Safety and Remedial Measures for Reactor Accident or Radioactivity Leak Affecting Singapore

Assoc Prof Tan Kheng Boon Eugene asked the Minister for Defence what are the safety and remedial measures in place in the event of any reactor accident or any release of radioactivity involving foreign nuclear-powered vessels docked at our naval bases.

Dr Ng Eng Hen: Strict measures are imposed on nuclear-powered vessels that call at Changi Naval Base (CNB) to safeguard public safety. Fuel handling or repairs to the reactor plant are not allowed at CNB. We also require the Governments of nuclear-powered vessels calling at CNB to submit their annual safety audit reports on their operation of these vessels.

CNB has also installed an Integrated Environment Monitoring System that takes round-the-clock readings of air quality, water and sea-bed samples to detect any changes to the normal background environmental radiation level. To date, all readings have been within safety limits as set by international norms.

Emergency response plans are also in place to deal with any incident. The whole-of-Government response plan involves Government agencies, such as the SCDF, SAF, SPF, MOH, HSA and NEA who are tasked to take immediate actions to respond to and contain the incident.