Plutonium recycling scenario in light water reactors: assessment of the environmental impact in the European Community

A scenario has been assumed in which, in the 1990s, plutonium will be recycled in light water reactors to the extent of 10 tons (fissile) per year. The differential environmental impact between the recycle of this amount of plutonium and the equivalent quantity of uranium is assessed. The contributions of the individual plants and operations in the respective cycle (fuel fabrication, power reactor, reprocessing - including conversion - and transport) are evaluated both in respect of the effluents and the occupational radiation exposure. The overall impact on the European population is then obtained by reference to the scenario assumed. The final results are presented in terms of collective effective dose equivalent commitment to the EC population and doses to the significant organs as well as occupational exposure. The main conclusion of the study is that the differential radiological impact of plutonium recycle is small. The estimates indicate a marginal decrease in the collective radiation dose to the population and a small increase in the radiation dose to the plant operators. The estimates of occupational exposure, however, take little account of the various measures which are currently being taken to reduce the radiation level and no account of any future developments. In any case even with these assumptions the doses are shown to be below the limits settled by present regulations