Radiological aspects of the non-nuclear industry in The Netherlands

The non-nuclear process industry supplies a considerable contribution to the radiological pollution of the environment. The main mechanisms through which the process industry may cause this pollution are flue gases, dust, water emissions, solid waste and scales. The critical pathways of exposure are the consumption of mussels, shrimps and fish, and inhalation in the vicinity of factories with air discharges. According to the Dutch environmental policy a few industries cause a non-permissible risk. Measures are required to reduce the output of radionuclides. (author)