Browsing by Author "Hoffmann, EL"

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    12th South Pacific Environmental Radioactivity Association Conference (SPERA 2012)
    (Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation, 2012-10-16) Heijnis, H; Payne, TE; Lickiss, J; Bruhn, F; Zettinig, M; Zawadzki, A; Hoffmann, EL; Child, DP
    Welcome to the 12th South Pacific Radioactivity Association Conference, welcome back in Sydney. The conference will be hosted by the Australian Institute for Nuclear Science and Engineering and the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation. The program for the 12th SPERA conference is very exciting, with key-note speakers setting the scene for a diverse range of sessions. The conference will conclude by offering the participants a tour of ANSTO’s new facilities. We would like to thank Jorden Lickiss for her tireless efforts in conference management. We also like to thank our sponsors AINSE, ANSTO and Nucletron for their financial support. We look forward to your participation and a successful conference.
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    131I discharges to the marine environment and uptake by algae in Sydney, Australia
    (South Pacific Radioactivity Association, 2008-11-25) Veliscek-Carolan, J; Hughes, CE; Hoffmann, EL; Loosz, T
    The use of radiopharmaceuticals in nuclear medicine results in radioactive material being discharged to the sewer as human waste. Treated sewage effluent is in turn discharged to the marine environment through coastal and deepwater outfalls. 131l is the dominant medical isotope discharged to the environment as treatment doses can be large (up to 8 GBq) and excretion from patients is rapid. Also, 131l has a half life (8.04 days), which is significantly greater than the effluent residence time in the sewerage system (< 1 day), and a low Kd resulting in a low removal during treatment. 131l levels from <1 to 150 Bq/L have been measured in effluent from Sydney sewage treatment plants. Following discharge of effluent to ocean outfalls, 131l levels in the seawater are likely to be low as a result of dispersion and dilution of the effluent. However, 131I is easily detected in macroalgae growing near coastal outfalls as the algae bio-accumulate iodine. In fact, 131I levels between 1 and 375 Bq/kg have been observed in various macroalgae species near the outfall from Cronulla sewage treatment plant in Sydney, since November 1995. This paper presents data on 131l levels in effluent and uptake by algae growing near shoreline outfalls in the Sydney region. Radiation doses to marine biota from 131l discharged to coastal waters are calculated to be very small and below the ERICA screening level of l0 uGy/hr. Human dose assessment is also discussed.
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    Abatement of xenon and iodine emissions from medical isotope production facilities
    (American Nuclear Society, 2014-08-27) Doll, CG; Sorensen, CM; Bowyer, TW; Friese, JI; Haynes, JC; Hoffmann, EL; Kephart, RF
    The capability of the International Monitoring System (IMS) to detect xenon from underground nuclear explosions is dependent on the radioactive xenon background. Adding to the background, medical isotope production (MIP) by fission releases several important xenon isotopes including xenon-133 and iodine-133 that decays to xenon-133. The amount of xenon released from these facilities may be equivalent to or exceed that released from an underground nuclear explosion. Thus the release of gaseous fission products within days of irradiation makes it difficult to distinguish MIP emissions from a nuclear explosion. In addition, recent shortages in molybdenum-99 have created interest and investment opportunities to design and build new MIP facilities in the United States and throughout the world. Due to the potential increase in the number of MIP facilities, a discussion of abatement technologies provides insight into how the problem of emission control from MIP facilities can be tackled. A review of practices is provided to delineate methods useful for abatement of medical isotopes.
