Nuclear and radiation safety and security

All applications of nuclear materials as well as of any sources of ionizing radiation are accompanied by a risk of radioactive contamination of the environment or unnecessary overexposure of workers and the general public. Such an incident may result from malfunctioning of devices (radiation sources, shields, monitoring systems etc.) or a diversion from accepted procedures; it may be also intentional (sabotage or terrorist actions). All such incidents may be harmful for the victims, but they also may ruin the image of a given technology, irrespectively of the country or institution where it has occurred. Safe, secure, peaceful and efficient use of nuclear energy as well as of any source of ionizing radiation requires sustainable tools, including infrastructure that provides legal, regulatory, technological, human and industrial support for that programme. Therefore, the measures assuring radiation and nuclear safety and security, including physical protection of nuclear materials and radioactive sources, originate from internationally established and controlled principles on which obligatory national regulations are based. Evolution of technologies and changes of global or regional political situation may lead to new threats which creates a need to introduce new legal and institutional instruments, both national and international. Poland seems to be well situated in the present nuclear and radiation safety and security system.