Vicinity Of Nuclear Power Plant Research Articles

원전의 인허가 규제 관련 쟁점과 과제

The nuclear power plant construction project faced a major crisis due to the Moon Jae-in government's nuclear power plant policy. Construction of Shin-Kori Units 5 and 6 was resumed as recommended by the Public Deliberation Committee, but plans to build Shin-Hanul Units 3 and 4 in Uljin and Cheonji Units 1 and 2 in Yeongdeok were nullified. As a result, residents of areas scheduled for nuclear power plant construction, such as Uljin and Yeongdeok, had to endure disadvantages due to economic downturn, job loss, and infringement of property rights. The Moon Jae-in government's policy of nuclear power plant was raised in the form of a presidential election pledge to join the energy conversion trend of some countries, including Germany. This was a big event that changed the basis of the national energy policy that had been maintained for a long time, and caused controversy over whether it was desirable or not in terms of industrial and energy security. Korea is a country with absolutely insufficient endowed energy resources, where it is importing more than 95% of its energy from abroad, and where it is difficult to connect to the power grid with foreign countries. If Korea gives up nuclear power, it will not be able to secure a stable energy supply. It can cause serious problems in terms of energy security. Permission for nuclear power plant construction is related to the Basic Plan for Electricity Demand and Supply(BPEDS). Establishing the BPEDS, K-Water gets intent documents from power producer, and reviews whether or not to permit generation, then, it is reflected in the BPEDS. In other words, when a new nuclear power plant construction is reflected to the BPEDS in the licensing proceedings for construction of nuclear power plants. K-water establishes a basic construction plan, conducts an environmental impact assessment, and then applies for approval of the power source development project execution plan in accordance with Article 5 of the Power Source Development Promotion Act, finally receives a construction permit of the nuclear power plant. Seoul Administrative Court dismissed the appel because BPEDS was not the object of the appeal under the administrative disposition in the Decision 2018Guhap53344 Decided January 10, 2020. In the case of the 8th BPEDS, it is reasonable to admit its disposability because it can affect specifically individual rights and obligations immediately by just the plan was established. In principle, the BPEDS is an internal guideline for administrative agencies to establish various plans for electricity business, and is applicable only to administrative agencies. However, the cancellation of construction and suspension of construction according to the 8th BPEDS can be seen directly and concretely to affect the rights and obligations of the people, such as nuclear power plant partners, nuclear equipment manufacturers and suppliers, nuclear radiation safety management service companies, and merchants in the vicinity of nuclear power plants. The point to resuming the construction of Shin Hanul Units 3 and 4 is the environmental impact assessment. Shin Hanul Units 3 and 4 received an environmental impact assessment in 2016, but the evaluation period ended in August 2021 as its construction was halted due to the Moon Jae-in government's policy of nuclear power plant. Therefore, it is legally appropriate to conduct the environmental impact assessment again. In principle, it is correct to proceed with the environmental assessment again from the beginning. However, in the case of Shin Hanul Units 3 and 4, all procedures were suspended due to the government's decision to suspend construction, so there attribute a fault to the government. In addition, environmental impact assessment is to prepare measures to avoid, eliminate or reduce harmful environmental impacts by investigating, predicting, and evaluating the impact of the project on the environment in advance.

Use of isotope hydrology to characterize groundwater systems in the vicinity of nuclear power plants. Results of a Coordinated Research Project (CRP) F33022, 2016–2020 : monograph / Institute for Safety Problems of Nuclear Power Plants of National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine ; International Atomic Energy Agency. Chornobyl ; Kyiv: ISP NPP NAS of Ukraine, 2022. – 200 p.

Use of isotope hydrology to characterize groundwater systems in the vicinity of nuclear power plants. Results of a Coordinated Research Project (CRP) F33022, 2016–2020 : monograph / Institute for Safety Problems of Nuclear Power Plants of National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine ; International Atomic Energy Agency. Chornobyl ; Kyiv: ISP NPP NAS of Ukraine, 2022. – 200 p.

