ALLIANCE perspectives on integration of humans and the environment into the system of radiological protection

Vandenhove, H.; Bradshaw, C.; Beresford, N.A.; Vives i Batlle, J.; Real, A.; Garnier-Laplace, J.. 2018 ALLIANCE perspectives on integration of humans and the environment into the system of radiological protection [in special issue: Proceedings of the Fourth International Symposium on the System of Radiological Protection] Annals of the ICRP, 47 (3-4). 285-297. 10.1177/0146645318756831

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Abstract/Summary

Risks posed by the presence of radionuclides in the environment require an efficient, balanced, and adaptable assessment for protecting exposed humans and wildlife, and managing the associated radiological risk. Exposure of humans and wildlife originate from the same sources releasing radionuclides to the environment. Environmental concentrations of radionuclides serve as inputs to estimate the dose to man, fauna, and flora, with transfer processes being, in essence, similar, which calls for a common use of transport models. Dose estimates are compared with the radiological protection criteria for humans and wildlife, such as those developed by the International Commission on Radiological Protection. This indicates a similarity in the approaches for impact assessment in humans and wildlife, although some elements are different (e.g. the protection endpoint for humans is stochastic effects on individuals, whereas for wildlife, it is deterministic effects on species and ecosystems). Human and environmental assessments are consistent and complementary in terms of how they are conducted and in terms of the underlying databases (where appropriate). Not having an integrated approach may cause difficulties for operators and regulators, for communication to stakeholders, and may even hamper decision making. For optimised risk assessment and management, the impact from non-radiation contaminants and stressors should also be considered. Both in terms of the underlying philosophy and the application via appropriate tools, the European Radioecology Alliance (ALLIANCE) upholds that integration of human and ecological impact and risk assessment is recommended from several perspectives (e.g. chemical/radiological risks).

Item Type:	Publication - Article
Digital Object Identifier (DOI):	10.1177/0146645318756831
UKCEH and CEH Sections/Science Areas:	Pollution (Science Area 2017-24)
ISSN:	0146-6453
Additional Keywords:	radioecology, human radiological protection, environmental protection, integration, risk assessment
NORA Subject Terms:	Ecology and Environment
Date made live:	25 Apr 2018 10:20 +0 (UTC)
URI:	https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/519878

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