RADIATION PROTECTION BILL

Order for Second Reading read. 3.30 pm

The Minister for Health (Mr Yeo Cheow Tong): Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, "That the Bill be now read a Second time.

Radiation and radioactive materials are now widely used in industry and in medicine. In medicine, they are used in x-ray machines for the diagnosis of diseases and for treatment of cancers. They are also used as radioactive isotopes for various laboratory tests. X-rays and radioactive materials have to be used with special care as they are potentially harmful and dangerous to health.

Overexposure to radiation can cause serious diseases affecting the blood and bone marrow, such as cancer of the blood or leukaemia. Overexposure can also lead to sterility, cataracts and blindness. Gross overexposure as in radiation accidents can result in serious radiation sicknesses and even death. Those who survive have also an increased risk of developing leukaemia.

Present status of radiation protection in Singapore

Sir, control of the use of radiation in Singapore was first introduced in 1973. This was when the Radiation Protection Act was enacted to regulate and control radioactive materials and devices emitting ionising radiation. Under this Bill, activities such as the import, manufacture, sale, disposal,transport, possession and use of radioactive materials and devices emitting ionising radiation are subjected to licensing. In addition, all radiation workers are required to be continuously monitored. This is to ensure that the radiation that they receive in the course of their work is within safe limits.

Over the years, there has been a rapid increase in the use of radiation in medicine and industry. Many x-ray machines have been installed in hospitals and clinics. The frequency of radioactive isotopes being used for diagnostic purposes in the laboratories has also increased. More radioactive materials are also being used in industry. My Ministry's Radiation Protection Inspectorate has therefore taken steps to ensure the proper control and use of radioactive devices and materials.

These include surveys of environmental radiation and regular inspection of premises and facilities using x-ray machines and radioactive materials. We also provide talks and lectures to radiation users and other members of the public, and regular radiological safety training programmes for medical and paramedical staff.

These radiation protection programmes have improved radiation safety in Singapore. As an illustration, about 20 persons were accidentally exposed to radioactive materials in industry in 1975. Last year, there were only two cases. None happened in our hospitals. Fortunately, all these were minor accidents and there were no deaths. But we cannot take things for granted.

The present Radiation Protection Act has served us well in the control of x-rays and radioactive materials. But it does not cover non-ionising radiations. Recent technological advances have led to the development and use of many devices using non-ionising radiations. Examples of such devices are microwave ovens, ultra-sound machines, lasers and ultraviolet lamps. All these can have harmful effects if not properly manufactured or used.

Non-ionising radiations

You may ask what are non-ionising radiations. They are radiations which are of a lower energy than x-rays. However, they are nonetheless harmful when used wrongly or applied wrongly. For example, microwaves can lead to burns, cataracts, blindness and even to sterility. Lasers can damage the retina of the eye. There is now a proliferation of non-ionising radiation devices in industry, in our hospitals and clinics, in the public areas for entertainment and in our homes. Many of these devices can pose a danger to workers, to patients and to the public in general if they are not used properly.

Proposed controls and changes

My Ministry has therefore decided that non-ionising radiation devices should also be brought under control, in order to ensure that the safety of the general public is safeguarded. Many developed countries, for example, Australia, Japan, Germany, Sweden have also introduced similar legislation to control non-ionising radiation. We have studied the measures adopted by them and have adapted them to our local needs.

My Ministry's control of non-ionising radiation will meet two objectives: firstly, to ensure that users or operators of hazardous non-ionising radiation devices have the necessary qualifications and training; secondly, to ensure that only non-ionising radiation devices that meet accepted international standards are allowed to be imported into our country.

In addition to the control of non-ionising radiation, certain aspects of the control of x-rays and other ionising radiations will also be strengthened.

Purpose of the Radiation Protection Bill

In view of the substantial changes that are proposed, my Ministry, on the advice of the Attorney General, has introduced this new Radiation Protection Bill. This Bill seeks to repeal the Radiation Protection Act (Cap. 262) and to re-enact the Act with amendments. It will bring hazardous non-ionising radiation devices under control and will improve the administration of the existing Act.

Sir, I will now deal with the major provisions of the Bill.

Licensing Requirements

Under the provisions of the Bill, licences will be needed for the import and manufacture of prescribed non-ionising radiation devices. The devices to be prescribed will include ultraviolet sunlamps, commercial and domestic microwave ovens, diagnostic, therapeutic and industrial ultrasound machines as well as the higher power Class IIIB and Class IV lasers. In addition, licences will be needed for the use of certain prescribed non-ionising radiation devices, namely, diagnostic, therapeutic and industrial ultrasound machines, Class IIIB and Class IV lasers, and all entertainment lasers.

Lasers of Class IIIA and below will not be controlled as they are of low power, for example, of 5 milli-Watt or less and they do not pose significant dangers. Examples of these exempted devices include laser pointers that are widely used, laser printers and the laser compact disc players.

