URANIUM
CORPORATION OF INDIA LIMITED
UCIL has a track record of adopting absolute safe and environment friendly working practices in Uranium Mining and Processing activities. A full-fledged Environmental survey Laboratory cum Health Physics Unit - an independent body under the administrative control of Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) is in operation to carry out environmental and radiological surveillance in and around UCIL’s units. External gamma radiation, Radon concentration, suspended particulate matters, airborne long lived Alpha activity and concentration of radio nuclides- uranium and Radium in surface and ground water, in soil and food items etc are monitored regularly.
A health survey was carried out in the area comprising eminent doctors from TMH, UCIL, State Govt. and radiological experts from BARC. The consensus of the team was that the cases examined had congenial limb anomalies, diseases due to genetic abnormalities like Thalasemia major and Retinites Pigmentosa, moderate to gross splenomegaly due to chronic malarial infection (as this is an hyper endemic area), malnutrition, post encephalitic and post head injury sequele. The team was convinced and unanimously agreed that the diseases pattern cannot be ascribed to radiation exposure in any of these cases.
Various independent agencies/persons have also conducted Demographic/Health Surveys in and around Jaduguda and concluded that there is no adverse effect on health of residents around Jaduguda due to UCIL’s operation. All the relevant records are made available on demand.
In fact the health status of the persons living in and around Jaduguda is better than in other part of the area due to their improved economic condition and medical facilities provided by UCIL..
Company’s commitment to safety of its employees, member of public and maintenance of clean environment is beyond doubt. UCIL has obtained ISO 9001:2000 certifications for Quality Assurance, ISO 14001:2004 certification for Environmental Management System and IS-18001:2000 certification for Occupational Health and Safety Management System. This reflects the commitment of the company towards safe and environment friendly operations in all its existing and upcoming projects.
We hope this clarifies the misgivings that arose from the publication of the news item.
(Click here to see the summaries of The Health/Demographic Survey Reports) - Report 1, Report 2, Report 3 & Report 4
Atul Kumar Bajpai
Public Relations Officer