Radiation protection of the environment – an introduction Radiological protection of the environment: CEH Lancaster 24th - 26th November 2010 Brenda Howard (CEH) Radiation protection of the environment – an introduction Radiation protection of the environment - an introduction

Outline Historical perspective – previous ICRP guidance Radiological protection of the environment: CEH Lancaster 24th - 26th November 2010 Outline Historical perspective – previous ICRP guidance Why this has changed - prime motivations International initiatives at the EC, IAEA, ICRP and UNSCEAR Comparison with system for humans The situations in which assessments may be used Radiation protection of the environment in the UK Tiered assessments Comparison with chemicals The course 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. www.ceh.ac.uk/PROTECT Radiation protection of the environment - an introduction

Historical perspective – previous ICRP guidance Radiological protection of the environment: CEH Lancaster 24th - 26th November 2010 Historical 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 mankind’s 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. Radiation protection of the environment - an introduction 3

History Focus on worker/most exposed individuals Radiological protection of the environment: CEH Lancaster 24th - 26th November 2010 History Focus on worker/most exposed individuals Incomplete ecological information Limited evidence provided to support statement (in the context of the environment) Radiation protection of the environment - an introduction 4

History Focus on worker/most exposed individuals Radiological protection of the environment: CEH Lancaster 24th - 26th November 2010 History Focus on worker/most exposed individuals Incomplete ecological information Limited evidence provided to support statement Changing attitudes Late 1990s tools and techniques available Recognition of environmental risks (e.g. Rio) Conservation and protection drivers Radiation protection of the environment - an introduction 5

History Focus on worker/most exposed individuals Radiological protection of the environment: CEH Lancaster 24th - 26th November 2010 History Focus on worker/most exposed individuals Incomplete ecological information No evidence provided to support statement Changing attitudes Late 1990s tools and techniques available Recognition of environmental risks (e.g. Rio) Conservation and protection drivers The need to explicitly demonstrate no impact… Radiation protection of the environment - an introduction 6

Drivers National legislation Radiological protection of the environment: CEH Lancaster 24th - 26th November 2010 Drivers National legislation National interpretation of international legislation Various bodies – need to explicitly demonstrate/why different to chemicals IUR promoted need for an approach not based on humans OECD-NEA has highlighted the need for radiological assessment of non-human biota and supported tiered assessment approach www.ceh.ac.uk/PROTECT Radiation protection of the environment - an introduction

Interaction between key international bodies Radiological protection of the environment: CEH Lancaster 24th - 26th November 2010 Interaction between key international bodies IAEA ICRP UNSCEAR Member States EU www.ceh.ac.uk/PROTECT Radiation protection of the environment - an introduction

Radiation Protection and Environment: development Radiological protection of the environment: CEH Lancaster 24th - 26th November 2010 Radiation Protection and Environment: development ICRP 1977, 1990 Recommendations If there is compliance with radiation protection standards for man, other species are not put at risk UNSCEAR (1996) Report on Effects of Ionizing Radiation to Biota USA, Canadian, EU-Projects (2000-2009) Scientific base Development of frameworks IAEA 2005 Setup 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/PROTECT Radiation protection of the environment - an introduction

ICRP 2007 (Publication 103) Recommendations - the Environment Radiological protection of the environment: CEH Lancaster 24th - 26th November 2010 ICRP 2007 (Publication 103) Recommendations - the Environment Recommends the explicit consideration of Radiological Protection of the Environment ICRP recognised Need for advice and guidance Lack of consistency at an international level More proactive approach needed Complex nature of environmental protection Need to develop a clearer framework – C5 Assess exposure – dose – effect relationships Pragmatic approach No “dose limits” www.ceh.ac.uk/PROTECT Radiation protection of the environment - an introduction 10

ICRP Exposure Situations Radiological protection of the environment: CEH Lancaster 24th - 26th November 2010 ICRP Exposure Situations Planned - current activities, new nuclear sites and U mines etc Not 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 material Past 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 ended Residues from past activities for which there is no longer legally accountability Used in USA for previously contaminated sites Emergency – eg accidents, malevolent acts Low priority in acute phase www.ceh.ac.uk/PROTECT Radiation protection of the environment - an introduction

