Environmental and effluent monitoring at ANSTO sites: 2003-2004
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Date
2004-10
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation
Abstract
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.
Description
Keywords
ANSTO, Environmental impacts, Radioactive effluents, Water quality
Citation
Hoffmann, E. L., Ferris, J. M., Harrison, J. J., & Loosz. (2004). Environmental and effluent monitoring at ANSTO sites : 2003-2004 (ANSTO/E-755). Lucas Heights, NSW: Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation.