The IARC previously led an EU funded project “Agenda for Research on Chernobyl Health (ARCH)”, the objective of which was to recommend a strategic health research agenda following the Chernobyl accident. The ARCH demonstrated that Chernobyl provides a unique opportunity to answer questions about radiation risks. The multidisciplinary group of experts strongly supported the need for well-designed and coordinated long-term studies.
The ANDANTE project will investigate the relative risk of neutrons compared to photons for tumourigenesis, as a function of dose and energy. The approach will be multidisciplinary, including physics measurements and modelling, molecular biology, radiobiology, and epidemiology. The relative risk of neutrons will be studied using human and animal stem cells irradiated with either photons or neutrons in vitro and analysed for early indicators of malignant transformations. Irradiated stem cells will be transplanted into mice to investigate progression into tumours.
This project aims to improve estimates of the risks of long-term health effects associated with protracted external and internal radiation exposures, through further studies of exposed populations in the Southern Urals (Russian Federation). Specific objectives of the project are as follows:
1. To develop improved modules for estimating external doses to exposed cohorts in the Southern Urals. It is anticipated that new dosimetry systems that come into use after the end of SOLO will incorporate these modules and support future epidemiological work.
For the long-term development of nuclear power, innovative nuclear systems such as Gen-IV reactors and transmutation systems need to be developed for meeting future energy challenges. Thermal-hydraulics is recognized as a key scientific subject in the development of innovative reactor systems. This project is devoted to important crosscutting thermal-hydraulic issues encountered in various innovative nuclear systems, such as advanced reactor core thermal-hydraulics, single phase mixed convection and turbulence, specific multiphase flow, and code coupling and qualification.
Nano-sized materials are a common element in many industrial processes mainly due to their unique properties that lead to the production of high technology products. The widespread use of nanotechnology requires the consideration of the environmental and human health risks that may result from the introduction of engineered nanoparticles (eNPs) into the environment. Although toxic effects for certain types of eNP have been recently reported, there is still a lack of knowledge about their possible long-term effects in biological systems.
Most of the actors involved in severe accident research in Europe, plus Canada, Korea and the United States (41 partners), will network in SARNET2 (Severe Accident Research NETwork of Excellence - Phase 2) their capacities of research in order to resolve important pending issues on postulated severe accidents of existing and future Nuclear Power Plants (NPPs).
MADEIRA aims to improve 3D nuclear medical imaging technologies significantly. Achievements will be made in terms of reduction of radiation exposure, increase of spatial and temporal resolution. In consequence, the applied techniques will offer better and more detailed pictures for diagnosis obtained with less exposure to radioactivity.
