Experts at the Philippine Nuclear Research Institute of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PNRI) stressed that there is no reason for the public to be alarmed in the event the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) or North Korea launches to orbit its earth observation satellite “Kwangmyongsong-3” on April 12 and 16 which many analysts say is a ballistic missile test.

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This report, which revises and updates a 2009 edition, summarizes the potential role of nuclear power in mitigating global climate change and its contribution to other development and environment challenges. It also examines issues such as cost, safety, waste management and non-proliferation. To read the booklet please click here.

          The Department of Science and Technology - Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (DOST- PNRI), the national authority on nuclear energy matters, will spearhead the celebration of the 39th Atomic Energy Week (AEW) on December 5 to 9, 2011 at the PNRI compound along Commonwealth Avenue in Diliman, Quezon City.

          DOST-PNRI Director Dr. Alumanda M. dela Rosa said that this year’s AEW celebration will focus on the theme Nuclear Energy: Challenges and Opportunities. The annual AEW celebration, as mandated under Presidential Proclamation No. 1211 in 1973, aims to generate awareness of the Filipino people on the beneficial uses of nuclear science and technology in food and agriculture, health and medicine, industry, energy, and the environment.

          The activities slated for the week-long celebration are: opening of AEW exhibits and a press conference on December 5, technical sessions on Challenges of Nuclear Energy on December 6 and Opportunities in Nuclear Energy on December 7, technical demonstrations on December 8 for engineering and science college students and high school students on x-ray and gamma-ray radiography, radiation shielding materials, nondestructive testing in concrete, among others, nuclear science quiz finals on December 9 and guided tours, viewing of exhibits and film showing on December 5 to 9. The nuclear science quiz will be participated in by high school students from public and private schools in the National Capital Region. The topics that will be presented at the technical session on December 6 include: Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Accident, The Fukushima Radiation Plume: Did it Reach the Philippines?, Assessing the Radioactivity in the Philippine Environment After the Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant Accident, and Food Analysis.

          For the technical session on December 7, the topics that will be discussed are: Gamma Irradiation Services, Radiation Protection Services, Gamma Column Scanning, Technetium-99 Generator Production Facility, Nuclear Analytical Techniques and Applications Services, and Nondestructive Testing.

          For more information about the activities for the 39th Atomic Energy Week celebration, please call Dr. Christina A. Petrache, Chief of PNRI’s Nuclear Services Division and 2011 AEW Executive Committee Chairperson, at 920 8784 or 929 6010 to 19 local 229.