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Title: The fate and behaviour of enhanced natural radioactivity with respect to environmental protection

Abstract

In contrast to the monitoring and prevention of occupational radiation risk caused by enhanced natural radioactivity, relatively little attention has been paid to the environmental impact associated with residues containing enhanced activity concentration of naturally occurring radionuclides. Such materials are often deposited directly into the environment, a practice which is strictly forbidden in the management of other types of radioactive waste. In view of the new trends in radiation protection, the need to consider the occurrence of anthropogenically enhanced natural radioactivity as a particular unique case of environmental hazard is quite apparent. Residues containing high activity concentrations of some natural radionuclides differ from radioactive materials arising from the nuclear industry. In addition, the radiation risk is usually combined with the risk caused by other pollutants. As such and to date, there are no precise regulations regarding this matter and moreover, the non-nuclear industry is often not aware of potential environmental problems caused by natural radioactivity. This article discusses aspects of environmental radiation risks caused by anthropogenically enhanced natural radioactivity stored at unauthorised sites. Difficulties and inconclusiveness in the application of recommendations and models for radiation risk assessment are explored. General terms such as 'environmental effects' and the basic parameters necessarymore » to carry out consistent and comparable Environmental Risk Assessment (ERA) have been developed and defined. - Highlights: Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Features of environmental impact caused by residues containing high activity concentration of natural radionuclides Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Definition of an effect of radiation on an ecosystem and novel method for its assessment Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Radiation protection regulation inconclusiveness in the aspects of enhanced natural radioactivity.« less

Authors:
 [1];  [2];  [3]
  1. Laboratory of Radiometry, Central Mining Institute (GIG), Plac Gwarkow 1, 40-166 Katowice (Poland)
  2. Norwegian Radiation Protection Authority (NRPA), Grini naeringspark 13, 1361 Osteras Norway (Norway)
  3. Central Laboratory for Radiological Protection (CLOR), ul. Konwaliowa 7, 03-194 Warszawa Poland (Poland)
Publication Date:
OSTI Identifier:
22131086
Resource Type:
Journal Article
Journal Name:
Environmental Impact Assessment Review
Additional Journal Information:
Journal Volume: 38; Other Information: Copyright (c) 2012 Elsevier Science B.V., Amsterdam, The Netherlands, All rights reserved.; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); Journal ID: ISSN 0195-9255
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES; CONCENTRATION RATIO; CONTAMINATION REGULATIONS; ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS; ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION; NATURAL RADIOACTIVITY; RADIATION PROTECTION; RADIOACTIVE WASTES; RADIOECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION; RECOMMENDATIONS; RISK ASSESSMENT

Citation Formats

Michalik, B., E-mail: b.michalik@gig.eu, Brown, J., E-mail: Justin.Brown@nrpa.no, and Krajewski, P., E-mail: krajewski@clor.waw.pl. The fate and behaviour of enhanced natural radioactivity with respect to environmental protection. United States: N. p., 2013. Web. doi:10.1016/J.EIAR.2012.09.001.
Michalik, B., E-mail: b.michalik@gig.eu, Brown, J., E-mail: Justin.Brown@nrpa.no, & Krajewski, P., E-mail: krajewski@clor.waw.pl. The fate and behaviour of enhanced natural radioactivity with respect to environmental protection. United States. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.EIAR.2012.09.001
Michalik, B., E-mail: b.michalik@gig.eu, Brown, J., E-mail: Justin.Brown@nrpa.no, and Krajewski, P., E-mail: krajewski@clor.waw.pl. 2013. "The fate and behaviour of enhanced natural radioactivity with respect to environmental protection". United States. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.EIAR.2012.09.001.
@article{osti_22131086,
title = {The fate and behaviour of enhanced natural radioactivity with respect to environmental protection},
author = {Michalik, B., E-mail: b.michalik@gig.eu and Brown, J., E-mail: Justin.Brown@nrpa.no and Krajewski, P., E-mail: krajewski@clor.waw.pl},
abstractNote = {In contrast to the monitoring and prevention of occupational radiation risk caused by enhanced natural radioactivity, relatively little attention has been paid to the environmental impact associated with residues containing enhanced activity concentration of naturally occurring radionuclides. Such materials are often deposited directly into the environment, a practice which is strictly forbidden in the management of other types of radioactive waste. In view of the new trends in radiation protection, the need to consider the occurrence of anthropogenically enhanced natural radioactivity as a particular unique case of environmental hazard is quite apparent. Residues containing high activity concentrations of some natural radionuclides differ from radioactive materials arising from the nuclear industry. In addition, the radiation risk is usually combined with the risk caused by other pollutants. As such and to date, there are no precise regulations regarding this matter and moreover, the non-nuclear industry is often not aware of potential environmental problems caused by natural radioactivity. This article discusses aspects of environmental radiation risks caused by anthropogenically enhanced natural radioactivity stored at unauthorised sites. Difficulties and inconclusiveness in the application of recommendations and models for radiation risk assessment are explored. General terms such as 'environmental effects' and the basic parameters necessary to carry out consistent and comparable Environmental Risk Assessment (ERA) have been developed and defined. - Highlights: Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Features of environmental impact caused by residues containing high activity concentration of natural radionuclides Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Definition of an effect of radiation on an ecosystem and novel method for its assessment Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Radiation protection regulation inconclusiveness in the aspects of enhanced natural radioactivity.},
doi = {10.1016/J.EIAR.2012.09.001},
url = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/22131086}, journal = {Environmental Impact Assessment Review},
issn = {0195-9255},
number = ,
volume = 38,
place = {United States},
year = {Tue Jan 15 00:00:00 EST 2013},
month = {Tue Jan 15 00:00:00 EST 2013}
}