Radiological impact of high-energy accelerators on the environment

The potential radiological impact of high-energy, high-intensity accelerators in the environment is discussed. It is shown that there are three sources of radiation exposure to the general public resulting from the operation of high-energy accelerators. In order of importance these are (a) the prompt radiation field, produced when the accelerator is operating; (b) the release of radionuclides and aerosols into the atmosphere; and (c) the production of radionuclides in the groundwater system around the accelerator. Of these three sources, (a) is dominant and typically exceeds (b) by about an order of magnitude. To date, experience at many accelerator laboratories has shown that the quantity of accelerator-produced radionuclides released to nearby groundwater systems (c) is either extremely small or immeasurable. The population dose equivalent resulting from the operation of several large high-energy facilities is compared