Radiation Safety of Agrosphere in the Vicinity of Nuclear Power Plants

Radiation Safety of Agrosphere in the Vicinity of Nuclear Power Plants

Bioaccumulation of 137Cs and 60Co in freshwater plants

Contamination of the aquatic environment by the heavy metals and radionuclides has become a serious concern in the world. In our study, gamma-spectrometry of freshwater plants Bacopa monnieri and Egeria densa growing in cultivation media spiked with 137CsCl and 60CoCl2 was used for quantitative determination of bioaccumulation kinetic and distribution Cs+ and Co2+ ions in plant tissues. We found, that bioaccumulation of Cs and Co by fully immersed B. monnieri in Hoagland media (HM) was dependent on ion concentration in medium. Approx. 5-times lower Cs uptake 2.9 nmol/g (d.w.) was obtained in plants cultivated in 20% HM than from deionized water. The maximal Co uptake was 4-times higher than cesium uptake at the same conditions. Both Cs and Co were localized mainly in roots. The highest immobilization from roots to shoots was found in the case of Co uptake from deionized water with concentration ratio [Co]leaves : [Co]stem : [Co]root = 1.00 : 5.33 : 56.8. Cesium uptake by submerged plant E. densa was also strongly dependent on nutrients concentration in medium. However, in the case of cobalt uptake this dependence was less pronounced. Nutrients concentration also had a significant influence on distribution of Cs between stems and leaves of E. densa. Cesium was localized in leaves, however with increasing of nutrients concentration in cultivation media Cs was localized for account of stem. On the other hand, cobalt was immobilized mainly in leaves in whole range of nutrients concentration. Obtained data can serve as a models for understanding of phytoaccumulation of radionuclides from open water ponds and water channels in the vicinity of nuclear power plants and monovalent and bivalent metals from industrial sources of contamination.

Analysis of gross radioactivity in drinking water around Tianwan Nuclear Power Plant from 2016 to 2018

Objective To understand the background level of total radioactivity in drinking water around Tianwan Nuclear Power Plant. Methods According to the original plan of the National Health and Family Planning Commission of China, the monitoring of gross α and gross β radioactivity levels in drinking water during dry and rain periods around Tianwan Nuclear Power Plant, and water samples were collected including source water, factory water, peripheral water and reservoir water. Results A gross of 200 water samples were monitored at 35 sampling sites from 2016 to 2018. The gross α and gross β radioactivity levels in the dry period were (0.038 ± 0.033) Bq/L and (0.11 ± 0.03) Bq/L. The gross α and gross β radioactivity levels in the wet period were (0.038 ± 0.024) Bq/L and (0.11 ± 0.03) Bq/L. There were statistically significant differences in gross α and gross β radioactivity levels between the source water and the other water during the dry season ( P < 0.05). There were statistically significant differences in gross α and gross β radioactivity levels in different years ( P < 0.05). There were statistically significant differences in gross α and gross β radioactivity levels at different distances from the nuclear power plant ( P < 0.05). Conclusion The gross α level and gross β level of radioactivity in drinking water around Tianwan Nuclear Power Plant are in line with the standard of drinking water, regular, fixed and continuous monitoring should be carried out, and radionuclide monitoring and radiological investigation should be carried out on this basis. In view of the density of personnel in the vicinity of nuclear power plants in China, nuclear emergency preparedness training should also be strengthened. 摘要： 目的 了解田湾核电站周边的饮用水中总放射性本底水平。 方法 根据原国家卫生计划委员会方案要求在田 湾核电站周围开展枯水期、丰水期饮用水中总 α、总 β 放射性水平监测, 采集水样包括水源水、出厂水、末梢水及水库 水。 结果 2016—2018 年共 35 个采样点监测水样 200 份。枯水期总 α、总 β 放射性水平分别为 (0.038 ± 0.033) Bq/L、(0.11 ± 0.03) Bq/L, 丰水期总 α、总 β 放射性水平分别为 (0.038 ± 0.024) Bq/L、(0.11 ± 0.03) Bq/L。枯水期的水源水其 他水中总 α、总 β 放射性水平差异有统计学意义 ( P < 0.05)。不同年份的水中总 α、总 β 放射性水平差异有统计学意义 ( P < 0.05)。距核电站不同距离的水中总 α、总 β 放射性水平差异有统计学意义 ( P < 0.05)。 结论 田湾核电站周边的 饮用水中总 α、总 β 放射性水平均符合生活饮用水标准, 应坚持定期、定点、持续开展监测, 并在此基础上开展放射性 核素监测和放射生态学调查等研宄。考虑到我国核电站周边人员密集, 应加强人员的核应急培训。

