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Radiation protection of the environment an introductionBrenda Howard (CEH)1Radiation protection of the environment - an introductionRadiological protection of the environment: CEH Lancaster 24th - 26th November 2010OutlineHistorical perspective previous ICRP guidanceWhy this has changed - prime motivationsInternational initiatives at the EC, IAEA, ICRP and UNSCEARComparison with system for humansThe situations in which assessments may be usedRadiation protection of the environment in the UKTiered assessmentsComparison with chemicalsThe coursewww.ceh.ac.uk/PROTECT

The presentation aims to give a brief introduction to the topics of Radiation Protection of the Environment and describe the role of the key international organisations which have been instrumental in developing the topic, largely in the first decade of the 21st century. It explains why the subject has been addressed and puts it into context with the systems for Humans and other chemicals.2Radiation protection of the environment - an introductionRadiological protection of the environment: CEH Lancaster 24th - 26th November 2010Historical perspective previous ICRP guidance The Commission believes that the standard of environmental control needed to protect man to the degree currently thought desirable will ensure that other species are not put at risk. Occasionally, individual members of non-human species might be harmed, but not to the extent of endangering whole species or creating imbalance between species. At the present time, the Commission concerns itself with mankinds environment only with regard to the transfer of radionuclides through the environment, since this directly affects the radiological protection of man

ICRP, 1991, Para. 16

The statement given here was the basis for ensuring radiation protection of the environment for the past 20 years in many countries.3Radiological protection of the environment: CEH Lancaster 24th - 26th November 20103Radiation protection of the environment - an introductionHistoryFocus on worker/most exposed individualsIncomplete ecological informationLimited evidence provided to support statement (in the context of the environment)

4Radiological protection of the environment: CEH Lancaster 24th - 26th November 20104Radiation protection of the environment - an introduction

HistoryFocus on worker/most exposed individualsIncomplete ecological informationLimited evidence provided to support statementChanging attitudesLate 1990s tools and techniques availableRecognition of environmental risks (e.g. Rio)Conservation and protection drivers

5Radiological protection of the environment: CEH Lancaster 24th - 26th November 20105Radiation protection of the environment - an introduction

HistoryFocus on worker/most exposed individualsIncomplete ecological informationNo evidence provided to support statementChanging attitudesLate 1990s tools and techniques availableRecognition of environmental risks (e.g. Rio)Conservation and protection driversThe need to explicitly demonstrate no impact6Radiological protection of the environment: CEH Lancaster 24th - 26th November 20106Radiation protection of the environment - an introductionDrivers

National legislationNational interpretation of international legislationVarious bodies need to explicitly demonstrate/why different to chemicalsIUR promoted need for an approach not based on humansOECD-NEA has highlighted the need for radiological assessment of non-human biota and supported tiered assessment approachwww.ceh.ac.uk/PROTECT

7Radiation protection of the environment - an introductionRadiological protection of the environment: CEH Lancaster 24th - 26th November 2010Interaction between key international bodieswww.ceh.ac.uk/PROTECTIAEAICRPUNSCEARMember StatesEURadiation protection of the environment - an introduction8Radiological protection of the environment: CEH Lancaster 24th - 26th November 2010Radiation Protection and Environment: development

ICRP 1977, 1990 RecommendationsIf there is compliance with radiation protection standards for man, other species are not put at riskUNSCEAR (1996)Report on Effects of Ionizing Radiation to BiotaUSA, Canadian, EU-Projects (2000-2009)Scientific base Development of frameworksIAEA 2005Setup of the Plan of Activities on Protection of the Environment IAEA Safety Fundamentals (2006)Principle 7:Protection of People and the environment, present and in the future, must be protected against radiation risks

www.ceh.ac.uk/PROTECTRadiological protection of the environment: CEH Lancaster 24th - 26th November 2010Radiation protection of the environment - an introduction9ICRP 2007 (Publication 103) Recommendations - the EnvironmentRecommends the explicit consideration of Radiological Protection of the EnvironmentICRP recognisedNeed for advice and guidanceLack of consistency at an international levelMore proactive approach neededComplex nature of environmental protectionNeed to develop a clearer framework C5Assess exposure dose effect relationshipsPragmatic approachNo dose limits

www.ceh.ac.uk/PROTECT10Radiological protection of the environment: CEH Lancaster 24th - 26th November 201010Radiation protection of the environment - an introductionICRP Exposure Situations

