier news and information resource for the homeland security community, dedicated to elevating the discussions and insights that can support a safe and secure nation. A non-profit magazine and media platform, HSToday provides readers with the whole story, placing facts and comments in context to inform debate and drive realistic solutions to some of the nation’s most vexing security challenges.
Homeland Security Today
Homeland Security Todayhttp://www.hstoday.us
The Government Technology & Services Coalition's Homeland Security Today (HSToday) is the premier news and information resource for the homeland security community, dedicated to elevating the discussions and insights that can support a safe and secure nation. A non-profit magazine and media platform, HSToday provides readers with the whole story, placing facts and comments in context to inform debate and drive realistic solutions to some of the nation’s most vexing security challenges.

Related Articles

STAY CONNECTED

- Advertisement -

Latest Articles