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    Analytical method development for tritium in tree transpirate from the Little Forest Burial Ground
    (Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation, 2009-08) Twining, JR; Harrison, JJ; Vine, M; Creighton, NM; Neklapilova, B; Hoffmann, EL
    The Little Forest Burial Ground (LFBG) is a near-surface low-level nuclear waste repository located within the buffer zone surrounding the Lucas Heights Research Laboratories of ANSTO (Figure 1). Tritium (3H, ‘T’), as tritiated water (HTO), was one of the radioactive substances placed into the trenches located within the LFBG (Isaacs and Mears, 1977). This material will behave conservatively in regard to any seepage from the site of deposition. As such, it should be a good indicator of groundwater movement at the site. Water is a vital requirement of plants. Hence, it was proposed that samples from herbs and trees may be useful to assess the biologically available HTO and also provide an indication of a potential exposure for environmental dose assessment, not only for 3H but also for the other radionuclides potentially migrating with the water from the trenches. As part of the initial draft plan for a vegetation survey in the LFBG (Twining and Creighton, 2007) the following two null hypotheses were established: H0a that there is no significantly higher concentration of specific contaminants in foliage of trees growing over, or adjacent to, the pits than there is in the foliage of the same species growing away from the pits; H0b that there is no correlation between contaminant levels in the seepage plume and surface vegetation. These hypotheses are to be tested using the acquired data. However, as part of the process of applying HTO in transpirate as a monitoring tool, some method development has been required. This report covers all aspects of that development and provides a recommended approach to acquiring such data and recording the information.
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    Dose assessment for marine biota and humans from discharge of (131)I to the marine environment and uptake by algae in Sydney, Australia
    (Elsevier, 2009-10-12) Carolan, JV; Hughes, CE; Hoffmann, EL
    Iodine-131 reaches the marine environment through its excretion to the sewer by nuclear medicine patients followed by discharge through coastal and deepwater outfalls. 131I has been detected in macroalgae, which bio-accumulate iodine, growing near the coastal outfall of Cronulla sewage treatment plant (STP) since 1995. During this study, 131I levels in liquid effluent and sludge from three Sydney STPs as well as in macroalgae (Ulva sp. and Ecklonia radiata) growing near their shoreline outfalls were measured. Concentration factors of 176 for Ulva sp. and 526 for E. radiata were derived. Radiation dose rates to marine biota from 131I discharged to coastal waters calculated using the ERICA dose assessment tool were below the ERICA screening level of 10 μGy/hr. Radiation dose rates to humans from immersion in seawater or consumption of Ulva sp. containing 131I were three and two orders of magnitude below the IAEA screening level of 10 μSv/year, respectively. year, respectively. Crown Copyright © 2009 Published by Elsevier Ltd
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    Dose assessment for marine biota and humans from discharge of 131I to the marine environment and uptake by algae in Sydney, Australia.
    (South Pacific Environmental Radioactivity Association, 2008-11-24) Veliscek-Carolan, J; Hughes, CE; Hoffmann, EL
    Iodine-131 reaches the marine environment through its excretion to the sewer by nuclear medicine patients followed by discharge through coastal and deepwater outfalls. (131)I has been detected in macroalgae, which bio-accumulate iodine, growing near the coastal outfall of Cronulla sewage treatment plant (STP) since 1995. During this study, (131)I levels in liquid effluent and sludge from three Sydney STPs as well as in macroalgae (Ulva sp. and Ecklonia radiata) growing near their shoreline outfalls were measured. Concentration factors of 176 for Ulva sp. and 526 for E. radiata were derived. Radiation dose rates to marine biota from (131)I discharged to coastal waters calculated using the ERICA dose assessment tool were below the ERICA screening level of 10muGy/hr. Radiation dose rates to humans from immersion in seawater or consumption of Ulva sp. containing (131)I were three and two orders of magnitude below the IAEA screening level of 10muSv/year, respectively.
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    Environmental and effluent monitoring at ANSTO sites, 1999
    (Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation, 2000) Hoffmann, EL; Loosz, T; Mokhber-Shahin, L
    Results are presented of environmental and effluent monitoring conducted in 1999 at the two sites owned and operated by ANSTO at the Lucas Heights Science and Technology Centre (LHSTC) and the National Medical Cyclotron (NMC). All low-level liquid and gaseous effluent discharges complied with existing discharge authorisations and relevant environmental regulations. Potential effective doses to the general public from LHSTC controlled airborne discharges were estimated for 1999 using the PC-Cream atmospheric dispersion and dosimetry code. The potential effective doses to the public in 1999 were estimated to be less than 0.010 mSv/year for all receptor locations on the LHSTC 1.6 km buffer zone boundary or beyond. This value represents 1% of the I milli sievert (mSv) per year dose limit for long term exposure that is recommended by the National Health and Medical Research Council and 3.3% of the LHSTC site dose constraint of 0.3 mSv/year. It is concluded that there is no impact on the health of the community staff or the environment as a consequence of operations at the Lucas Heights Science and Technology Centre or the National Medical Cyclotron.
