Control of effluent discharges and their consequences

The role of Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Pollution in implementing the government's policy of radioactive waste management is explained. An essential part of this is to ensure that the generation of the waste itself is justified. Authorisation of discharge of radioactive effluents to the environment has to be obtained and reviewed every 5 years. The numerical limits on the radioactive content of the discharged effluents are discussed, in particular those from the British Nuclear Fuels plc. sites. These are set so that the public is not exposed above the dose limits recommended by the International Commission on Radiological Protection. These limits for discharges from the Sellafield site and the resulting doses to the critical group of fish and shellfish consumers is tabulated. The principles of best practicable means and 'as low as achievable' are mentioned. The sampling and analysis of the samples taken to check that levels are within the limits specified is mentioned briefly. (U.K.)