Occupational health and safety and environmental aspect of heavy water production (Preprint No. SA-1)

Department of Atomic Energy has got a substantive heavy water production programme catering to the requirements of its nuclear power production based on CANDU design PHWR type of reactors. Since this production is based on chemical exchange of the heavy hydrogen content of or to natural hydrogen containing compounds such as H2S or NH3 which are either toxic or fire and explosion prone, the general health and safety criteria with respect to both occupational and public environment are needed. The present paper summarizes the ones that are applicable in the Indian programme. Particularly it emphasizes the acute toxicological effects which become more important under any accidental releases, without flaring in the case of H2S. (author). 9 refs., 2 tabs