title: Illustrative assessment of human health issues arising from the potential release of chemotoxic substances from a generic geological disposal facility for radioactive waste.
abstract: Many countries have a programme for developing an underground geological disposal facility for radioactive waste. A case study is provided herein on the illustrative assessment of human health issues arising from the potential release of chemotoxic and radioactive substances from a generic geological disposal facility (GDF) for radioactive waste. The illustrative assessment uses a source-pathway-receptor methodology and considers a number of human exposure pathways. Estimated exposures are compared with authoritative toxicological assessment criteria. The possibility of additive and synergistic effects resulting from exposures to mixtures of chemical contaminants or a combination of radiotoxic and chemotoxic substances is considered. The case study provides an illustration of how to assess human health issues arising from chemotoxic species released from a GDF for radioactive waste and highlights potential difficulties associated with a lack of data being available with which to assess synergistic effects. It also highlights how such difficulties can be addressed.
authors.affiliation: Quintessa Ltd, Chadwick House, Birchwood Park, Warrington, Cheshire WA3 6AE, UK.
authors.forename: James C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Wilson
authors.forename: Michael C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Thorne
authors.forename: George
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Towler
authors.forename: Simon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Norris
mesh_terms: D003198:Computer Simulation; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D011832:Radiation Injuries / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011834:Radiation Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D018788:Radioactive Hazard Release / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011850:Radioactive Waste / Q000032:analysis* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D012037:Refuse Disposal / Q000379:methods*; D018570:Risk Assessment / Q000379:methods
chemical_list: D011850:Radioactive Waste