VietNamNet Bridge – Twenty nine users of radio-active energy had violated safety procedures, according to inspector Tran Minh Dung from the Ministry of Science and Technology.

Fourteen of them were given stiff fines totalling VND110 million (US$5,400) while the others received warnings.

"There were no major violations which could have threatened human safety," Dung said.

Dung said this year's figures were much lower than last year, showing growing respect for regulations on the use of radioactive sources.

However, there were many challenges to overcome at the provincial level. For example, many workers who closely worked with radioactive sources were not equipped with monitors registering the amount of radiation.

And many of those overseeing operations hadn't acquired working certificates and failed to submit radiation safety reports.

In the first six months, inspectors from the ministry's Nuclear Safety Department and 21 provincial science and technology departments visited about 300 users of radioactivity, including medical, industrial establishments and businesses.

For the rest of the year, inspections will be carried out on 79 users in 15 provinces.

Last year, 195 users out of nearly 1,600 inspected were fined VND1 billion ($48,500) for safety violations.

VietNamNet/Viet Nam News