PRESS NOTICE 
For immediate release

Moscow, 20 April 2011

RESULTS OF THE WORK OF ISTC TO ASSIST JAPAN IN AND AROUND FUKUSHIMA

Russian scientists and engineers can play a valuable role

The International Science and Technology Center (ISTC) has followed the developments in Fukushima, Japan very closely. 

The situation after Fukushima poses new challenges with respect to nuclear safety management, safety culture, international cooperation and energy management. International cooperation in these areas is of primary importance.

Today, as a response, ISTC has finalized a review of the results of its work in the nuclear sector. This review is related to research efforts that can be of use to the current situation in Fukushima. 
More than 150 ISTC funded projects were part of this review.
A number of technologies for possible use in Japan have been identified. More detailed information is needed to match the right technologies with the state of affairs on the ground. Russian scientists and engineers can play a valuable role in solving some of the outstanding problems. 
ISTC has served as a valuable mechanism to pool together the best expertise providing technologies for soil decontamination, severe accidents management and clean up.

The outcome of the work in the following scientific fields is of interest:
- Remediation of contaminated territories
- Mathematical models concerning radio nuclides
- Water pollution and control
- Decontamination of buildings and equipment
- Radiological impacts

Technologies for decontamination of soils as well as of water are available as well as other mitigation methods that can be used after a severe nuclear accident.
Models can be used to assess the transport of radio-nuclides by ground water for dealing with radioactive waste storage. 
Other tools relate to the calculation of the migration of radio-nuclides and of the impact for agriculture and food chains, including both crops and livestock. Further scientific results relate to different aspects of nuclear reactor safety.

Further steps
The review results have been submitted to the relevant Japanese and Russian authorities with the suggestion to develop more in-depth possibilities for actions. Detailed discussion could take place once the Japanese side has identified which technologies are of interest. The ISTC Governing Board will further discuss the matter during a meeting scheduled on 13 May 2011 in Moscow. Special support measures to facilitate exchanges of views between all interested parties are proposed.

Note for Editors:
1.The International Science and Technology Center (ISTC) is an intergovernmental organization connecting scientists from Russia, Georgia and other countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) with their peers and research organizations in Canada, EU, Japan, Republic of Korea, Norway and the United States.
ISTC facilitates international science projects and assists the global scientific and business community to source and engage with Russian and CIS institutes that develop or possess an excellence of scientific know-how.

2. Media Contact:
For full information contact:
Sebastien Dakin: +7 (495) 982 3264 / email: dakin@istc.ru
The International Science and Technology Center
Krasnoproletarskaya ul. 32-34,
P.O. Box 20, 127473 Moscow,
Russian Federation
Tel: +7 (495) 982-3200
Fax: +7 (499) 978-0110