Environmental and effluent monitoring at ANSTO sites, 2002-2003
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Date
2003-06
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation
Abstract
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.
Description
Keywords
ANSTO, Environmental impacts, Radioactive effluents, Water quality
Citation
Hoffmann, E. L., Ferris, J. M., & Markich, S.(2003). Environmental and effluent monitoring at ansto sites 2002-2003 (ANSTO/E-752). Lucas Heights, NSW: Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation.