Specialists from Armenia’s Nuclear and Radiation Safety Center (NRSC) participated in the Nuclear Forensics Technical Exchange, held on August 20–22 at Argonne National Laboratory, in Lemont, (Illinois, the US). The international event brought together experts to discuss radioactive source registries, field data collection, and the development of National Nuclear Forensics Libraries (NNFLs). Armenia was represented by Ms. Arpi Khachatryan, Mr. Karen Haroyan, and Ms. Anahit Petoyan. During the program, Ms. Petoyan, a PhD student at NRSC, delivered a presentation titled “Towards Accurate Quantification of Non-Homogeneous Swipe Samples in Gamma Spectrometry.” Her research addressed challenges in analyzing heterogeneous contamination and proposed methods to improve measurement accuracy in nuclear forensics investigations. The program combined theoretical discussions—such as the expansion of the xARIS platform developed by NRSC and the outcomes of the ISTC cooperation project—with hands-on sessions using Argonne’s NNFL toolkit, field detection instruments, and integrated registry software. Such exchange of experience is an important step in developing nuclear forensics capabilities in Armenia, contributing to the creation of a National Nuclear Forensic Library.
NRSC specialists Satine Vardanyan and Karen Haroyan, as well as colleagues from the Armenian Nuclear Regulatory Authority and Radioactive Waste Disposal CJSC, visited Sweden to explore the country’s best practices in managing radioactive waste and spent nuclear fuel. As Armenia prepares to extend the operational life of the 2nd unit of the Armenian NPP, eventually decommission the current reactor, harmonise its regulatory framework with EU directives, modernise radioactive waste infrastructure, and establish a “National operator” for radioactive waste management, studying international experience has become essential. During the meetings, the Swedish specialists presented the country’s nuclear and radioactive waste management program, legal framework, licensing and inspection procedures. Sweden has one of the most effective and transparent radioactive waste management systems in the world, operating through the combined efforts of state oversight and private sector involvement. The Armenian delegation visited key institutions, including AB Svafo and Cyclife Sweden AB in Studsvik, as well as several SKB facilities in Oskarshamn. A key element of Sweden’s model is its Nuclear Waste Fund, financed by fees from waste generators and electricity producers. Established in the 1980s, the fund guarantees long-term financial sustainability and safety. This visit offered valuable opportunities for knowledge exchange, exposure to modern waste management approaches, and the initiation of future cooperation. It also laid the groundwork for a GAP analysis and a roadmap assessing and improving Armenia’s radioactive waste management infrastructure.
Although Iran’s nuclear facilities are not located near Armenia’s borders, a large-scale incident could potentially lead to the spread of radioactive substances, depending on wind patterns and the nature of the explosions. What monitoring capabilities does Armenia have? How is radiation monitored, where and how often does it take place, and what have recent measurements shown? Are there any risks for the population? These questions are addressed by Armen Amirjanyan, Director of the Nuclear and Radiation Safety Centre; Karen Haroyan, Senior Specialist at the Radiological Laboratory; and Khachatur Khachikyan, Acting Chairman of the Nuclear Safety Regulatory Committee of the Republic of Armenia.
