Validation of models for the transfer of radionuclides in terrestrial, urban and aquatic environments and acquisition of data for that purpose

The radioactive fallout from the Chernobyl accident has offered the opportunity to test the predictions of dose assessment models using measurements made under real conditions. A joint co-ordinated research programme of the International Atomic Energy Agency and the Commission of the European Communities seeks to take advantage of the 'natural laboratory' created as a result of the Chernobyl release. Three working groups have been established concerned with model validation for the terrestrial, urban and freshwater aquatic environments; in addition a fourth group, the Multiple Pathway Assessment Working Group, will seek to validate models for estimating overall transfer from the atmosphere and ground deposits to human intake. The paper outlines the plans for the study, which started in 1988 and will continue until 1992. (author). 2 refs