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    Environmental and effluent monitoring at ANSTO sites, 2000
    (Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation, 2001) Hoffmann, EL; Loosz, T; Mokhber-Shahin, L
    Results are presented of environmental surveillance and effluent monitoring conducted in the calendar year 2000 at the two sites owned and operated by ANSTO at the Lucas Heights Science and Technology Centre (LHSTC) and the National Medical Cyclotron (NMC). All low-level liquid and gaseous effluent discharges complied with existing discharge authorisations and relevant environmental regulations. Potential effective doses to the general public from LHSTC controlled airborne discharges were estimated for 2000 using the PC-Cream atmospheric dispersion and dosimetry code. The potential effective doses to the public in 2000 were estimated to be less than 0.01 mSv/year for all receptor locations on the LHSTC 1.6 km buffer zone boundary or beyond. This value represents 1 % of the 1 milli sievert (mSv) per year dose limit for long term exposure that is recommended by the National Health and Medical Research Council and 3.3% of the LHSTC site dose constraint of 0.3 mSv/year. It is concluded that there is no impact on the health of the community staff or the environment as a consequence of operations at the Lucas Heights Science and Technology Centre or the National Medical Cyclotron.
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    Environmental and effluent monitoring at ANSTO sites, 2001
    (Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation, 2001) Hoffmann, EL; Loosz, T
    Results are presented of environmental surveillance and effluent monitoring conducted in the calendar year 2001 at the two sites owned and operated by ANSTO at the Lucas Heights Science and Technology Centre (LHSTC) and the National Medical Cyclotron (NMC). All low-level liquid and gaseous effluent discharges complied with existing discharge authorisations and relevant environmental regulations. Potential effective doses to the general public from LHSTC-controlled airborne discharges were estimated for 2001 using the PC-Cream atmospheric dispersion and dosimetry code. The potential effective doses to the public in 2001 were estimated to be less than 0.01 mSv/year for all receptor locations on the LHSTC 1.6 km buffer zone boundary or beyond. This is well below the ALARA objective of 0.02 mSv per year for off-site doses that ANSTO has set and much lower than the public dose limit of 1 mSv per year (above natural background and medical doses) and the natural background dose in Australia of 1.5 mSv per year (Webb et al; 1999). It is concluded that there is no impact on the health of the community as a consequence of operations at the Lucas Heights Science and Technology Centre or the National Medical Cyclotron.
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    Environmental and effluent monitoring at ANSTO sites, 2002-2003
    (Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation, 2003-06) Hoffmann, EL; Ferris, JM; Markich, SJ
    This report presents the results of environmental and effluent monitoring at the Lucas Heights Science and Technology Centre (LHSTC) and the National Medical Cyclotron (NMC) from January 2002 to June 2003. Potential effective dose rates to the general public from airborne discharges from the LHSTC site were less than 0.01 mSv/year, well below the 1 mSv/year dose rate limit for long term exposure that is recommended by the Australian National Occupational Health and Safety Commission. The effective dose rates to hypothetical individuals potentially exposed to radiation in routine liquid effluent discharges from the LHSTC were recently calculated to be less than 0.001 mSv/year. This is much less than dose rates estimated for members of public potentially exposed to airborne emissions. The levels of tritium detected in groundwater and stormwater at the LHSTC were less than the Australian drinking water guidelines. The airborne and liquid effluent emissions from the NMC were below the ARPANSA-approved notification levels and NSW EPA limits, respectively. ANSTO's routine operations at the LHSTC and the NMC make only a very small addition to the natural background radiation dose experienced by members of the Australian public.
