Dose limits reduction consequences on the operation of nuclear power plants

Occupational doses are evaluated in each stage of the fuel cycle including nuclear power plants operation. Trends in the individual dose distributions and collective doses are analyzed. The maintenance operations with higher contribution to collective dose are identified and the implications of dose limit reduction as recommended by ICRP in 1990, are assessed. It is concluded that no relevant difficulties should appear in accomplishing with the new recommendations for installations designed after 1977. Only in Atucha I nuclear power plant which has been designed in the 60's different alternatives should be analyzed to reduce individual and collective doses. Among them, the change of the fuel channels by new ones free of cobalt, is an essential decision to get an effective reduction of occupational doses. (author)