Application of the dose optimization and limitation methodology to underground uranium mines

Between radiological protection measures which are essential in order to ensure compliance with individual exposure limits and those which are of no use because they do not offer a significant reduction of detriment there are some to be found which merit discussion. The question is whether their economic cost is offset by the health and social gain which they afford. To give an answer which is rational and acceptable to all the parties involved is a worthy objective. This objective can be attained provided that there is awareness of certain difficulties and the corresponding precautions are taken. However, an initial step must be taken - it is necessary to fill the existing gaps in knowledge of radiation processes, especially routine exposure during normal operating periods, so as to make an accurate evaluation of the variations in radiological detriment which may result from each of the radiological protection measures considered. These predictive evaluations have so far not been necessary, and it is now being realized that they cannot be made for lack of suitable experimental data. The paper describes the path followed to obtain the data needed to achieve this objective in the case of uranium mines - a radiologically critical step in the fuel cycle and one which clearly illustrates the point at issue. (author)