EnergyEnergyENERGY

Augustin Janssens

Head of UnitDG ENER D3

Radiation Protection

The European Union Framework for the The European Union Framework for the management of contaminated goodsmanagement of contaminated goods

EuropeanCommission

NERIS Topical WorkshopMadrid

22 May 2013

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Overview

• Fukushima• Food• Containers and goods

• Food legislation• Post-Chernobyl• Future accidents

– Regulation 3954/87

– Rationale

– Radiation Protection 105

– Revision

• International guidance (Codex Alimentarius, ICRP)• Optimisation of food controls• Non-food and transport

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FukushimaImpact on Europe and EC

Action

Import controls

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Import controls

• Concerns of EU citizens had an adverse effect on the market.

• Hence there was an urgent need to ensure harmonised criteria for: • food and feed, • ships and containers, • and other goods.

• For this purpose the Commission has issued:• binding requirements on import checks on food and feed and

• non-binding guidelines for the contamination checks on ships and containers.

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Post-Fukushima: Food and Feed

• Regulation 3954/87 Euratom disproportionate for the import of food from a distant country

• On 15 March DG SANCO recommends controls on food imported from Japan

• On 25 March 2011 The European Commission adopted implementing regulation, under general food safety legislation • with reference to the pre-established maximum permitted

levels of radioactivity for different categories of radionuclides laid down in Regulation 3954/87 Euratom,

• Action levels in Japan for food and drinking water• for Cs-137+134: 500 Bq/kg (EU value 1250 Bq/kg)• commitment from Japan to control export of food on the

same basis• on 11 April 2011 (corrigendum on 13.4) amended

implementing regulation incorporating the action levels introduced in Japan for iodine and caesium isotopes (as well as plutonium) after the Fukushima accident• starting 1 April 2012: even lower levels: 100

Bq/kg!

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Post-Fukushima: Containers and goods

• The European Commission issued on 15 April 2011, through its urgent information exchange tool (ECURIE), an information message to Member States to• request information on checks for levels of radiation on

incoming ships and cargo from Japan, • proposing harmonised thresholds for further action

(decontamination) and reporting:threshold: 0.2 µSv/h above background, at 1 m (by default)

decontamination whenever possible (washing) of any contaminated surface

• 28 April 2011• IMO/ICAO:

“monitoring of passengers, crew and cargo from Japan carried out to date in other countries, …, does not suggest any health or safety risk. Therefore, screening of radiation … is currently considered unnecessary at airports and seaports around the world.”

• Japan (three major harbours): checks < 3 x background dose-rate• 19 July 2011

• No longer need for systematic screening• Apply transport regulations

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Opinion Article 31 Euratom Experts (9 June 2011)

Food and Feed

• Regulation 3954/87 Euratom• still valid (cf RP 105, 1998)• to be reviewed when new dose coefficients are available

• No need to revise Regulation 733/2008/EC (till 2020)• Post-Chernobyl

• Import from Japan• does not warrant lower levels• continue checks on the basis of levels in Japan, for as long as needed:

small volume of importmoderate levels of radioactivityoptimisation on the basis of cost of controls and the need to provide reassurance or to allow for consumer preferences

• Basis: likelihood to exceed 1 mSv in a year

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Opinion Article 31 Euratom Experts (9 June 2011)

Containers and goods

• ECURIE criterion good basis for continued screening

• Transport Regulations could be understood to apply to conveyances that are not transporting radioactive material• 4 Bq/cm² for β-γ (SCO)

• Underline optimisation:• non-fixed surface contamination to be actually removed whenever practicable

• Need for definition of non-fixed contamination

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Chernobyl Regulation

• 30.05.86: Import conditions for agricultural products (86/1707/EEC)• pertains to import from third countries• applies in the aftermath of the Chernobyl accident • possible higher limits to national produce for

internal consumption

• ad-hoc list of products• Caesium isotopes

• 370 Bq/kg for dairy produce/babyfood• 600 Bq/kg for other foodstuffs

limits applied to products ready for consumption

• Codified (No 733/2008) and extended until 31 March 2020, unless:

• ad-hoc list vanishes• entry into force of Regulation 3954/87

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Commission Regulation (EC) 1635/2006

• (Before recasting: (EC) 1661/1999)• General

• proportionate intensity of controlsdegree of contaminationexport certificates

• destruction or returncharges

• Rapid Alert System (178/2002/EC)• Animals for slaughter• Wild mushrooms

• increase in import notifications (1998)• documentary checks

export certificateseach consignment > 10 kg

• restricted number of customs offices (published periodically by the Commission in OJ series C)

• list of third countries

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Commission Recommendation 274/2003/Euratom

• Health protection of the public with regard to continued radiocaesium contamination of certain domestic wild food products as a result of the Chernobyl accident• game, mushrooms, berries, carnivorous lake fish

• information to local population• restriction on placing on the market

600 Bq/kg

• Rapid Alert System (178/2002/EC)

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Foodstuff regulationfuture accidents

