C-14 DISCHARGES FROM THE NUCLEAR-FUEL CYCLE .2. LOCAL-EFFECTS

Environmental 14C levels around various types of nuclear installation within the UK have been monitored during recent years. Enhanced 14C levels have been detected around both the nuclear fuel reprocessing plant at Sellafield and the thermal nuclear power station complex at Hunterston. From these measurements, the radiological impact of the 14C discharges on the local population is assessed. The dose levels do not exceed the limits recommended by ICRP but the former value clearly indicates that, for the larger dischargers at least, consideration and optimization of 14C releases are fully justified. The same 14C measurements are also used to test the validity of two atmospheric dispersion models, the Gaussian plume and the so-called 'hyperbolic' models.