EMRAS II
EMRAS II - Environmental Modelling for Radiation Safety
Background
The general aim of the EMRAS II Programme is to improve capabilities in the field of environmental radiation dose assessment by means of acquisition of improved data for model testing, comparison, reaching consensus on modelling philosophies, approaches and parameter values, development of improved methods and exchange of information.
EMRAS II continues some of the work of previous international exercises in the field of radioecological modelling and focuses on areas where uncertainties remain in the predictive capability of environmental models. These previous international exercises include BIOMOVS (BIOspheric Model Validation Study) and BIOMOVS II, initiated by the Swedish Radiation Authority in 1985, and the programmes sponsored by the IAEA: VAMP (Validation of Model Predictions, 1988-1996) and BIOMASS (BIOsphere Modelling and ASSessment, 1996-2001, and EMRAS which ran from 2003 to 2007.
The activities within the framework of the EMRAS II Programme emphasize on improvement of environmental transfer models for reducing associated uncertainties or developing new approaches to strengthen the evaluation of the radiological impact to man, as well as to flora and fauna, arising from radionuclides in the environment.
Objectives
The overarching objective of the IAEA’s activities in environmental modelling is to enhance the capabilities of Member States to simulate radionuclide transfer in the environment and, thereby, to assess exposure levels of the public and in the environment in order to ensure an appropriate level of protection from the effects of ionizing radiation, associated with radionuclide releases and from existing radionuclides in the environment. Specific objectives in the areas of radioactive release assessment, restoration of sites with radioactive residues, and environmental protection are:
- To test the performance of models developed for assessing the transfer of radionuclides in the environment and radiological impact to man and environment
- To develop and improve models for particular environments and, where appropriate, to agree on data sets that are generally applicable in environmental transfer models
- To provide an international forum for the exchange of experience, ideas and research information
Organization of the EMRAS II Programme
The EMRAS II Programme will be run from 2009 to 2011. It was launched at its First Technical Meeting which was held at the IAEA's Headquarters in Vienna from 19 to 23 January 2009. The implementation of the EMRAS II Programme will be led by a Steering Committee (SC) that will generally meet during the annual Technical Meeting at the IAEA’s Headquarters in Vienna; if necessary, additional meetings may be organized. Mr Gerhard Proehl is the overall Scientific Secretary of the EMRAS II Programme.
Structure of Meetings
Two types of meetings will be organized annually as part of the EMRAS II Programme:
- The annual Technical Meeting, which will generally be held at the IAEA’s Headquarters in Vienna during the first quarter of each year
- The interim Working Group Meetings which will generally take place in the second or third quarter of each year
During the week long Technical Meeting, typically Plenary Sessions will be held on the first and last days and, the remaining three days will be used for the Working Group Meetings.
Second EMRAS II Technical Meeting
The Second EMRAS II Technical Meeting will be held at the IAEA’s Headquarters in Vienna from 25 to 29 January 2010. Participation form
For further information please contact C. Halsall.