Radiocarbon in the atmospheric gases and PM10 aerosol around the Paks Nuclear Power Plant, Hungary

Our study shows a one-year-long, monthly integrated continuous monitoring campaign of gaseous radiocarbon emission and ambient air compared with 4 event-like, weekly (168 h) atmospheric aerosol radiocarbon data in every season of 2019, at 4 locations (n = 16 aerosol sample) around the Paks Nuclear Power Plant, Hungary. The study shows the first aerosol radiocarbon results around a nuclear power plant measured by accelerator mass spectrometry in Hungary. There was no dominant contribution detected in the atmospheric CO2 gas fraction, but we could detect excess radiocarbon in the total gaseous carbon fraction at almost every sampling point around the Paks Nuclear Power Plant. The highest Δ14C value in the total gaseous carbon form was 157.9 ± 4.6‰ in November and the highest Δ 14C value in the CO2 fraction was 86.1 ± 4.0‰ in December during 2019. Observed 14C activity excess is not higher than previously published values around the Paks Nuclear Power plant at the same sampling points (Molnár et al., 2007; Varga et al., 2020). Our aerosol radiocarbon measurements show that there is no significant contribution from the nuclear power plant to the atmospheric PM10 fraction. We could not detect a Δ 14C value higher than 0‰ in any season. The results show that the simple aerosol sampling, without pre-treatment of the filters, is appropriate for the measurement of excess radiocarbon at the vicinity of nuclear power plants. The applied preparation and measurement method can be applicable for detection of hot (14C) particles and early identification of radiocarbon emission from nuclear power plants in the PM10 fraction.

Methods for Analyzing the Hydrogeological Characteristics of the Aquifers in the Vicinity of Nuclear Power Plants Using Indicators

Methods for Analyzing the Hydrogeological Characteristics of the Aquifers in the Vicinity of Nuclear Power Plants Using Indicators

Assessment of atmospheric dispersion stability based on the atmospheric boundary layer monitoring at the Belorussian nuclear power plant site

Due to the fact that the potential threat to the health to the public living near nuclear power plants is largely determined by the level of air pollution by radionuclides, identification of the dispersion conditions of pollutants in the atmospheric boundary layer is of great importance in the development of engineering protection means for nuclear facilities. In turn, the engineering protection of nuclear power plants provides for the development of automated radiation monitoring systems and their main components, i. e. atmospheric boundary layer status monitoring systems. When analyzing and predicting the radiation situation in the vicinity of nuclear power plants, the determination of atmospheric dispersion variability parameters over time is essential. This research is aimed at assessing interannual and intra-annual variability of atmospheric dispersion parameters in the Belorussian nuclear power plant siting region based on the atmospheric boundary layer monitoring data. This study has revealed the relative interannual stability of the main average annual atmospheric dispersion characteristics throughout the observation period in 2015-2019. At the same time, the average seasonal values of the atmospheric boundary layer dispersion parameters are characterized by significant fluctuations thereof over the annual course. The feasibility of such monitoring for other potentially hazardous industrial facilities, such as thermal power plants and chemical plants, is also noted.

