For complex radiation protection project, decision-aiding techniques, such as Cost-Benefit Analysis can be used. In 1973, the International Commission on Radiological Protection introduced the “reference monetary value of the man.sievert” to convert the benefit of a radiation protection option (averted exposure) in monetary term for comparison with it is cost. In 2017, an international survey has collected the reference monetary values of nuclear utilities and regulatory authorities. This article presents the data collected and analyzes them. Over the 220 reactors who answered, 176 (80%) are using the concept, expressing its longevity and relevance for optimization purposes. The utilities can use single value or set of reference values varying with the level of exposure. This survey also highlights the emergence of mixed and flexible systems. The collected values are largely spread (ratio 1:10 at least) and this is the opportunity to discuss the influence of the method used to calculate the reference value and notably the related concept of the Value of a human Statistical Life (VSL).
The European ALARA Network regularly organises workshops on topical issues in radiation protection. In light of the Fukushima accident, the most recent workshop questioned the application of the ALARA principle in emergency exposure situations. This memorandum presents the conclusions and recommendations of this workshop. One of the outcomes is that the process of optimisation in emergency exposure situations should be flexible enough to be able to modify or refine decisions over the course of an accident. In the urgent phase, decisions must be made in a very time-constrained environment, based on scarce, uncertain and sometimes unreliable information. In this phase, optimisation and protection strategies are therefore developed and applied on the basis of conservative assumptions or 'reasonably foreseeable worst-case scenario' which could lead to an overestimation of the consequences. In the intermediate phase, knowledge of the situation improves, and more time is available to make the decision. This is reflected by adopting a less conservative approach, and transitioning to a more appropriate optimisation adapted as effectively as possible to the various exposure situations. When the situation is eventually stabilized (transition phase), there is time to shape the measures taken previously to reflect local conditions in the affected territories. In every phase, consideration should be given to the stakeholders, so that their needs and requirements can be incorporated as effectively as possible.
The European ALARA Network regularly organises workshops on topical issues in radiation protection. The topic of the 18th workshop was ‘ALARA for Decommissioning and Site Remediation’. The workshop was jointly organised with the ISOE Working Group on Decommissioning (ISOE WG-DECOM) and the French Atomic Alternatives Energy and Atomic Energy Commission (CEA). The main objective was to examine the conceptual and practical aspects of the implementation of the optimisation principle (or ALARA principle) in the ‘nuclear’ and ‘non-nuclear’ sectors and also for legacy sites. This memorandum presents a synthesis of the presentations and working groups discussion that took place. It also summaries the conclusions from former EAN workshops on the same topic (1997, 2006) to highlight the commonalities and the new topics. The theoretical scheme for applying the ALARA principle is illustrated by the various presentations of decommissioning and remediation (D&R) projects given at the workshop. The theoretical scheme includes, a starting point, the planning and implementation of the D&R strategy (including ALARA analysis) and the definition of an end-state. To lay down the foundations of ALARA, the initial characterisation should be comprehensive; considering not only radiation protection but other risks and circumstances both on site and off site. Decision-making is not trivial because many factors influence the D&R strategy and they can be addressed together using an holistic approach. A general methodology for such an approach in D&R was drafted by the participants. Techniques are apparently industrially mature and dosimetric data suggest that good control has been achieved, however experience shows that the D&R strategy will go through multiple adaptations along the way. The management of wastes remains a challenge in many cases as well as the decision on the end-state leading to question of what is a ‘sustainable ALARA end-state?’.
Artificial intelligence (AI) is regarded as one of the most disruptive technology of the century and with countless applications. What does it mean for radiation protection? This article describes the fundamentals of machine learning (ML) based methods and presents the inaugural applications in different fields of radiation protection. It is foreseen that the usage of AI will increase in radiation protection. Consequently, this article explores some of the benefits and also the potential barriers and questions, including ethical ones, that can come out. The article proposes that collaboration between radiation protection professionals and data scientist experts can accelerate and guide the development of the algorithms for effective scientific and technological outcomes.
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