VietNamNet Bridge - Agencies are planning to build an environmental monitoring system to control possible radioactive substance leakage from large-capacity energy reactors built by the Chinese and located 300 kilometers from Hanoi.

More nuclear power plants located close to the Vietnamese border have been built in 2016, some of which have become operational, including one just 60 kilometers away from Vietnam’s Mong Cai area and one on Hainan Island.

Sources said that China is gearing up with a plan to increase nuclear power capacity to 40GW by 2020.

If accidents occur in winter, the radioactive substances to be emitted from the nuclear power plants will go down south towards Vietnam rather than to the Chinese mainland. 

If radioactive substances fall to the ground, absorb into the earth and sea, they will affect groundwater and food. Some substances only disintegrate by half after 30 years.

However, scientists have said the possibility of accidents is very small as scientists will have to strictly follow principles to ensure safety for nuclear power plants.

Agencies are planning to build an environmental monitoring system to control possible radioactive substance leakage from large-capacity energy reactors built by the Chinese and located 300 kilometers from Hanoi.

Nguyen Nhi Dien, deputy head of the Vietnam Atomic Energy Institute, said there were more than 50 nuclear power plants in Japan, located near the sea, and only one accident has occurred so far, at Fukushima. 

“Though Chinese technology is worse than other technologies, I believe that all countries must observe international standards to ensure safe operation,” Dien said.

However, he said if accidents occur, the impact will be very serious, so it is necessary to take drastic measures to be able to discover problems as soon as possible.

Experts have urged solutions to prevent accidents from Chinese nuclear power plants. 
They said it was necessary to build a national quick-reaction system to be sure that Vietnam can take initiative in controlling the situation in case of emergency. 

It is also necessary to build an environmental radiation monitoring system in the north of Vietnam to discover radioactive leakage. 

Scientists have also recommended asking China to discuss the possible impacts of the plants on Vietnam and the solutions to prevent them.

Dien said that his institute was building a radiation monitoring network with monitoring stations in many localities which can give alerts if troubles occur. 

“From now to 2020, the monitoring stations will begin operation, while the network will be improved step by step. The next thing we need to do is prepare the staff to run the stations,” he said.

Nam Chi