Alpha radiation measurement and protection in PWR nuclear power plants

Fuel cladding defects or failure in PWR nuclear power plants (NPP) could result in release of irradiated fuel fragments from fuel assembly into coolant, among which alpha radionuclides dominated by transuranium may cause systems, equipments, and work sites contaminated, and also increase the risk of internal contamination for workers. NPPs have always paid less attention to this due to the lower probability of occurrence, however. We introduces the requirements and procedures, for alpha measurement and protection in PWR NPPs, of the French Electric Power Company (EDF) and the (United States) Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI). In view of the problems existing in domestic NPPs with respect to alpha contamination control, we make suggestions for improvement. (authors)