RISK MINIMIZATION ACROSS THE ENTIRE BACK END OF THE NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE - CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES

摘要

Many countries have separate regulations for used nuclear fuel (UNF) and high-level radioactive waste (HLW) storage, transportation, recycling, and disposal. In general, each regulation sets a maximum annual dose or health risk just for that waste management component (storage, transportation, or disposal). In addition to dose or health risk limits, many of the regulations either specifically require or recommend that the health risk to members of the public be kept As Low As Reasonably Achievable (ALARA) using Best Available Technology (BAT). Again, ALARA and BAT requirements are to be applied only to the system that it is subject to the regulation. This paper provides some examples of the impacts of health risk from the entire back end of the fuel cycle from attempts to minimize risk from just one part of the back end of the fuel cycle. With separate regulations that minimize individual dose rates for storage, transportation, and disposal, the overall health risk from the back end of the fuel cycle may not be minimized. This calls into the question whether ALARA and BAT concepts should be part of compliance.