Radiological protection of the environment: CEH Lancaster 24th - 26th November 2010 ICRP Publication 108 (2008) Provides a Concept and Use of Reference Animals and Plants Transfer, Dosimetry, Effects to biota => Derived Consideration Reference Levels Ideas for application Maintain biological diversity Conservation of species Protect health and status of Natural habitats Communities Ecosystems Targets are all related to Living organisms Populations or higher organisational levels Not on individuals (except for endangered species) Protection of natural resources not included Soil, water, air Demonstration through a set of Reference Animals and Plants (RAPs) Protection targets www.ceh.ac.uk/PROTECT Radiation protection of the environment - an introduction

Planned, Existing and Emergency exposure situations Radiological protection of the environment: CEH Lancaster 24th - 26th November 2010 Planned, Existing and Emergency exposure situations Environmental radionuclide concentrations Reference Male & Female Reference Person Dose limits, Constraints and Reference levels Reference Animals and Plants Derived Consideration Reference Levels Decision-making regarding public health and environmental protection for the same environmental exposure situation by way of representative individuals and representative organisms www.ceh.ac.uk/PROTECT Radiation protection of the environment - an introduction

Human assessment (overview) Radiological protection of the environment: CEH Lancaster 24th - 26th November 2010 Human assessment (overview) RADIONUCLIDE SOURCE HABITS DATA REFERENCE PERSON IMPACT TOTAL ABSORBED DOSE PATHWAY OF EXPOSURE Application of a weighting factors for RBE & different tissues Compare predicted dose to known biological effects & dose limits www.ceh.ac.uk/PROTECT Radiation protection of the environment - an introduction

Wildlife assessment (overview) Radiological protection of the environment: CEH Lancaster 24th - 26th November 2010 Wildlife assessment (overview) RADIONUCLIDE SOURCE HABITS DATA REFERENCE ANIMAL OR PLANT IMPACT TOTAL ABSORBED DOSE PATHWAY OF EXPOSURE Application of a weighting factors for RBE & different tissues Compare predicted dose to known biological or ecological effects & guideline values ECOLOGICAL PARAMETERS www.ceh.ac.uk/PROTECT Radiation protection of the environment - an introduction

Radiological protection of the environment: CEH Lancaster 24th - 26th November 2010 RAPs www.ceh.ac.uk/PROTECT Radiation protection of the environment - an introduction

Radiological protection of the environment: CEH Lancaster 24th - 26th November 2010 RAP definition For 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/PROTECT Radiation protection of the environment - an introduction

United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation Radiological protection of the environment: CEH Lancaster 24th - 26th November 2010 UNSCEAR United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation Established in 1955 UN Scientific Committee reports to General Assembly Assesses global levels and effects of ionizing radiation Provides scientific basis for radiation protection Governments 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 introduction

Radiological protection of the environment: CEH Lancaster 24th - 26th November 2010 UNSCEAR - environment Report on “Effects of radiation on the Environment” in 1996 Limited available data Review of data, including Chernobyl Based largely on acute data Effects difficult to estimate due to long term recovery, compensatory behaviour and confounding environmental factors New report imminent www.ceh.ac.uk/PROTECT Radiation protection of the environment - an introduction

Radiological protection of the environment: CEH Lancaster 27-28 april 2010 UNSCEAR 1996 Acute doses Radiation protection of the environment - an introduction

UNSCEAR draft conclusions Radiological protection of the environment: CEH Lancaster 24th - 26th November 2010 UNSCEAR draft conclusions As in its 1996 recommendations, UNSCEAR considers that chronic dose rates of less than (about) 100 μGy h‑1 to the most highly exposed individuals would be unlikely to have significant effects on most terrestrial communities; and that maximum dose rates of 400 μGy h‑1 to any individual in aquatic populations of organisms would be unlikely to have any detrimental effect at the population level nominal Relative Biological Effectiveness (RBEs) of 10 for internally deposited alpha radiation and 1 for beta radiation were recommended www.ceh.ac.uk/PROTECT Radiation protection of the environment - an introduction

