RADIOLOGICAL PROTECTION OF THE ENVIRONMENT

In addition to the natural radiation and radioactive materials, radiation, and radioactive materials are present in the environment from the past practices of testing of nuclear weapons, large scale releases from accidents in nuclear and radiological facilities and the authorized releases from the nuclear fuel cycle facilities, including radioactive waste management facilities. Releases from the regulated facilities are well controlled to protect the environment. However, accidental releases or releases from unregulated practices are likely to harm the environment – flora and fauna. In such situations, one cannot assume that the environmental impact from the releases is negligible.

Subsequently, IAEA’s work programme on the development of safety standards on the protection of the environment from the effects of ionizing radiation culminated in the development of regulatory frame work, based on the IAEA’s policy on the radiological protection of the environment.  

ICRP in its publication 103 [2007] acknowledge the importance of protecting the environment in addition to the safety of members of the public by way of authorized discharges in planned exposure situations. To establish a framework for environmental protection in all exposure situations, like for humans. It is proposed to use Reference Animals and Plants for radiation dose assessment. However, no dose limits are not recommended. Thus, protection of the environment is identified as the issue necessitating an assessment of the impacts on the environment from a particular source(s).

 

Ref: IAEA, Radiation protection of the public and the environment, IAEA Safety Standards, General Safety Guide, GSG-8, IAEA, Vienna, 2018.