The Concept of Low Specific Activity Materials in Iaea the Transport Regulations

Abstract

Abstract Low specific activity (LSA) materials are one of the main categories of radioactive materials transported. They consist essentially of physical and chemical concentrates of uranium and thorium, various types of solid and liquid waste and heavy water solutions. In 1988, some 30,000 tonnes of concentrated uranium are and chemical derivatives of uranium and some 35,000 cubic metres of waste were transported in France. The concept of LSA is based on an incorporation model in which it is assumed that it is highly improbable that an individual will inhale more than 10 mg of material in the event of an accident. Thus materials for which the Annual Limit of Intake (ALI) is greater than 10 mg are not considered to represent a significant potential danger. This hypothesis forms the general basis of systems of radiotoxicological classification of radionuclides of the Euratom type. The authors explore the validity of this model in the light of data on dust concentrations in air in different branches of indus...