Radioecological monitoring and its role in ensuring the safety of nuclear power plants

Abstract

The article presents methodological approaches to the organization of radioecological monitoring in the regions where nuclear power plants are located. The analysis of the monitoring results at the Beloyarsk, Kursk, Leningrad and Rostov NPPs showed that the contribution of the natural radiation background to the public exposure dose is within a narrow range from 3.13 to 4.16 mSv per year, and the dose from the existing technogenic contamination varies from 0.47 μSv (Rostov NPP) up to 150 μSv per year (Beloyarsk NPP). The variability of the exposure doses is determined by the influence of natural climatic conditions and by differences in characteristics of contamination sources, including differences in electricity generation technologies. The technogenic radiation background in the area of the Beloyarsk NPP is determined by environmental contamination as a result of previous activities, whereas in the areas of the Leningrad NPP and the Kursk NPP it is associated with Chernobyl fallout (91 and 14 μSv per year, respectively). The contribution of NPPs to the existing technogenic radiation background varies from 1% (Rostov NPP) to 10–11% (Kursk and Beloyarsk NPPs).