Environmental assessment

Assessment and Management of Radioactive Discharges to the Environment

Objective - "To strengthen Member State ability to control discharges of radioactive materials to the environment and to assess their impact on the public and the environment".

The IAEA has a long tradition of establishing and providing for the application of international safety standards related to the control, assessment and monitoring of discharges of radioactive substances to the environment. Current and forthcoming changes in ICRP recommendations and international practices in application of the international safety standards, as well as a recently initiated revision of the Basic Safety Standards (SS 115), justify further development of safety standards for protection of the public and the environment from radioactive materials and waste discharged to the environment. After approval in 2005 of the International Plan of Activities on the Radiation Protection of the Environment, the Agency has become the coordinator of the international effort in this domain.

Although an international safety standard for environmental and source monitoring of radionuclides has recently been published, there remain a number of issues where specific guidance is needed. A consistent approach to assist Member States in the monitoring of radionuclides in food and drinking water to comply with international standards should be developed. The worldwide repository of records on radioactive discharges to the environment should be maintained and further developed for the benefit of Member States.

Several international organizations are involved in the control of pollutants in the environment and, because of its recognized competence in this field, the Agency must continue to interact with and advise such organizations - some of which are listed below - in relation to radioactive materials in the environment.

Highlights and recent developments

For further information please contact D.Louvat


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