Nuclear and Radiation Innovations at HANDA PILIPINAS 2020
Harnessing the Atom’s unique advantages during disasters such as typhoons, earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, nuclear and radiation applications will be showcased by the Department of Science and Technology – Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (DOST-PNRI) at the HANDA PILIPINAS: Innovations in Disaster Risk Reduction and Response Expo 2020 to be held on March 12 to 14 at the World Trade Center in Pasay City.
Organized by the Technology Application and Promotion Institute (DOST-TAPI) and the DOST-National Capital Region (DOST-NCR), the expo will exhibit the latest DOST technologies that will support initiatives towards disaster risk reduction and management and help ensure safer and more resilient communities.
The exhibits will revolve around the theme “Science for the People: Safer, Adaptive and Prepared Filipino Communities toward Sustainable Development.”
As part of the exhibits, PNRI will feature its environmental radioactivity monitoring systems – the radionuclide monitoring station under the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO) and the newer System for Online Monitoring of Environmental Radiation (SOMER), which can provide valuable data for decision makers in case of nuclear and radiological incidents near the country.
Also among the technologies are the irradiated chicken breast adobo, which can serve as a ready-to-eat meal for calamity victims that can last longer through radiation processing.
For medical applications, hemostats developed by PNRI researchers can reduce or stop the bleeding in wounds or skin openings from military or civilian trauma.
PNRI researchers will also join the breakout sessions to talk about the benefits of food irradiation in prolonging the shelf-life of food and other products, as well as the Institute’s cytogenetic biodosimetry service, which involves the analysis of chromosomes to measure radiation exposure, particularly during radiation-related emergencies.
As the national regulatory body for nuclear and radioactive materials, PNRI continues to coordinate with various government agencies and scientific institutions in improving the country’s capability to respond in the event of a nuclear or radiological emergency.