Planned - current activities, new nuclear sites and U mines etcNot historic (yrs of discharge) Mostly for planned NPP and waste repositories (current or prospective discharges)Existing exposure to natural radiation sources and contamination of areas by residual radioactive materialPast activities that were never subject to regulatory control or were not regulated according to present requirements;An emergency, after the emergency exposure situation has been declared endedResidues from past activities for which there is no longer legally accountability Used in USA for previously contaminated sitesEmergency eg accidents, malevolent actsLow priority in acute phase

www.ceh.ac.uk/PROTECT11Radiation protection of the environment - an introductionRadiological protection of the environment: CEH Lancaster 24th - 26th November 2010ICRP Publication 108 (2008)

Provides a Concept and Use of Reference Animals and PlantsTransfer, Dosimetry, Effects to biota => Derived Consideration Reference LevelsIdeas for application

Maintain biological diversityConservation of species Protect health and status of Natural habitatsCommunitiesEcosystemsTargets are all related to Living organismsPopulations or higher organisational levelsNot on individuals (except for endangered species)Protection of natural resources not includedSoil, water, air Demonstration through a set of Reference Animals and Plants (RAPs)

Protection targets www.ceh.ac.uk/PROTECTRadiological protection of the environment: CEH Lancaster 24th - 26th November 2010Radiation protection of the environment - an introduction12Planned, Existing and Emergency exposure situationsEnvironmental radionuclide concentrationsReference Male & FemaleReference PersonDose limits, Constraints and Reference levelsReference Animals and PlantsDerived Consideration Reference LevelsDecision-making regarding public health and environmental protection for the same environmental exposure situation by way of representative individuals and representative organismswww.ceh.ac.uk/PROTECTRadiological protection of the environment: CEH Lancaster 24th - 26th November 2010Radiation protection of the environment - an introduction13Human assessment (overview)RADIONUCLIDE SOURCEHABITS DATAREFERENCE PERSONIMPACTTOTAL ABSORBED DOSEPATHWAY OF EXPOSUREApplication of a weighting factors for RBE & different tissuesCompare predicted dose to known biological effects & dose limitswww.ceh.ac.uk/PROTECTRadiological protection of the environment: CEH Lancaster 24th - 26th November 2010Radiation protection of the environment - an introduction14Wildlife assessment (overview)RADIONUCLIDE SOURCEHABITS DATAREFERENCE ANIMAL OR PLANTIMPACTTOTAL ABSORBED DOSEPATHWAY OF EXPOSUREApplication of a weighting factors for RBE & different tissuesCompare predicted dose to known biological or ecological effects & guideline valuesECOLOGICAL PARAMETERSwww.ceh.ac.uk/PROTECTRadiological protection of the environment: CEH Lancaster 24th - 26th November 2010Radiation protection of the environment - an introduction15RAPs

www.ceh.ac.uk/PROTECTRadiological protection of the environment: CEH Lancaster 24th - 26th November 2010Radiation protection of the environment - an introduction16RAP definitionFor human protection, the reference individuals and Reference Person are idealised models developed for the specific purposes of relating exposure to dose, and dose to effect. They do not represent any specific type of human being (the reference individuals are phantoms, and the Reference Person is a hermaphrodite), but nevertheless have to be discretely defined to serve their basic purpose. To be consistent with the original concept of Reference Man, a Reference Animal or Plant can be described as follows:A Reference Animal or Plant is a hypothetical entity, with the assumed basic biological characteristics of a particular type of animal or plant, as described to the generality of the taxonomic level of family, with defined anatomical, physiological, and life-history properties, that can be used for the purposes of relating exposure to dose, and dose to effects, for that type of living organism.www.ceh.ac.uk/PROTECTRadiological protection of the environment: CEH Lancaster 24th - 26th November 2010Radiation protection of the environment - an introduction17UNSCEARUnited Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic RadiationEstablished in 1955UN Scientific Committee reports to General AssemblyAssesses global levels and effects of ionizing radiationProvides scientificbasis for radiation protectionGovernments and organisations rely on Committee's estimates as the scientific basis for evaluating radiation risk and establishing protective measures

www.ceh.ac.uk/PROTECT

Radiation protection of the environment - an introduction18Radiological protection of the environment: CEH Lancaster 24th - 26th November 2010UNSCEAR - environmentReport on Effects of radiation on the Environment in 1996Limited available dataReview of data, including ChernobylBased largely on acute dataEffects difficult to estimate due to long term recovery, compensatory behaviour and confounding environmental factorsNew report imminentwww.ceh.ac.uk/PROTECT

