Protection of the environment in existing exposure situations

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The International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) recognises three types of exposure situations: planned, existing, and emergency. In all three situations, the release of radionuclides into the natural environment leads to exposures of non-human biota, as well as the potential for exposures of the public. This paper describes how the key principles of the ICRP system of radiological protection apply to non-human biota and members of the public in each of these exposure situations. Current work in this area within ICRP Task Group 105 is highlighted. For example, how simplified numeric criteria may be used in planned exposure situations that are protective of both the public and non-human biota. In emergency exposure situations, the initial response will always be focused on human protection; however, understanding the potential impacts of radionuclide releases on non-human biota will likely become important in terms of communication as governments and the public seek to understand the exposures that are occurring. For existing exposure situations, there is a need to better understand the potential impacts of radionuclides on animals and plants, especially when deciding on protective actions. Understanding the comparative impacts from radiological, non-radiological, and physical aspects is often important in managing the remediation of legacy sites. Task Group 105 is making use of case studies of how exposure situations have been managed in the past to provide additional guidance and advice for the protection of non-human biota.

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Copplestone et al (2016) explored several case studies to determine what might happen when considering the environment and, more specifically, non-human biota ICRP 2017 Proceedings…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Implementation of the integrated approach in different types of exposure scenarios

Copplestone

Hirth²,

Johansen

et al. 2018

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“…The facility was licensed as a 'prescribed legacy site' under the ARPANS Act in July 2016, becoming the first site licensed under this new classification, and is an example of an existing exposure situation under regulatory control. The LFLS was presented as a case study at the ICRP symposium in 2015 (Copplestone et al, 2016). As noted by Copplestone et al, assessments of the potential impacts on humans and wildlife applied the ICRP recommendations and the International Basic Safety Standards requirements for existing exposure situations.…”

Section: Case Study 4: Little Forest Legacy Sitementioning

confidence: 99%

Australia’s proactive approach to radiation protection of the environment: how integrated is it with radiation protection of humans?

Hirth¹,

Grzechnik²,

Tinker³

et al. 2018

Australia's regulatory framework has evolved over the past decade from the assumption that protection of humans implies protection of the environment to the situation now where radiological impacts on non-human species (wildlife) are considered in their own right. In an Australian context, there was a recognised need for specific national guidance on protection of non-human species, for which the uranium mining industry provides the major backdrop. National guidance supported by publications of the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (Radiation Protection Series) provides clear and consistent advice to operators and regulators on protection of non-human species, including advice on specific assessment methods and models, and how these might be applied in an Australian context. These approaches and the supporting assessment tools provide a mechanism for industry to assess and demonstrate compliance with the environmental protection objectives of relevant legislation, and to meet stakeholder expectations that radiological protection of the environment is taken into consideration in accordance with international best practice. Experiences from the past 5-10 years, and examples of where the approach to radiation protection of the environment has been well integrated or presented some challenges will be discussed. Future challenges in addressing protection of the environment in existing exposure situations will also be discussed.

“…Indeed, the systems for protection of people and for protection of the environment can be used in an integrated manner -when warranted -to protect people and the environment. While protection of people is the primary concern in most situations, certain scenarios may benefit from an integrated approach; other situations may require decisions based solely on environmental considerations (Copplestone, 2012;Pentreath, 2012b;ICRP, 2014;Pentreath et al, 2015;Copplestone et al, 2016).…”

Section: Elements Of the Icrp Environmental Protection Systemmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Furthermore, the ongoing update of the IAEA generic models for assessing the impact of radioactive discharges (IAEA, 2001) is providing examples of planned exposure situations. Copplestone et al (2016) provided examples of case studies and sites available for studies of environmental protection under emergency and existing exposure situations. Key messages to date state that such exposure scenarios require site-specific decisions, and that sometimes both humans and biota need to be considered when developing the management strategy.…”

Section: Further Development Of the System For Application In Specifimentioning

confidence: 99%

Overview of ICRP Committee 5: protection of the environment

Cm¹

2016

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Protection of the environment is integral to the system of radiological protection, as outlined in the 2007 Recommendations of the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP, Publication 103). The Commission's activities in this area are mainly pursued by Committee 5 and its associated Task Groups. Publication 91 broadly outlines the approach to radiological protection of the environment, and its alignment with approaches to environmental protection from hazardous substances in general. Publications 108 and 114 provide the cornerstones of the environmental protection system and relevant databases. Publication 124 considers its application in planned, existing, and emergency exposure situations. The system centres on 12 Reference Animals and Plants (RAPs) with broad relevance for environmental protection based on their ubiquity and significance as well as other criteria, as described in Publication 108 The databases comprise general biology of the RAPs, transfer parameters, dose conversion coefficients, and effects data. Derived Consideration Reference Levels (DCRLs) were established for each RAP; a DCRL represents a band of dose rates that might result in some deleterious effects in individuals of that type of RAP. Newly established Task Group 99 will compile the RAP-specific reference information into monographs, with the view of updating information and improving the applicability of the system in different exposure situations. For certain scenarios, more precise and ecosystem-specific protection benchmarks may be justified, which would have to be informed by consideration of representative organisms (i.e. representative of a particular ecosystem and relevant to the specific scenario; Publication 124). Committee 5 will explore this further, making use of a limited number of case studies.