Nuclear Risk
After the accident at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant in 1986, and the moratorium on the use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes by popular referendum in 1987, Italy interrupts the activity of its power plants and develop a first version of the National Plan for nuclear emergencies.
After the accident at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant in 1986, and the moratorium on the use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes by popular referendum in 1987, Italy interrupts the activity of its power plants and develop a first version of the National Plan for nuclear emergencies.
Despite the closure of nuclear power plants in Italy, the attention on nuclear risk remains high, especially for the presence of nuclear plants in foreign territory, less than 200 km from the national border. In this range, there are currently thirteen active nuclear power plants in France, Switzerland, Germany and Slovenia.
The national plan for radiological emergencies, approved by Decree of the President of the Council of 19 March 2010, identifies and regulates the measures necessary to deal with incidents that occur in nuclear power plants outside the national territory, requiring an intervention coordinated at national level.
Radiation is classified according to the effects it produces in its interaction with materials: accordingly, radiation is classified as non-ionizing radiation and ionizing radiation.
Non-ionizing radiation includes phenomena such as ultraviolet light, radiant heat and microwaves.
Ionizing radiation includes natural radioactivity phenomena (such as cosmic rays and radiation from radioactive materials in the ground) and man-made radioactivity phenomena caused by human activity, such as medical X-ray sources.
Radiological risk refers to accidental or unintentional exposure to man-made radioactivity. If the exposure involves fissile materials, such as uranium and plutonium it is a nuclear risk.