Radiological effluents released by U.S. commercial nuclear power plants from 1995-2005.
Commercial nuclear power plants release gaseous and liquid radiological effluents into the environment as by-products of electrical generation. In the U.S. these releases are monitored by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (U.S. NRC) and Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA). Traditionally these releases have always been well below the regulatory limits. However, the tracking and analysis of nuclear power radiological effluents was stopped in 1994 by several government agencies. The purpose of this study was to compile the entire U.S. industry effluent data, identify trends, and calculate average population dose commitments since that time. Data were taken from radioactive material release reports submitted by each nuclear power plant. Industry trends were identified using the Mann-Kendall non-parametric test. Total collective effective and population doses were estimated using UNSCEAR and U.S. NRC methodologies. Overall, industry releases have been level over the study time period. Public doses continue to be well below 1% of the regulatory limits.
Harris
Jason T
JT
School of Health Sciences, Purdue University, 550 Stadium Mall Drive, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA. jastharris@aol.com
Miller
David W
DW
D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D055848:Nuclear Power Plants / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D018788:Radioactive Hazard Release / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011850:Radioactive Waste / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014481:United States
D011850:Radioactive Waste