• Regulation 3954/87• in case of a future nuclear emergency

• Sum of activities for • isotopes of Strontium, Iodine,• α emitters, β-γ emitters (T½ > 10 days)

• Baby-food, dairy produce, other foodstuffs, beverages, feedingstuffs• minor foodstuffs (x 10)

• pertains to:• placing on the market• export (2219/89)

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Nuclide categories

• Isotopes of strontium, notably Sr-90• Isotopes of iodine, notably I-131• Alpha-emitting isotopes of plutonium and trans-

plutonium elements, notably Pu-239, Am-241• All other nuclides of half-life greater than 10

days, notably Cs-134, Cs-137• C-14 and Tritium not included

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Maximum activity concentration

Dose from food D= Σk Σi Ii x A k i x hk

• radionuclide k, food category i• I: annual consumption (kg/y)

I=Iav x f (fraction of food contaminated at the maximum permitted level)

• A: activity concentration (Bq/kg)A=Amax

• h: dose coefficient (Sv/Bq)

Reference level for individual dose: 1 mSv/yFor Cs 134+137:

• h=1.6 E-8 Sv/Bq (adults)• f = 0.1• I = 500 kg/y (“other food”)• Amax= 1250 Bq/kg

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European diet

• 1 y old• Baby food: 35 kg

(6 months)

• Dairy produce: 200 kg

• Liquids: 250 l

• Adult• Dairy produce: 49-206 kg

• Liquids: 600 l• Potatoes: 35-126 kg• Meat: 55-106 kg• Fruit and vegetables: 123-228 kg

• Cereals: 58-115 kg

“other food”500 kg

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Maximum activity concentration

Dose from food D= Σk Σi Ii x A k i x hk

• radionuclide k, food category i• I: annual consumption (kg/y)

I=Iav x f (fraction of food contaminated at the maximum permitted level)

• A: activity concentration (Bq/kg)A=Amax

• h: dose coefficient (Sv/Bq)

Reference level for individual dose: 1 mSv/yFor Cs 134+137:

• h=1.6 E-8 Sv/Bq (adults)• f = 0.1• I = 500 kg/y (“other food”)• Amax= 1250 Bq/kg

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Radiation Protection 105

• EU Food restriction Criteria for Application after an Accident• Publication 105 (1998)

• Guidance by Article 31 Group of Experts

• Review of • rationale• levels, on the basis of 1996 dose coefficients

• No recalculation of MPC’s• but check of doses on the basis of diet (low/high) for key radionuclides

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Radiation Protection 105 Caesium-137

Foodstuff 1 y old EU adult

lower level higher level

Baby food 35 (6 m) -Dairy products 200 49 206

Potatoes 10 35 126Meat 10 55 106Fruit

2052 172

Vegetables 71 156Cereals 20 58 115Liquid foodstuffs(1% contamination) 250 l 600 l -

EU diet (kg/y)

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Radiation Protection 105 Caesium-137

Foodstuff 1 y old EU adult

lower level higher level

Baby food 0.15 -Dairy products 0.24 0.06 0.27

Potatoes 0.02 0.06 0.20Meat 0.02 0.09 0.17Fruit

0.030.08 0.28

Vegetables 0.12 0.25Cereals 0.03 0.09 0.19Liquid foodstuffs 0.03 0.08 -

Cs-137 doses (mSv/y)

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Withdrawal of the Recast proposal

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• Initial Codification proposalo included a reservation of implementing powers by the

Council, which was not justified in the recitalso need to insert a new recital – Codification transformed into

a Recast

• Lengthy legislative procedure for the Recast Proposal• It became apparent that existing provisions were

incompatible with the new "Comitology" procedure resulting from the adoption of the Lisbon Treaty (TFEU).

• The Fukushima accident showed the need for more specific and proportionate measures to be adopted with regard to food and feed imported from a distant country.

• Evidence that the primary law on food and feed safety has evolved during the last decades.

Revision of Council Regulation 3954/87/Euratom

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Draft revised proposal

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• Consolidates existing Euratom legislationo Council Regulation (Euratom) Nr 3954/87 and

Commission Regulations (Euratom) Nrs 944/89 and 770/90

• Implements the new "Comitology" procedureo Regulation (EU) Nr 182/2011 of the European Parliament and

the Council of 16 February 2011 laying down the rules and general principles concerning mechanisms for control by Member States of the Commission's exercise of implementing powers.

• Same levels as before (in line with the Art 31 Group of Experts' Opinion of June 2011)o Apply levels for liquid food to drinking watero Category "infant food" up to 12 monthso List of minor food updated in line with current CN codes

Revision of Council Regulation 3954/87/Euratom

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• If the radiological circumstances so require, the Commission shall adopt an implementing act rendering the maximum permitted levels applicable in accordance with the examination procedure.

• The Commission is assisted by a Committee of representatives of the Member States chaired by a representative of the Commission.o Under Article 5 of Regulation Nr 182/2011 (normal procedure)

the Commission adopts the draft implementingact after consultation of the Committee.

o Under Article 8 of Regulation Nr 182/2011 (urgent procedure) the Commission immediately adopts the draft implementing act and the consultation of the Committee shall take place within 14 days after the adoption.