Radiation protection of the environment - an introduction19Radiological protection of the environment: CEH Lancaster 24th - 26th November 2010UNSCEAR 1996

Acute dosesRadiation protection of the environment - an introduction20Radiological protection of the environment: CEH Lancaster 27-28 april 2010UNSCEAR draft conclusionsAs in its 1996 recommendations, UNSCEAR considers that chronic dose rates ofless than (about) 100Gyh1 to the most highly exposed individuals would be unlikely to have significant effects on most terrestrial communities; andthat maximum dose rates of 400Gyh1 to any individual in aquatic populations of organisms would be unlikely to have any detrimental effect at the population levelnominal Relative Biological Effectiveness (RBEs) of 10 for internally deposited alpha radiation and 1 for beta radiation were recommendedwww.ceh.ac.uk/PROTECTRadiological protection of the environment: CEH Lancaster 24th - 26th November 2010Radiation protection of the environment - an introduction21CategoryDose rateEffectsEndpointPlant100 - 1000 Gy h-1Reduced trunk growth of pine treesMorbidity400 -700 Gy h-1Reduced numbers of herbaceous plantsMorbidityFish100 -1000 Gy h-1Reduction in testis mass and sperm production, lower fecundity, delayed spawning Reproductive200 499 Gy h-1Reduced spermatogonia and sperm in tissuesReproductiveMammals< 100 Gy h-1No detrimental endpoints have been described Morbidity,Mortality,ReproductiveGeneric ecosystems(terrestrial and aquatic)About 80 Gy h-1A new statistical approach (species sensitivity distribution, SSD) was applied to radiation effects data to estimate the hazardous dose rate (HDR5), the dose rate at which 95% of the species in the ecosystem are protectedMorbidity,Mortality,ReproductiveOverall summary of (illustrative) chronic effects data for plants, fish and mammals UNSCEAR draft conclusionswww.ceh.ac.uk/PROTECT

22Notional illustrative dose-rates below which effects are unlikely - from UNSCEAR 2008Radiation protection of the environment - an introductionRadiological protection of the environment: CEH Lancaster 24th - 26th November 2010Plan of Activities on Protection of the Environment 2005After Stockholm conference in 2003IAEA Safety Fundamentals (2006)Principle 7:Protection of People and the environment, present and in the future, must be protected against radiation risksBiota Co-ordination GroupRevision of Basic Safety StandardsApproachesEnvironmental Modelling for Radiation SafetyApplicationTechnical cooperation on wildlife regulation RER 7005 www.ceh.ac.uk/PROTECT

23Radiation protection of the environment - an introductionRadiological protection of the environment: CEH Lancaster 27-28 april 2010Revision of the International Basic Safety Standards (BSS), Draft 4.0, September 2010 IntroductionProtection of people and the environment Prevention of radiological effects on human health and on flora and fauna. Adopt an integrated perspective to ensure the sustainable use of natural resources for agriculture, forestry, fisheries and tourism - now and in the future.RequirementsConsider Protection of the EnvironmentRegistration and licensingSetting discharge limits Protection of the environment is one factor during optimization in existing and emergency exposure situations

=> 3 Safety Guides and 1 Safety Report under development

Radiological protection of the environment: CEH Lancaster 24th - 26th November 2010Radiation protection of the environment - an introduction24Radiation Protection of the Public and the Environment (New Safety Guide) Guidance for the implementation of radiation protection as recommended in the new BSSExposures to publicExposures to environmentHow to apply radiation protection principles to exposures of the environmentJustification, Limitation, Optimization Exposure situationsPlanned, existing, emergency Discuss the application of Derived Consideration Reference Levels=> Input expected from a currently working ICRP Task Group

Radiological protection of the environment: CEH Lancaster 24th - 26th November 2010Radiation protection of the environment - an introduction25Radiological Environmental Impact Analysis for Facilities and Activities (REIA) (New Safety Guide)How to perform a Radiological Environmental Impact Assessment (REIA)EndpointsModels and methodsGraded approach for the REIAWhich efforts are needed forSmall usersHospitalsNuclear installationHow to use already existing data for REIAData used for assessment of exposures to the publicResults from environmental and source monitoring

