The management of tritium wastes in the United Kingdom

A site specific survey of current and future amounts of tritium produced and subsequent waste arisings in the UK has been carried out. Various management options in addition to that of dilute and disperse have been indicated as possible disposal strategies for the future. Their impact on the dose received by the UK population, specific groups and the rest of the world has been assessed by the NRPB. This assessment shows that the present disposal strategy results in doses to the UK population which are considered insignificant in terms of risk and will remain so as the civil reactor programme increases in the future. The study also indicates that the extent to which tritium is used in research, medicine, industry and for consumer applications needs to be assessed. It will enable a more complete management strategy for the future to be defined. (author)