NSERC/UNENE IRC in Health Physics and Environmental Safety

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Health physics and environmental safety are cornerstone fields of study for all applications of ionizing**radiation in industry, research and education and most importantly in the exploitation of nuclear energy.**Government and public concern over the safe operation of nuclear power plants is at a heightened state**following the events at Fukushima in March, 2011 and at the same time there is a general awareness of the**beneficial use of ionizing radiation in industry, natural resource development and medicine. Health physics is**the science that addresses the safe use of radiation and protection of humans and the environment from the**harmful effects of exposure. The overall objectives of this Industrial Research Chair program are to train the**next generation of nuclear scientists and engineers in health physics by providing them with a unique and**industry relevant educational experience and to improve radiation protection science for nuclear energy**workers and for the protection of the environment through innovative research. The aim of this research is to**develop novel radiation measuring instruments that can provide instantaneous information on the radiation**conditions within a power plant, nuclear laboratory or the environment and where necessary to couple these**devices with robotic tools so that remote monitoring, hazard visualization and work-planning can be carried to**ensure that radiation hazards are kept as low as possible and well within regulatory limits with the least loss of**efficiency. The research program is also designed to advance our basic understanding of the health risks**incurred by nuclear energy workers, the public and non-human species due to low-level radiation exposure and**to reduce scientific uncertainties for this topical and controversial issue.