=> Minimize efforts needed for assessing impacts to biota

Radiological protection of the environment: CEH Lancaster 24th - 26th November 2010Radiation protection of the environment - an introduction26Regulatory Control of the Releases of Radioactive Material (Update of a Safety Guide)Guidance to derive limits for radionuclide discharges to the environment Public exposureEnvironmental exposureFacilities and activitiesNuclear installationsLaboratories and hospitalsSmall usersNORM

=>Radiological impact to biota will be an integral part of the licensing processRadiological protection of the environment: CEH Lancaster 24th - 26th November 2010Radiation protection of the environment - an introduction27ECEuratom Basic Safety StandardsNew BSS outlineTitle X: Protection of the EnvironmentEuratom projectsFASSETERICAPROTECTFP7 STAR Network www.ceh.ac.uk/PROTECT

CURRENT DRAFT onlyRadiation protection of the environment - an introduction28Radiological protection of the environment: CEH Lancaster 24th - 26th November 2010Title X: Protection of the Environment Article 102

Member States shall include, in the legal framework for radiation protection, provision for the radiation protection of non-human species in the environment; this legal framework shall introduce environmental criteria aiming at the protection of populations of vulnerable or representative non-human species with regard to their significance as part of the ecosystem. Where appropriate, practices shall be identified for which regulatory control is warranted to implement the requirements in this legal framework and take account of appropriate environmental assessment criteriaRadiological protection of the environment: CEH Lancaster 24th - 26th November 2010Radiation protection of the environment - an introduction29Title X: Protection of the Environment Article 103Member States' competent authorities, when establishing authorised limits on discharges of radioactive effluents, in accordance with Article 91 paragraph 2, shall also ensure adequate protection of non-human species; for this purpose a generic screening assessment may be conducted to provide reliance that the environmental criteria are met.Article 104Member States shall require undertakings to take appropriate technical measures with the aim to avoid that in the event of an accidental release there will be significant environmental damage, or to mitigate the extent of such consequences.Article 105While establishing environmental monitoring programmes, or requiring such programmes to be carried out, Member States' competent authorities shall include representative nonhuman species, if necessary, in addition to such environmental media which constitute a pathway of exposure to members of the public.

Radiological protection of the environment: CEH Lancaster 24th - 26th November 2010Radiation protection of the environment - an introduction30Article 31 Group of ExpertsRecognise thatin line with ICRP Publication 103, is a need for specific consideration of the exposure of biota where appropriateenvironmental criteria as well as dose constraints should be considered for the authorisation of discharges of radioactive effluentSupport the development of a framework by ICRP C5

Radiological protection of the environment: CEH Lancaster 24th - 26th November 2010Radiation protection of the environment - an introduction31Article 31 Group of ExpertsRecognise thatin line with ICRP Publication 103, is a need for specific consideration of the exposure of biota where appropriateenvironmental criteria as well as dose constraints should be considered for the authorisation of discharges of radioactive effluentSupport the development of RAPS and frameworkBut feel that protection of the environment should not warrant a high level of regulatory control with demonstration of compliance proportionate to risk and allow enough time for transposition into national lawRadiological protection of the environment: CEH Lancaster 24th - 26th November 2010Radiation protection of the environment - an introduction32EC Drivers in the UKEurope: Habitats and Birds DirectivesOn the conservation of natural habitats and of wild flora and faunaUK: Conservation (Natural Habitats) regulations 1994Implements the Habitats Directive in the UK. Requires steps to maintain and restoration to favourable conservation status of habitats and species of Community level interestwww.ceh.ac.uk/PROTECT

Radiation protection of the environment - an introduction33Radiological protection of the environment: CEH Lancaster 24th - 26th November 2010Tiered AssessmentsMany approaches use a tiered assessment structure (in common with other areas of risk assessments)simple initial screening through to more refined assessmentsAlso referred to as:staged or graded approaches

34Radiation Protection of the environment an introductionRadiological protection of the environment: CEH Lancaster 24th - 26th November 2010ERICA flow chartwww.ceh.ac.uk/PROTECT

