Radiation dose calculations for inadvertent intruders

Conference · Tue Nov 01 04:00:00 EST 1988

OSTI ID:6772459

Napier, B A; Kennedy, Jr, W E

For low-level radioactive wastes disposed of near the surface of the earth, the possibility exists that at some future time a person or persons could inadvertently contact the wastes and receive a radiation dose as a result. This possibility has been recognized by numerous organizations and forms part of the basis for waste disposal regulations. This paper reviews the many types of intruder scenarios that have been proposed by various agencies, along with the parameters that are important to them. The uses of the various scenarios are illustrated. The applications of recently evolving uncertainty techniques are emphasized. The possibility that people could accidentally come in contact with buried wastes at some time in the future has led to several considerations in waste management. Regulations state that design, operation, and closure of the land disposal facility must ensure protection of any individual inadvertently intruding into the disposal site and occupying the site or contacting the waste at any time after active institutional controls over the disposal site are removed. Site suitability requirements, specifically those for low population density and absence of valuable resources, are based on minimizing the potential for human intrusion. The requirements for waste form classification and the extent of cover and barrier requirements for Class C waste are designed to minimize the dose to inadvertent intruders. 8 refs.

• Research Organization: Pacific Northwest Lab., Richland, WA (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: AC06-76RL01830
• OSTI ID: 6772459
• Report Number(s): PNL-SA-16440; CONF-8811141-1; ON: DE89004353
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS
12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE WASTES FROM NUCLEAR FACILITIES
BIOINTRUSION
DOSE EQUIVALENTS
DRILLING
ENVIRONMENTAL TRANSPORT
FORECASTING
GROUND DISPOSAL
HAZARDS
HEALTH HAZARDS
HUMAN POPULATIONS
INTRUSION
LAND USE
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MANAGEMENT
MASS TRANSFER
MATERIALS
PLANNING
POPULATIONS
RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS
RADIOACTIVE WASTES
WASTE DISPOSAL
WASTE MANAGEMENT
WASTES
WELL DRILLING