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    Environmental and effluent monitoring at ANSTO sites, 2004-2005
    (Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation, 2005-11) Hoffmann, EL; Loosz, T; Ferris, JM; Harrison, JJ
    This report presents the results of ANSTO's environmental and effluent monitoring at the Lucas Heights Science and Technology Centre (LHSTC) and the National Medical Cyclotron (NMC) sites, from July 2004 to June 2005. Effective doses to the critical group of members of the public potentially affected by routine airborne emissions from the LHSTC were less than 0.005 mSv/year. This estimated maximum potential dose is less than 24% of the ANSTO ALARA objective of 0.02 mSv/year, and much lower than the public dose limit of 1 mSv/year that is recommended by the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA). The effective doses to the critical group of members of the public potentially exposed to routine liquid effluent releases from the LHSTC have been realistically estimated as a quarter (or less) of the estimated doses to the critical group for airborne releases. The levels of tritium detected in groundwater and stormwater at the LHSTC were less than those set out in the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines. The airborne and liquid effluent emissions from the NMC were below both the ARPANSA-approved notification levels and Sydney Water limits for acceptance of trade wastewater to sewer. Results of environmental monitoring at both ANSTO sites confirm that the facilities continue to be operated well within regulatory limits. ANSTO's routine operations at the LHSTC and NMC make only a very small addition to the natural background radiation dose of ~1.5 mSv/year experienced by members of the Australian public.
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    Environmental and effluent monitoring at ANSTO sites, 2005-2006
    (Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation, 2007-03) Hoffmann, EL; Loosz, T; Ferris, JM; Harrison, JJ
    This report presents the results of ANSTO's environmental and effluent monitoring at Lucas Heights Science and Technology Centre (LHSTC) and the National Medical Cyclotron (NMC) sites, from July 2005 to June 2006. Estimated effective doses to the critical group of members of the public potentially affected by routine airborne emissions from the LHSTC were less that 0.005 mSv/year. The maximum potential dose was 23% of the ANSTO ALARA objective of 0.02 mSv/year, much lower than the public dose limit of 1mSv/year that is recommended by the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Authority (ARPANSA). The effective doses to the critical groups of members of the public potentially exposed to routine liquid effluent releases from the LHSTC have been realistically estimated as a quarter (or less) of the estimated doses to the critical group for airborne releases. The medium tritium concentrations detected in groundwater and surface waters at the LHSTC were typically less than 2% of those set out in the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines. The airborne emissions from the NMC were below the ARPANSA-approved notification levels. Results of environmental monitoring at both ANSTO sites confirm that the facilities continue to be operated well within regulatory limits. ANSTO's routine operations at the LHSTC and NMC make only a very small addition to the natural background radiation dose of ~1.5 mSv/year experienced by members of the Australian public.
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    Environmental and effluent monitoring at ANSTO sites, 2006-2007
    (Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation, 2008-03) Hoffmann, EL; Loosz, T; Ferris, JM
    This report presents the results of ANSTO’s environmental and effluent monitoring at the Lucas Heights Science and Technology Centre (LHSTC) and the National Medical Cyclotron (NMC) sites, from July 2006 to June 2007. Estimated effective doses to the members of the public potentially affected by routine airborne emissions from the LHSTC were lower than in previous years due to the closure of the HIFAR research reactor. The maximum potential off-site dose of 0.002 mSv/year was 10% of the As Low As Reasonably Achievable (ALARA) objective of 0.02 mSv/year, and much lower than the public dose limit of 1 mSv/year that is recommended by the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA). The effective doses to the critical group potentially exposed to routine liquid effluent releases from the LHSTC have been realistically assessed at less than 25% of the estimated doses to the critical group for airborne releases. Based on releases of liquid effluent from the LHSTC during 2006-07, a radiological risk assessment was conducted for marine biota in the receiving environment at Potter Point. The possible dose-rates to various species of marine biota were evaluated against international criteria recommended for the protection of biota from radiological hazards. In all cases it was concluded that the radiological risk to marine biota from ANSTO’s effluent releases was negligible. The median tritium concentrations detected in groundwater and surface waters at the LHSTC were typically less than 2% of those set out in the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines. The airborne emissions from the NMC were below the ARPANSA-approved notification levels. Results of environmental monitoring at both ANSTO sites confirm that the facilities continue to be operated well within regulatory limits. ANSTO’s routine operations at the LHSTC and NMC make only a very small addition to the natural background radiation dose of approximately 1.5 mSv/year experienced by members of the Australian public.
