Critical group doses around nuclear sites in England and Wales

An essential part of the system of radiological protection is the assessment of radiation doses received by those people most exposed, the critical group. Such doses were considered in a recent study carried out as an joint undertaking between NRPB, the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAFF) and Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Pollution (HMIP). The aims of the study were, firstly, to estimate critical group doses around 12 nuclear sites in England and Wales taking account of a variety of exposure pathways additively and, secondly, to make recommendations on methods for assessing critical group radiation doses and on data requirements. The study found a large variation in the critical group doses around the sites and concluded that existing methods are likely to identify those members of the public with the highest exposure. However, it is important that, where necessary, all feasible pathways should be considered additively. (Author)