Радиационно-экологический мониторинг агроэкосистем в зоне воздействия АЭС: методология и результаты исследований

Purpose: Justification of the necessity to establish and maintain a system of radioecological monitoring of agricultural ecosystems in the vicinity of nuclear power plants at all stages of the life cycle of a radiation-hazardous facility.&#x0D; Material and methods: The paper presents methodological approaches (sanitary-hygienic and environmental) to radioecological monitoring of agricultural ecosystems in the region of the NPP location. The tasks of the radioecological monitoring of agricultural ecosystems are defined, and its organisation and management stages are highlighted. The article displays the features of the development of programs and regulations of radioecological monitoring of agricultural ecosystems. The main objects of radioecological monitoring, parameters to be monitored, and also the frequency of monitoring observations are determined. The principles of locating the control points on the monitoring network are substantiated.&#x0D; Results: The results of radioecological monitoring of agricultural ecosystems in the impact zones of the Kursk and Rostov NPPs are presented. The approaches to the creation of a monitoring network, taking into account the peculiarities of the regions of the NPPs’ location (landscape, soil, economic), are demonstrated. It is shown that the contamination density of agricultural lands by 90Sr varies in the range of 0.47–1.74 kBq/m2, and by 137Cs – 2.7–9.7 kBq/m2 for Kursk NPP and, for Rostov NPP it is 0.36–2.57 kBq/m2 by 90Sr and 2.25–4.55 kBq/m2 by 137Cs. Over the entire period of monitoring observations, none of the samples of agricultural products appeared to have an excess of sanitary and hygienic standards for the content of radionuclides. Due to the consumption of food produced in 30-km observation zones, about 63 Bq/a of 90Sr and 195 Bq/a of 137Cs in the Kursk NPP observation zone and, respectively,133 and 184 Bq/a in the vicinity of Rostov NPP enter the diet of the local population, which is almost 400 times for 137Cs and 10–20 times for 90Sr below the annual ingestion limits respectively. Differences in the accumulation of radionuclides for the same crop in different years of observation come up to 1.5 times, due to the influence of soil and weather conditions, as well as different doses of ameliorants application.&#x0D; Conclusion: The results of the radioecological monitoring of agricultural ecosystems confirm that the operation of the Kursk and Rostov NPPs in normal mode does not lead to a deterioration of the radiation situation in the regions where they are located. Radiation doses on the local population do not exceed the established standard values. The system of radioecological monitoring of agricultural ecosystems should be an integral component in the general system of radiation safety in the vicinities of NPPs and other radiation-hazardous facilities.

Formula omitted]-particle spectrometer based on xenon gas ionization chamber using coplanar electrodes

A parallel plate gas ionization chamber with coplanar electrodes was designed and developed to be used as an α-particle spectrometer measuring low level α-emission rates in environmental samples from the vicinity of nuclear power plants. The chamber was filled with a 3 atm gas mixture of Xe + 0.7% CH4. Its performance was investigated using a mixed α-particle source (237Np, 241Am, and 244Cm). An excellent energy resolution of 59 keV (1.0%) in fwhm for 5.81 MeV 244Cm α-particles was obtained, which is enough to identify major sources of alpha radioisotopes (238U, 235U, 237Np, 239Pu, 238Pu, 241Am, 244Cm) to be found near nuclear power plants.

Life cycle assessment of hydrogen energy facility by criterion for maximum load frequency