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    Environmental and effluent monitoring at ANSTO sites: 2003-2004
    (Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation, 2004-10) Hoffmann, EL; Ferris, JM; Harrison, JJ; Loosz, T
    This report presents the results of ANSTO's environmental and effluent monitoring at the Lucas Heights Science and Technology Centre (LHSTC) and the National Medical Cyclotron (NMC) sites, from July 2003 to June 2004. Effective doses to the critical group of members of the public potentially affected by routine airborne emissions from the LHSTC were less than 0.004 mSv/year. This estimated maximum potential dose is less than 20% of the ANSTO ALARA objective of 0.02 mSv/year and much lower than the public dose limit of 1 mSv/year that is recommended by the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA). The effective doses to the critical group of members of the public potentially exposed to routine liquid effluent releases from the LHSTC have been realistically estimated as a quarter (or less) of the estimated doses to the critical group for airborne releases. The levels of tritium detected in groundwater and stormwater at the LHSTC were less than the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines. The airborne and liquid effluent emissions from the NMC were below the ARPANSA-approved notification levels and NSW Department of Environment and Conservation limits, respectively. Results of environmental monitoring at both ANSTO sites confirm that the facilities continue to be operated well within regulatory limits. Members of the public are exposed to only very small doses of radiation from ANSTO's routine airborne and liquid effluent releases.
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    Environmental and effluent monitoring at Lucas Heights Research Laboratories, 1994
    (Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation, 1995-12) Hoffmann, EL; Camilleri, A; Loosz, T; Farrar, Y
    Results are presented of environmental and effluent monitoring conducted in the vicinity of the Lucas Heights Research Laboratories (LHRL) during 1994. All low level liquid and gaseous effluent discharges complied with existing discharge authorisations and relevant environmental regulations. Potential effective doses to the general public from controlled airborne discharges during this period were estimated to be less than 0.015 mSv/year for receptor locations on the 1.6 km buffer zone boundary around HIFAR. This value represents 1.5% of the 1 mSv/ year dose limit for long term exposure that is recommended by the National Health and Medical Research Council and 5 % of the site dose constraint of 0.3 mSv/year adopted by ANSTO.
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    Environmental and effluent monitoring at Lucas Heights Science and Technology Centre, 1995
    (Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation, 1996-05) Hoffmann, EL; Loosz, T; Farrar, Y
    Results are presented of environmental and effluent monitoring conducted in the vicinity of the Lucas Heights Science and Technology Centre (LHS&TC) during 1995. All low-level liquid and gaseous effluent discharges complied with existing discharge authorisations and relevant environmental regulations. Potential effective doses to the general public from controlled airborne discharges during this period, were estimated to be less than 0.01 mSv/year for receptor locations on the 1.6 km buffer zone boundary around HIFAR. This value represents 1 % of the 1 mSv/year dose limit for long term exposure that is recommended by the National Health and Medical Research Council and 3.3 % of the site dose constraint of 0.3 mSv/year adopted by ANSTO.
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    Environmental and effluent monitoring at Lucas Heights Science and Technology Centre, 1996
    (Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation, 1997-06) Hoffmann, EL; Loosz, T; Farrar, Y
    Results are presented of environmental and effluent monitoring conducted in the vicinity of the Lucas Heights Science and Technology Centre (LHS&TC) during 1996. All low-level liquid and gaseous effluent discharges complied with existing discharge authorisations and relevant environmental regulations. Potential effective doses to the general public from controlled airborne discharges during this period, were estimated to be less than 0.010 mSv/year for receptor locations on the 1.6 km buffer zone boundary around HIFAR. This value represents 1 % of the 1 mSv/year dose limit for long term exposure that is recommended by the National Health and Medical Research Council and 3.3% of the site dose constraint of 0.3 mSv/year adopted by ANSTO.
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    Environmental and effluent monitoring at Lucas Heights Science and Technology Centre, 1997
    (Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation, 1998-11) Hoffmann, EL; Loosz, T; Farrar, Y
    Results are presented of environmental and effluent monitoring conducted in the vicinity of the Lucas Heights Science and Technology Centre (LHSTC) during 1997. All low-level liquid and gaseous effluent discharges complied with existing discharge authorisations and relevant environmental regulations. Potential effective doses to the general public from controlled airborne discharges from HIFAR were estimated utilising the PC-Cream atmospheric dispersion and dosimetry code. The potential effective dose to the public was estimated to be less than 0.010 mSv/year for all receptor locations on the 1.6 km buffer zone boundary around the HIFAR research reactor. This value represents 1% of the 1 mSv/year dose limit for long term exposure that is recommended by the National Health and Medical Research Council and 10% of the HIFAR dose constraint of 0.1 mSv/year.