Radiation protection of the environment - an introduction35Radiological protection of the environment: CEH Lancaster 24th - 26th November 2010Tiered approachEnvironmental and health protectionConservatismResourcesTIER 1Risk screeningTIER 2Generic quantitative TIER 3Detailed QuantitativeData needs36Radiation protection of the environment - an introductionRadiological protection of the environment: CEH Lancaster 24th - 26th November 2010Tiered approachEnvironmental and health protectionConservatismResourcesTIER 1Risk screeningTIER 2Generic quantitative TIER 3Detailed QuantitativeData needsThe level of detail in a risk assessment should be proportionate with the nature and complexity of the risk being addressed and consistent with decision-making needs37Radiation protection of the environment - an introductionRadiological protection of the environment: CEH Lancaster 24th - 26th November 2010Similarities and differences between chemical and radiological risk assessmentswww.ceh.ac.uk/PROTECT

Radiological protection of the environment: CEH Lancaster 24th - 26th November 2010Radiation protection of the environment - an introduction38Direct toxicity in soil and water: the assessment of toxicity thresholds for plants, invertebrates and microbial processes

Higher organism health: comparison withConcentration in food eaten Ingested amount per unit liveweight of receptor speciesConcentration in organs of species compared to a risk quotient

Human health: quantifying exposure to contaminants and assessing acceptable intake values

Approaches for chemicals in the environment

Radiation protection of the environment - an introduction39Radiological protection of the environment: CEH Lancaster 24th - 26th November 2010Soil solidsSoil waterM-DOMM-XM-soilM output = [M]aq x runoffM inputg ha-1 a-1H+Mz+MaqSoil bioavailabilityMention Chemicals looks at soil solution, not total soilRadiation protection of the environment - an introduction40Radiological protection of the environment: CEH Lancaster 24th - 26th November 2010Critical LoadsThe critical load is the rate of deposition of a metal from the atmosphere, which at steady state, leads to the metal concentration in soils or water reaching a threshold for adverse effects (the critical limit)

41Radiological protection of the environment: CEH Lancaster 24th - 26th November 2010Radiation protection of the environment - an introductionCritical Loads for Lead

Critical Load for Pb (g ha-1 y-1)Exceedance of Critical Load for Pb in Managed Broadleaf Woodland (ratio)42The left hand map shows the minimum critical load for Pb at various sites in the UKIn general, the highest critical loads are in the north west, as these areas have higher rainfall, and therefore greater leaching off the metal from soil / runoff. The lowest critical loads are in the south & east of the UK, as these have lower leaching rates, and greater retention of the metal in the soil.

The right hand map shows managed broadleaf woodland, with colour indicating where the habitat exceeds the critical load.Note that exceedances are greatest in the south east.

Radiological protection of the environment: CEH Lancaster 24th - 26th November 2010Radiation protection of the environment - an introductionWhy are we giving these courses?Assessments are being done little formal training available- so we don't assume much prior knowledge We are being asked for advice on use of assessment toolsThe tools are only recently developed and there are various complexities and assumptions which need to be understoodwww.ceh.ac.uk/PROTECTRadiation protection of the environment - an introduction43Radiological protection of the environment: CEH Lancaster 24th - 26th November 2010Assessment ToolsThree tools freely available and usable by othersFocus here on ERICA Tool developed by EC consortium

RESRAD-BIOTA and R&D 128 mentioned when they have features not present in ERICA Tool

www.ceh.ac.uk/PROTECTEPICFP4FASSETFP4ERICAFP5PROTECTFP6Radiological protection of the environment: CEH Lancaster 24th - 26th November 2010Radiation protection of the environment - an introduction44

Problem FormulationProtection goals common to both approaches and risk assessments are framed in this context.

Exposure AssessmentEnvironmental transfer of contaminants is a common feature but attention to interactions between ambient environment and biological receptorsorgamisms differs (chemical approaches consider factors that affect bioavailability)

DosimetryA significant feature of radionuclide risk assessment but not chemical assessments where the focus is only on ambient concentrations. Possible internal and external exposure from radionuclides but only internal residues are relevant for chemicals

Effects AssessmentSignificant differences: assessment of chemicals is based on empirical ecotoxicological data relating concentrations or daily intakes to effects, whilst assessment of radionuclides uses data that relate effects to dose. Separate assessments are needed for each new chemical, but radionuclide assessments need only consider a limited range of radiation types and qualities

Risk characterisationSimilar approaches for characterising risk can be used for both chemicals and radioactive substances