Environmental Assessment

Assessment and control of radioactive discharges to the environment

Controlling the exposure of humans and non-human species from ionizing radiation

Rationale- The approaches applied to assess the impact of radionuclides discharged to the environment are undergoing a fundamental review and revision at national, regional and international levels. Thus, the radiological criteria against which doses to members of the public are assessed may change with the publication in 2007 of new ICRP recommendations. Also, new approaches to assess the impact of ionising radiation to non-human biota are being developed. Both issues have potentially significant implications for the Agency Safety Standards related to radioactive discharge control. The Agency, with its statutory role to establish safety standards, will continue to provide guidance on radioactive discharge control for all types of facilities. Special attention will be paid to facilities having small volume of discharge but sometimes with potential radiological impact to the public and the environment. A continuing review of national and international trends will be implemented to ensure the continuing applicability of the Agency’s guidance. The Agency safety standards series will also address explicitly the protection of the environment according to the International Plan of Activities on the Radiation Protection of the Environment approved by the Board of Governors in 2005.

The Agency has formal obligations with respect to certain international undertakings such as the London Convention and the OSPAR Convention, concerned with radioactive waste and the environment. These formal obligations require the Agency to respond to specific requests made by these international legal instruments on matters related to radioactive waste. Monitoring radionuclides in foodstuffs remains of substantial international interest and needs further harmonisation. This is relevant especially to international trade of food products in the light of the recent revision by the Codex Alimentarius Commission of guideline levels for radionuclides in foods. In the current international safety standards this issue is considered in the generic way however, specific guidance on the strategy of routine and emergency monitoring radionuclides in foodstuffs as well as data interpretation for purposes of radiation protection of the public, still needs to be developed. In implementing the UN resolution and Agency’s statutory functions the IAEA has committed itself to develop a database on discharges of radionuclides to the atmosphere and aquatic environment. In 2006, the third Technical Meeting on the Database on Radioactive Discharges to the Environment (DIRATA) recommended the long-term sustainable development and maintenance of the DIRATA database.

Objective

To broaden international agreement on rules and procedures for the control of discharges of radioactive materials to the environment taking into account exposure of both humans and non-human species in line with international undertakings, such as the London Convention and the OSPAR Convention.

Major Tasks for 2008-2009

  • Develop safety requirements on control of radioactive discharges and public exposure for inclusion into the revised International Basic Safety Standards (BSS)
  • Revise the Safety Guide on radioactive discharge control
  • Develop Safety Guide on Radiological Impact Assessment
  • Develop materials and Schedules on radioactive discharges and public exposure for revision of the International Basic Safety Standards (BSS) - in cooperation with international organizations
  • Organize a technical meeting on national and international trends in radioactive discharge control
  • Assess potential implications of the biota protection system for regulatory limits, and prepare materials for a report
  • Provide assistance to Member States with regard to international conventions on the protection of the oceans and the seas
  • Develop Safety Report on strategy of monitoring radionuclides in foodstuffs
  • Organize meeting on safety issues of environmental radioactivity and public exposure

For further information please contact D.Louvat

 

Achieving international agreement


Achieving international agreement on modelling environmental radionuclide transfer and doses to humans and non-human species

Rationale - The Agency has a long tradition of assisting Member States in improving their capabilities to assess radiation exposure levels of the public through providing the international guidance and organising projects on environmental model validation. In the recent years substantial progress in radioecological research has been achieved, which should be converted in the form of models used for radiation protection purposes. On the other hand, progress in nuclear technologies and increased demand for environmental protection in Member States requires model development for additional list of radionuclides and their physical and chemical forms.

Another reason for substantial efforts in environmental modelling is currently developing international system for radiation protection of the non-human species. At present, there is no international guidance on that challenging subject. According to its statutory obligation to provide for application of radiation safety standards, the Agency should endeavour to develop guidance on environmental modelling which satisfies existing social demand and reflects modern level of radioecological knowledge.

Objective

To improve the understanding of radionuclide transfer in the environment.

Major Tasks for 2008-2009

For further information please contact D.Louvat


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