Estimation, prediction and standardization of radiation dose levels to the population in connection with nuclear power station operation in the USSR

The report presents values of the actual gas-aerosol releases from operating nuclear power stations in the USSR. Preliminary predicted evaluations of possible gas-aerosol releases from nuclear power stations under design are also made. Taking this as a basis and using a new calculation model there has been made an evaluation of the individual and population doses from releases of this kind, with an allowance for the metabolism of radioactive aerosols in the environment. The new model makes it also possible to consider population doses from foodstuff contaminated at the region of a nuclear station and then transported to other regions. Considering the ever growing number of ionizing radiation sources and in particular that of nuclear power stations this paper raises the problem of the necessity of an international agreement on the principles of regulating the population dose and on distributing the dose limit to the population from various radiation sources used in human activity and having a world-wide significance. As a matter for discussion the following distribution pattern of the dose limit to the population (in quota) is suggested: water-cooled and water-moderated reactors - 6%, single-circuit-grand-graphite reactors - 8%, gas-cooled reactors - 3%, fast reactors - 3%, experimental reactors - 5%, thermal nuclear stations - 4%, reactors of other types - 6%, fuel-reprocessing plants - 18%, the ore, hydrometallurgy, fuel elements production - 5%, radiation chemistry, irradiators - 2%, burial grounds of liquid and solid wastes - 4%, building materials - 5%, agricultural fertilizers - 4%, accelerators, X-ray tubes, television sets -1%, reserve for other sources - 25%. It is suggested to enlarge the number of radionuclides attributed to the ''world-wide'' series considering their relatively high contribution to the population dose