Health and safety of workers and the public

The Bill seeks to protect the workers handling ionising radiation as well as non-ionising radiation by requiring their employers to provide them with the proper training so that they can competently and safely perform their work.

The Bill also requires the employers of such workers to provide and maintain an environment that is free from radiation hazards for both the workers as well as the general public.

Disposal

Improper disposal of radiation equipment can lead to serious consequences for public safety. An example is the radiation accident in Brazil in 1987 which was caused by the improper disposal of a Caesium machine used for radiotherapy. It resulted in the death of four persons from severe radiation exposure. 54 others were seriously exposed and had to be hospitalised for fairly long periods, whilst some 250 other people received significant radiation exposure.

Sir, the same radiation machines are available in our hospitals and we cannot afford to have such accidents. The Bill provides that prescribed irradiating apparatus, whether or not in working condition, shall not be disposed of without the written approval from the Director of Radiation Protection.

This Bill also contains provisions to ensure proper disposal of radioactive waste and to ensure that they do not accumulate in the premises. They also ensure that radioactive substances are not disposed of into our sewers or into our environment.

Penalty

The penalty for offences committed is a fine of not more than $5,000. However, in cases of culpable negligence which endangered or were likely to endanger human life, the penalty is a fine of not more than $10,000 or not exceeding 12 months' imprisonment or both.

The Bill also allows minor offences to be compounded with fines not exceeding $200.

Conclusions

Sir, the proposed Bill will allow us to continue ensuring the proper and safe use of radiation equipment and radioactive materials in the medical and industrial applications. It will prevent substandard radiation devices from being brought into Singapore. It will ensure that only properly trained staff are allowed to operate these machines or to use radioactive materials.

The Bill will facilitate the safe and effective use of new technologies which emit non-ionising radiation in hospitals and clinics, in industries, public places, as well as in our homes. It is something that is necessary since modern technology and equipment are being introduced and used to their fullest as part of our rapid development.

Sir, I beg to move.

Question proposed.

Mr Choo Wee Khiang (Marine Parade GRC): Sir, after listening to the Minister's speech, I am fully convinced that the Bill is very much useful for the workers and with this particular Bill, the workers and public at large will be protected. I am convinced that this particular Bill when enacted will ensure that Singaporeans will have a safer place to work and a safer place to live.

Sir, the rapid growth of beneficial applications of non-ionising radiation carries along with it some adverse health effects. Therefore, protection measures and standards are necessary to ensure that our environment is safe for living and work without at the same time restricting the applications of such technology. Here I am happy to note that those who wish to possess such apparatus or materials will have to apply for a licence and this will last for two years or less. But, Sir, I hope the Ministry will make sure that such materials and equipment are properly maintained, serviced and kept. And therefore I hope the Ministry will continuously send out their officials to check on the owners and users.

Recently, there was concern over the use of cosmetic lasers, microwave ovens and machines emitting ultrasound. The Health Ministry, I hope, will look into problems associated with the improper use of such hazardous devices in establishments.

Sir, it is known that poorly maintained microwave ovens do present some radiation hazard to the users. Guidelines could be issued to the domestic users on how to maintain their microwave ovens properly and how to check on their safety. This is especially important as there are a large number of microwave oven users, both in restaurants and in the homes.

Sir, I hope also that the Minister will consider setting up a more comprehensive training and educational programme for users and the public at large, especially in the non-ionising radiation area as it is rather new and unfamiliar to most of us. I am sure the Bill will further strengthen Singapore's radiation protection and the health and safety of our workers and the public at large.

Sir, I support the Bill.

Mr Yeo Cheow Tong: Sir, I would like to thank the hon. Member for his support of the Bill.

Sir, we take note of his suggestion that we should ensure that equipment are being properly maintained and serviced. We will take note of his suggestion and ensure that that is so.

In the area of cosmetic lasers, we have found that most of the cosmetic lasers used are of extremely low power and do not pose any hazards. We will continue to ensure that they remain so and that they will not be permitted to use higher powered lasers.

For microwave ovens, we will require the importers to advise owners of microwave ovens to send their machines only to approved workshops and that we will require the workshops to have certain checks and to keep a record of all the ovens that they have repaired and what were the faults so that they will be properly documented and followed up.

Question put, and agreed to.

Bill accordingly read a Second time and committed to a Committee of the whole House. - [Mr Yeo Cheow Tong].

Bill considered in Committee.

[Mr Speaker in the Chair]

Clause 1 -

The Chairman: The citation year will be changed to "1991". This will be done.

Clause 1 ordered to stand part of the Bill.

Clauses 2 to 30 inclusive ordered to stand part of the Bill.

Bill reported without amendment; read a Third time and passed.