Radioactivity is a natural phenomenon and the natural sources of radiation are the different features of the environment (Murray & Holbert, 2014). Some of the beneficial applications of radioactive substances and radiation include generation of power and its various uses in agriculture, medicine and industries. Radiation risks associated with radioactivity should be assessed and, if possible, controlled. Some activities such as operation of nuclear installations, medical uses of radiation, the production, transport and utilization of radioactive materials as well as radioactive waste management must therefore be subjected to various safety standards (Murray & Holbert, 2014).
The International Atomic Energy Agency is responsible for regulating safety to all the nations that ratified it. However, radiation effects may go beyond national borders, IAEA serves to promote and enhance safety internationally by improving capabilities and exchanging experience regarding hazards control, accident prevention, mitigation of any detrimental effects and respond to emergencies (Murray & Holbert, 2014) . IAEA is facilitated by international conventions related to safety, codes of conduct and safety standards.
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Some of the safety laws in relation to IAEA in United States include permitting the Agency to apply safeguards on all special fissionable material within the U.S except those facilities linked with activities that have direct national security importance to the United States (Hammit et, al, 2013). The United States provides IAEA with a list of activities and facilities within the country that are not associated to direct national security significance. In addition, the U.S and IAEA shall cooperate to ensure implementation of the safeguards highlighted in their agreement. The United States should submit design information to the agency including identity of the facility, features of the facility that relate to the nuclear material accountancy and a brief description of the proposed procedures on the nuclear material control. Another safety law that was adopted after the Chernobyl nuclear plant accident by the United States is early notification of a nuclear accident which is potential for transboundary release globally that could cause radiological safety issues (Murray & Holbert, 2014) . The United States also declared its intent to notify the agency on accidents involving nuclear weapons as well as nuclear weapons test.
In Europe, approximately 30% of electricity produced from nuclear power plants. Nuclear power produced by EU countries is produced through nuclear fission, which entails atom splitting by uranium to release energy (Hammit et., al, 2013) . Some of the safety laws of Europe in relation to nuclear energy include Nuclear Safety Directive from 2009 which states common safety rules for nuclear installations.
Another safety law related to EU’s Directive for Management of Radioactive Waste and Spent fuel lays out rules on how to safely dispose radioactive materials after use. The EU has come up with decommissioning assistance programmes to enhance Slovakia, Bulgaria and Lithuania finance the Soviet-type reactors decommissioning (Murray & Holbert, 2014).
Similarly, the EU has radiation protection law that aims at protecting human health from the ionizing radiation risks. This entails Basic Safety Standards that have been supplemented by a number of acts assuring protection for the workers, patients and the public. Additionally, the IAEA has played a significant role in international exchange of radiological notification in case of a nuclear emergency (Hammit et., al, 2013). Another safety law is that the EU and IAEA are working closely to ensure nuclear materials are only used for their intended purposes. This has been made possible through keeping accurate records that are later sent to IAEA for inspection. The Euratom Supply Agency (ESA) monitors and ensures a diversified and regular supply of nuclear products, for instance, nuclear fuels to users. The ESA with the help of the agency monitors the nuclear fuel market of the EU countries.
References
Hammit, J., Rogers, M., Sand, P., & Wiener, J. B. (2013). The reality of precaution: Comparing risk regulation in the United States and Europe . RFF Press. (Hammit et., al, 2013)
Murray, R., & Holbert, K. E. (2014). Nuclear energy: an introduction to the concepts, systems, and applications of nuclear processes . Elsevier. (Murray & Holbert, 2014)