UNSCEAR draft conclusions Radiological protection of the environment: CEH Lancaster 24th - 26th November 2010 UNSCEAR draft conclusions Overall summary of (illustrative) chronic effects data for plants, fish and mammals Category Dose rate Effects Endpoint Plant 100 - 1000 μGy h-1 Reduced trunk growth of pine trees Morbidity 400 -700 μGy h-1 Reduced numbers of herbaceous plants Fish 100 -1000 μGy h-1 Reduction in testis mass and sperm production, lower fecundity, delayed spawning Reproductive 200 – 499 μGy h-1 Reduced spermatogonia and sperm in tissues Mammals < 100 μGy h-1 No detrimental endpoints have been described Morbidity, Mortality, Generic ecosystems (terrestrial and aquatic) About 80 μGy h-1 A 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 protected Notional “illustrative” dose-rates below which effects are unlikely - from UNSCEAR 2008 www.ceh.ac.uk/PROTECT Radiation protection of the environment - an introduction

IAEA Safety Fundamentals (2006) Radiological protection of the environment: CEH Lancaster 27-28 april 2010 ”Plan of Activities on Protection of the Environment” 2005 After Stockholm conference in 2003 IAEA Safety Fundamentals (2006) Principle 7:Protection of “People and the environment, present and in the future, must be protected against radiation risks” Biota Co-ordination Group Revision of Basic Safety Standards Approaches Environmental Modelling for Radiation Safety Application Technical cooperation on wildlife regulation RER 7005 www.ceh.ac.uk/PROTECT Radiation protection of the environment - an introduction

Radiological protection of the environment: CEH Lancaster 24th - 26th November 2010 Revision of the International Basic Safety Standards (BSS), Draft 4.0, September 2010 Introduction Protection 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. Requirements Consider Protection of the Environment Registration and licensing Setting 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 Radiation protection of the environment - an introduction

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

Radiological protection of the environment: CEH Lancaster 24th - 26th November 2010 Radiological Environmental Impact Analysis for Facilities and Activities (REIA) (New Safety Guide) How to perform a Radiological Environmental Impact Assessment (REIA) Endpoints Models and methods Graded approach for the REIA Which efforts are needed for Small users Hospitals Nuclear installation How to use already existing data for REIA Data used for assessment of exposures to the public Results from environmental and source monitoring => Minimize efforts needed for assessing impacts to biota Radiation protection of the environment - an introduction

Radiological protection of the environment: CEH Lancaster 24th - 26th November 2010 Regulatory Control of the Releases of Radioactive Material (Update of a Safety Guide) Guidance to derive limits for radionuclide discharges to the environment Public exposure Environmental exposure Facilities and activities Nuclear installations Laboratories and hospitals Small users NORM =>Radiological impact to biota will be an integral part of the licensing process Radiation protection of the environment - an introduction

EC CURRENT DRAFT only Euratom Basic Safety Standards Euratom projects Radiological protection of the environment: CEH Lancaster 24th - 26th November 2010 EC Euratom Basic Safety Standards New BSS outline Title X: Protection of the Environment Euratom projects FASSET ERICA PROTECT FP7 – STAR Network CURRENT DRAFT only www.ceh.ac.uk/PROTECT Radiation protection of the environment - an introduction

Title X: Protection of the Environment Radiological protection of the environment: CEH Lancaster 24th - 26th November 2010 Title 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 criteria Radiation protection of the environment - an introduction

Title X: Protection of the Environment Radiological protection of the environment: CEH Lancaster 24th - 26th November 2010 Title X: Protection of the Environment Article 103 Member 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 104 Member 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 105 While 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. Radiation protection of the environment - an introduction

Article 31 Group of Experts Radiological protection of the environment: CEH Lancaster 24th - 26th November 2010 Article 31 Group of Experts Recognise that in line with ICRP Publication 103, is a need for specific consideration of the exposure of biota where appropriate environmental criteria as well as dose constraints should be considered for the authorisation of discharges of radioactive effluent Support the development of a framework by ICRP C5 Radiation protection of the environment - an introduction

