MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

With increasing use of radioisotopes in industry, hospitals and the universities there is a need to ensure that hazards to health from radiation will not arise. A bill will be introduced to regulate the importation and usage of radionuclides. A radiation protection inspectorate will be established as part of the Government Chemistry Department.

The recent widespread outbreak of cholera in Singapore has also indicated a need for regular microbial analyses of food and water samples besides the detection of chemical additives.

In spite of the increase in the functions of the Chemistry Department the present physical facilities at Outram Road have remained unchanged since 1939. They are now inadequate and a plan is being drawn up to transfer the Department to a new location.