Radiation level trends in Westinghouse pressurized water reactors

A review and evaluation of available radiation level data from operating Westinghouse Presurized Water Reactor plants was performed in order to assess radiation level histories and trends. Of the currently available data, the results of radiation surveys taken inside the steam generator channel heads after shutdown were found to be the best indicator of radiation level trends. Analytical predictions indicate that the radiation levels tend to level off after a few years of plant operation and do not increase significantly over the life of the plant. Although there is considerable scatter in the data, the measured radiation levels confirm this general trend. (author)