Article 31 Group of Experts Radiological protection of the environment: CEH Lancaster 24th - 26th November 2010 Article 31 Group of Experts Recognise that in line with ICRP Publication 103, is a need for specific consideration of the exposure of biota where appropriate environmental criteria as well as dose constraints should be considered for the authorisation of discharges of radioactive effluent Support the development of RAPS and framework But 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 law Radiation protection of the environment - an introduction

EC Drivers in the UK Europe: Habitats and Birds Directives Radiological protection of the environment: CEH Lancaster 24th - 26th November 2010 EC Drivers in the UK Europe: Habitats and Birds Directives On the conservation of natural habitats and of wild flora and fauna UK: Conservation (Natural Habitats) regulations 1994 Implements the Habitats Directive in the UK. Requires steps to maintain and restoration to favourable conservation status of habitats and species of Community level interest www.ceh.ac.uk/PROTECT Radiation protection of the environment - an introduction

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

Radiological protection of the environment: CEH Lancaster 24th - 26th November 2010 ERICA flow chart www.ceh.ac.uk/PROTECT Radiation protection of the environment - an introduction

Detailed Quantitative Radiological protection of the environment: CEH Lancaster 24th - 26th November 2010 Tiered approach TIER 1 Risk screening TIER 2 Generic quantitative TIER 3 Detailed Quantitative Environmental and health protection Data needs Conservatism Resources Radiation protection of the environment - an introduction

Detailed Quantitative Radiological protection of the environment: CEH Lancaster 24th - 26th November 2010 Tiered approach TIER 1 Risk screening TIER 2 Generic quantitative TIER 3 Detailed Quantitative Environmental and health protection Data needs The 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 needs Conservatism Resources Radiation protection of the environment - an introduction

Radiological protection of the environment: CEH Lancaster 24th - 26th November 2010 Similarities and differences between chemical and radiological risk assessments www.ceh.ac.uk/PROTECT Radiation protection of the environment - an introduction

Approaches for chemicals in the environment Radiological protection of the environment: CEH Lancaster 24th - 26th November 2010 Approaches for chemicals in the environment Direct toxicity in soil and water: the assessment of toxicity thresholds for plants, invertebrates and microbial processes Higher organism health: comparison with Concentration in food eaten Ingested amount per unit liveweight of receptor species Concentration in organs of species compared to a risk quotient Human health: quantifying exposure to contaminants and assessing acceptable intake values Radiation protection of the environment - an introduction

M output = [M]aq x runoff Radiological protection of the environment: CEH Lancaster 24th - 26th November 2010 Soil bioavailability M input g ha-1 a-1 Soil solids Soil water H+ Mz+ Maq M-soil M-X M-DOM Mention Chemicals looks at soil solution, not total soil M output = [M]aq x runoff Radiation protection of the environment - an introduction

Radiological protection of the environment: CEH Lancaster 24th - 26th November 2010 Critical Loads The 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) Radiation protection of the environment - an introduction

Critical Loads for Lead Radiological protection of the environment: CEH Lancaster 24th - 26th November 2010 Critical Loads for Lead The left hand map shows the minimum critical load for Pb at various sites in the UK In 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. Exceedance of Critical Load for Pb in Managed Broadleaf Woodland (ratio) Critical Load for Pb (g ha-1 y-1) Radiation protection of the environment - an introduction

Why are we giving these courses? Radiological protection of the environment: CEH Lancaster 24th - 26th November 2010 Why 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 tools The tools are only recently developed and there are various complexities and assumptions which need to be understood www.ceh.ac.uk/PROTECT Radiation protection of the environment - an introduction

Assessment Tools Three tools freely available and usable by others Radiological protection of the environment: CEH Lancaster 24th - 26th November 2010 Assessment Tools Three tools freely available and usable by others Focus here on ERICA Tool developed by EC consortium RESRAD-BIOTA and R&D 128 mentioned when they have features not present in ERICA Tool EPIC FP4 FASSET ERICA FP5 PROTECT FP6 www.ceh.ac.uk/PROTECT Radiation protection of the environment - an introduction