• Standing Committee on the "Food Chain and Animal Health – Toxicological Safety of the food Chain" o referred to in Article 58(1) of Regulation (EC) Nr 178/2002

laying down the general principles and requirements of food law.

"Comitology" procedure

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• Food Chain Committee (DG SANCO)

o Provides, where necessary, risk assessments on the presence of radionuclides in food and feed as a consequence of a nuclear accident or a nuclear emergency.

o Examines the (draft) implementing acts and their amendments proposed by the Commission.

o Delivers its opinion on the implementing acts to be adopted by the Commission or already adopted under the urgent procedure.

• Article 31 Group of Experts (DG ENER)

o Is consulted on the need to adapt the maximum permitted levels of radioactive contamination of food and feed laid down in the Euratom Council Regulation as a consequence of new scientific knowledge.

o Provides its opinion, where necessary, to the Commission on the proposal to revise the Euratom Council Regulation.

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Competences

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Codex Alimentarius revised guidelines (FAO/WHO) July 2006

• The Guideline Levels apply for international trade of foods following a nuclear or radiological emergency• after reconstitution or as prepared for consumption

• Similar radiological criteria and scenarios as EU legislation

• 20 radionuclides in 4 classes • Alpha emitters• Sr-90, Iodine isotopes• Caesium isotopes, Co-60• H-3, C-14, Tc-99

• Infant foods, other foods • Rounded values• Guideline Levels may be increased by a factor of 10

for minor foodstuffs• National governments may adopt different values for

internal use

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Radionuclides in Foods Guideline Level (Bq/kg)

InfantFoods

Other Foods

238Pu, 239Pu, 240Pu, 241Am 1 10

90Sr, 106Ru, 129I, 131I, 235U 100 100

35S, 60Co, 89Sr, 103Ru, 134Cs, 137Cs, 144Ce, 192Ir

1000 1000

3H, 14C, 99Tc 1000 10000

Codex Alimentarius revised guidelines (FAO/WHO) July 2006

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Optimised values in ICRP Publication 63 (1993)

• Cost-benefit analysis• Averted Dose = A x I x h x ED(€/Sv)• Cost of discarded food = I x EF(€/kg)• Aopt = EF(€/kg)/ED(€/Sv) /h

• Optimised concentrations not dependent on diet:• β-γ emitters : 1000-10.000 Bq/kg• α emitters: 10- 100 Bq/kg

• Allows only for cost of discarded food• Depends on scarcity, replaceable food• Agricultural countermeasures may be less expensive

• Ignores societal perception, consumers preference

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Old views on management of an accident in the EU

• Short term:• immediate application of pre-established levels• immediate bans and countermeasures• prompt communication with public

• Intermediate term:• assessment of the contaminated area (GIS)• evaluation of the economic impact

assessment of potential for export (Codex Alimentarius)

• Long term:• foodstuff monitoring• agricultural countermeasures• food processing• return to normality

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General optimisation

• Define the objectives• Compliance with guideline or maximum levels• Decrease overall population exposure

External exposure/Ingestion

• Prevent individuals to exceed reference level

• Evaluate the distributions of• Activity concentrations

for different food categories, affected regions

• Individual doses

• Costs and benefits• Keep the cost ALARA• Allow for consumer confidence and preferences• Allow for sustainable agricultural production

• Develop strategies

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• Keep the cost ALARA• Lost produce• Lost export markets• Farmers income• Cost of food monitoring• Cost of monitoring agricultural produce• Agricultural countermeasures

• Consumer confidence• Level of ambition• Non-compliance

Elements of a strategy

comfortdistrust

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Elements of a strategy

• Overall population exposure • Low MPC for basic food • Focus on specific types of (basic) food• Agricultural countermeasures

New culturesPloughing, soil improvementWater management

• Weak enforcement (general monitoring)

• Highest exposures• Low MPC for basic food • Focus on food with high levels of contamination

Mushrooms, Tea…

• Focus on areas with highest concentration• Strong enforcement• Self-help (information, monitoring)

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Recommendations to Japan (January 2012)

• Reference level 1 mSv per year• Keep high MPC

• Only for certain types of food• Strong monitoring and enforcement

• Low MPC for basic food (rice)• Invest in agricultural countermeasures• Local information and monitoring• Monitor actual ingestion doses in Japan

• Frequency distribution

• Involve international stakeholders• No prejudice to the management of a future accident

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Non-food and transport

• The Commission pursues international standards on permissible levels of contamination of goods, applicable in international trade.• Example: Code of Conduct Metal Scrap

• Distinguish between:• Ships and Containers (protection of crew, dockers, customs officers)

• Goods (exposure of consumers)

• Distinguish between objectives:• Reduce exposures (realistic scenarios)• Avoid spreading contamination• Allow screening for illicit traffic ("Megaports")

• Transport Regulations in post-accidental situation

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Thank you for your attention

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