Papers in this volume: 5
1. Nuclear Energy at a Moment of Truth
Page: 17
Keywords: British Nuclear Energy Society (BNES), Carbon dioxide, Energy, Fossil fuels, Global warming, Nuclear industry, Political issues, Public opinion, Renewable energy sources, World Nuclear Association (WNA) formerly Uranium Institute
2. The potential benefits and drawbacks of deferring the decommissioning and dismantling of nuclear facilities
Author(s): Nash R.S. and Woollam P.B.
Page: 39
Keywords: Radioactive waste management - transport and disposal, Radioactivity, Waste management & disposal
Abstract: There is no doubt that decommissioning and dismantling (D&D) of redundant nuclear plants or sites at the end of operations is necessary. However, the timing of such work requires careful consideration and, in a world where political issues dominate, there may be a danger that safety and business drivers are ignored. To develop the strategy for D&D, several factors have to be considered and addressed. No one factor should form the sole justification for the approach to be adopted. Safety in all its forms must be the primary consideration, but the strategy must take account of all relevant factors. Part of the strategy decision process should be to consider whether short- or long-term deferral is a sensible option. This paper (presented in 2001, prior to the formation of the Liabilities Management Unit) looks at the benefits and drawbacks in terms of safety, impact on the environment, and overall costs.
3. Radiation protection at low doses - benefits and challenges
Author(s): Peckover R.S.
Page: 47
Keywords: Health physics, Radiation monitoring and dose management, Radiation protection, Radiological discharges, Radiological health and safety, Risk assessment
Abstract: Currently the dose to personnel is often comparable with natural background radiation and discharges to the environment are small compared with natural background radiation. There remains uncertainty as to what the risks are from radiation at these low dose levels. This paper discusses the present level of understanding and emphasises the important role that safety and radiation protection professionals play in furthering this knowledge so that the consequent expenditures are properly proportional to the true harm.
4. Environmental radioactivity surveillance under the Euratom Treaty
Author(s): Janssens A., Hornung-Lauxmann L. and Hunter G.
Page: 53
Keywords: Environment, European Community (EU), European Union, Legislation, Radiation monitoring and dose management, Radiation protection
Abstract: The Treaty establishing the Atomic Energy Community (Rome, 1957) introduced, at a very early stage of the development of nuclear energy, the need to ensure adequate protection of the health of workers and of members of the public in relation to the dangers arising from ionising radiation. This paper will concentrate on the requirements on environmental radioactivity surveillance (Articles?35�36), together with Article?37 which pertains to the impact of the disposal of radioactive waste in the environment.
5. Implementation of the OSPAR strategy with regard to radioactive substances - an Irish perspective
Author(s): Ryan T.P.
Page: 61
Keywords: Discharges, Ireland, OSPAR, Radiation monitoring and dose management
Abstract: In July 1998 at Sintra, Portugal, the Contracting Parties to the OSPAR Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment of the North-East Atlantic adopted a strategy for the purposes of directing the future work of the OSPAR Commission with regard to radioactive substances. The objective of the strategy is to prevent pollution of the maritime area from ionising radiation through progressive and substantial reductions of discharges, emissions and losses of radioactive substances, with the ultimate aim of attaining concentrations in the environment near background values for naturally occurring radioactive substances and close to zero for artificial radioactive substances. Ireland is currently in the process of finalising its national plan for the implementation of the Strategy which is due for submission to the OSPAR Commission by 1st July 2002. This paper sets out the regulatory framework and environmental monitoring arrangements with which Ireland will implement the strategy together with the concerns Ireland has with respect to monitoring the collective implementation of the strategy, transboundary issues and adherence to the precautionary principle.