Environmental and effluent monitoring at ANSTO sites, 2004-2005
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Date
2005-11
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 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.
Description
Keywords
ANSTO, Environmental impacts, Radioactive effluents, Water quality
Citation
Hoffmann, E. L., Loosz, T., Ferris, J. M., & Harrison, J. J. (2005). Environmental and effluent monitoring at ansto sites 2004-2005 (ANSTO/E-757). Lucas Heights, NSW: Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation.