Anatoly Nazarov, doctor of biology, academic, Director of Ecological Center of the Institute of History and Natural and Technical Sciences of Russian Academy of Sciences

— As an ecologist, I see no reasons for being concerned about the opening of the International Uranium Enrichment Center

In late 2006 the Russian Government decided to remove Angarsk Electrolyses Chemical Factory from the list of closed enterprises and to use it as a basis for an International Uranium Enrichment Center. Doctor of biology, academic, Director of Ecological Center of the Institute of History and Natural and Technical Sciences of Russian Academy of Sciences Anatoly Nazarov has commented to journalists on the project:
 
Question: They in Angarsk are planning to set up an International Uranium Enrichment Center. Is it dangerous for the region’s ecology?

Anatoly Nazarov: Even though I am a critical ecologist, this time I see no reasons for concern. What danger are you talking about? The enterprise the center will be based on is already existent, it has been working for a long time and we have had no problems with it, even though we in Russia have much tougher radiation standards than they in the West, particularly, in the US and the UK.

Besides, we are on constant watch-out. This project will be examined on both state and public levels and monitored by international experts. You know, I am a professional in radiation security and I see nothing we, the ecologists, can do there now.

Speaking about the country in general, today we are entering into a new historical stage in terms of radiation security. Today, the basis of radiation analysis is radiation dose per population rather than per capita. This allows us to more objectively assess the radiation situation and to get a more objective picture of the real living conditions of a specific group of people living over a specific area.

As regards the nuclear power complex, as a whole, we should restore Russia’s prestige in the sphere. Many generations of outstanding scientists and engineers have invested their talents and efforts in this sphere and now some NGOs say we must close NPPs. This is sheer ignorance, complete misunderstanding of the real situation. What do they mean by saying: let’s close NPP? We do have nuclear power engineering — this is objective reality not only in Russia but all over the world. Unlike them, the younger generation shows understanding and realizes that people will not do without nuclear power engineering.