Protection of the environment
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Date
2020-08-28
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
SAGE
Abstract
The International Commission on Radiological Protection’s (ICRP) system to protect the living components of the environment is designed to provide a broad and practical framework across different exposure situations. The framework recognises the need to be able to demonstrate an adequate level of protection in relation to planned exposure situations, whilst also providing an ability to manage existing and emergency situations in an appropriate way. In all three exposure situations, the release of radionuclides into the natural environment leads to exposures of non-human biota (wildlife), as well as having the potential for exposures of the public. How the key principles of the ICRP system of radiological protection apply in each of these exposure situations will be discussed. Using examples, we will demonstrate how the overall approach provides a mechanism for industry to assess and demonstrate compliance with the environmental protection objectives of relevant (national) legislation, and to meet stakeholder expectations that radiological protection of the environment is taken into consideration in accordance with international best practice. However, several challenges remain, and these will be discussed in the context of the need for additional guidance on the protection of the environment. Copyright © 2020 by International Commission of Radiological Protection, published by SAGE.
Description
Annals of the ICRP, 49, Supplement 1, consists of the Proceedings of the Fifth International Symposium on the System of Radiological Protection, Adelaide, South Australia, 17-21 November 2019. This paper does not necessarily reflect the views of the International Commission on Radiological Protection.
Keywords
Environment, Environmental protection, Habitat, Radiation protection, Radioisotopes, Accidents
Citation
Copplestone, D., Hirth, G. A., Cresswell, T., & Johansen, M. P. (2020). Protection of the environment. Proceedings of the Fifth International Symposium on the System of Radiological Protection, Adelaide, South Australia, 17-21 November 2019. In Annals of the ICRP, 49(Supplement 1), 46-56. doi:10.1177/0146645320944291