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    Environmental and effluent monitoring at Lucas Heights Science and Technology Centre, 1998
    (Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation, 1998) Hoffmann, EL; Loosz, T; Farrar, Y; Mokhber-Shahin, L
    Results are presented of environmental and effluent monitoring conducted in the vicinity of the Lucas Heights Science and Technology Centre (LHSTC) during 1998. All low-level liquid and gaseous effluent discharges complied with existing discharge authorizations and relevant environmental regulations. Potential effective doses to the general public from controlled airborne discharges from HIFAR were estimated utilising the PC-Cream atmospheric dispersion and dosimetry code. The potential effective dose to the public was estimated to be less than 0.010 mSv/year for all receptor locations on the 1.6 km buffer zone boundary around the HIFAR research reactor. This value represents 1% of the 1 mSv/year dose limit for long term exposure that is recommended by the National Health and Medical Research Council and 3.3% of the site dose constraint of 0.3 mSv/year approved by the Nuclear Safety Bureau. It is concluded that there is no impact on the health of the community staff or the environment as a consequence of operations at the LHSTC.
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    Environmental monitoring at the Australian Nuclear Science & Technology Organisation (ANSTO)
    (International Atomic Energy Agency, 2004-10-24) Ferris, JM; Harrison, JJ; Hoffmann, EL; Payne, TE; Szymczak, R
    The Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) operates several facilities, including Australia’s only research reactor, HIFAR, carrying out production of radiopharmaceuticals and research in nuclear science and technology. ANSTO is an agency of the Commonwealth of Australia. Most ANSTO facilities are at the Lucas Heights Science and Technology Centre (LHSTC), surrounded by a 1.6 km buffer zone, about 40 km southwest of Sydney. ANSTO also operates the National Medical Cyclotron (NMC), located on the grounds of Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in Camberdown, Sydney, which produces shortlived radioisotopes for medical investigations. ANSTO is committed to undertaking its activities in a manner that protects human health and the environment and is consistent with national and international standards and our activities are regulated by the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency [1] under the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Act (1998). ANSTO has a comprehensive monitoring programme for the main pathways for potential exposure from routine and accidental releases for radioactivity. Annually, approximately 6000 samples are taken and some 10,000 analyses are performed. ANSTO monitors the amounts of airborne emissions, the radioactive and non-radioactive contaminants released to the sewer and subsequently to local coastal waters, the quality of stormwater leaving the site, the quality of groundwater and soils and sediment in the general vicinity. The principal sources of potential radiation exposure to members of the general public from routine ANSTO operations at the LHSTC and National Medical Cyclotron are from airborne emissions and low- level liquid effluent discharges. The effective dose rate to a hypothetical individual potentially exposed to radiation in routine airborne discharges from the LHSTC during the 2002-03 fiscal year was less than 0.006 mSv/year, based on stack discharge data and concurrent meteorological information. This effective dose is well below the ALARA objective of 0.02 mSv/year and less than 1% of the public dose rate limit of 1 mSv/year for long term exposure that is recommended by the Australian Occupational Health and Safety Commission. It is also less than 1% of the natural background annual dose in Australia of about 1.5 mSv/year [2]. Thermoluminescent dosimeters placed around the LHSTC and at some local residences also demonstrate that the external gamma radiation levels at residential locations in the vicinity of the LHSTC were at normal background levels and not noticeably affected by ANSTO operations. ANSTO operations at the LHSTC and the NMC make only a very small addition to the background radiation dose, even for the comparatively few members of the public identified as potentially exposed to radionuclides entering the environment from the ANSTO sites. The results of the monitoring programme are published annually in documents within the series Environmental and Effluent Monitoring at ANSTO Sites [3 and references therein], copies of which are available in the local Sutherland Shire Central Library and on request from the ANSTO Communications Manager. The environmental and effluent monitoring programme at ANSTO is very much a team effort and acknowledgment goes to all associated staff for their valuable contributions.