A classification of the regions around uranium sites regarding radioecological hazard for the population

The regions around uranium sites in Bulgaria could be classified into four groups regarding the accepted dose criteria and the ecological hazard: 1.Regions with high radioecological hazard with expected annual effective dose between 10 and 15 mSv per person; 2. Regions of considerable radioecological hazard with expected annual effective dose between 5 and 10 mSv per person; 3. Regions of average radioecological hazard and expected annual effective dose between 1 and 5 mSv per person and 4. Regions of negligibly low radioecological hazard with maximal expected effective dose about 1 mSv per person. This classification has been done regarding not only radiation situation but also a number of additional factors like geographic and demographic characteristics, the volume, mass and activity of wastes deposited. This classification also gives possibility of preferential distribution of the funds towards the most hazard uranium sites. (author)