The paper deals with the topical issue of providing the base load for the Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) in the nighttime off-peak load hours. To find a solution to this issue, we analyzed energy storage technologies, such as hydroelectric power stations. Since the construction of this type of station is associated with various risks (technical, environmental, seismic, etc.), their deployment in the immediate vicinity of the Near Nuclear Power Plants is unacceptable. This implies the tariffs for the supply of power from the grid transmission system may exceed the nuclear generating costs by 2 or 3 times, and significantly affect the cost for the produced peak energy and competitive advantages of these stations. As more competitive technology of electric energy storage, the paper reviews the system based on utilizing hydrogen energy facilities with hydrogen and oxygen produced by water electrolysis due to excess power from nuclear power plants in the nighttime. The key advantage of these facilities is location in the vicinity of NPPs with the possibility of charging at the cost of the NPP energy. At the same time, hydrogen and oxygen production and their further utilization in the NPP steam cycle has the recurrent nature and connected with the daily startup and shutdown procedures of the main facilities. Thus, the aim of this research is to determine the life cycle of the main hydrogen energy facility under cyclic loads. The fatigue fracture theory is applied to analyze the performance of startup/shutdown cycles in the main hydrogen energy facility in combination with the NPP. We have conducted the estimation of fatigue crack growth depending on the load frequency for the critical components of electrolysis plants, compressors, metal hydrogen and oxygen storage tanks, as well as hydrogen-oxygen combustion chambers. The paper focuses on the impact of hydrogen corrosion on the rate of fatigue crack growth and proposes criterion defining the number of cycles occurred prior to the fracture extension process. Based on the criterion of maximum cycles prior to the fraction extension process, we have defined the boundaries for effective performance of the main hydrogen energy facility.

Temporal and Spatial Excess Leukemia Deaths Around the Nuclear Power Plant in Kyushu, Japan (1970-2005)

Background/AimExcess incidence of cancer including leukemia among people living in the vicinity of Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) in normal operation has been reported on from Germany, France, the United Kingdom, Korea, and others. But in Japan, any epidemiologic investigations have not been conducted yet while 18 NPP facilities have discharged radioactive substances e.g. tritium. 13 among 47 prefectures in Japan had NPPs until 2010, and 7 of them were ranked in top 15 leukemia mortality. We estimated the Standardized Mortality Ratios (SMRs) on leukemia of municipalities around the NPPs in Kyushu area, the western parts of Japan, and then summarized their temporal-spatial changes with using empirical Bayesian estimates.MethodsWe estimated leukemia SMRs with using data of age-sex specific five-year municipal population among 1965-2005 of Japanese Census, age-sex specific cause-specific leukemia deaths of Japanese Vital Statistics, and leukemia deaths of each municipalities. To adjust spatial variations of SMRs in the towns and villages with sparse population, we have applied empirical Bayes method with Poisson distribution model.ResultsSMRs of leukemia in the study region increased after beginnings of the operation of NPPs. The municipalities located the nearest to NPP had excess SMR (3.69: 95% CI, 3.11-5.56) comparing to farther areas of the prefecture. NPP Reactor type of the study areas was Pressurized Water Reactor (PWR) which released more radioactive substances comparing to Boiling Water Reactor (BWR). The study suggests the relationship between leukemia and NPPs normally operated in Japan.

Response of growth and development of the Pacific oyster (Crassostrea gigas) to thermal discharge from a nuclear power plant

BackgroundDuring electricity generation of nuclear power plant, heat energy cannot be completely converted into electrical energy, and a part of it is lost in the form of thermal discharge into the environment. The thermal discharge is harmful to flora and fauna leading to environmental deterioration, biological diversity decline, and even biological extinction.ResultsThe present study investigated the influence of thermal discharge from a nuclear power plant on the growth and development of Pacific oyster Crassostrea gigas which is widely used as bio indicator to monitor environmental changes. The growth of soft part and the gonad development of oysters were inhibited due to thermal discharge. During winter season, temperature elevation caused by thermal discharge promoted the growth of oyster shells. During summer season, the growth rate of oysters in thermal discharge area was significantly lower than that of the natural sea area.ConclusionsThe results of this study provided a better understanding of assessing the impact of thermal discharge on the marine ecological environment and mariculture industry. It also provided a scientific basis for defining a safe zone for aquaculture in the vicinity of nuclear power plants.

LIFE CYCLE ASSESSMENT OF THE HYDROGEN ENERGY FACILITY BY CRITERION FOR MAXIMUM LOAD FREQUENCY

The paper deals with the issue of providing the Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) by the base load in the nighttime offpeak load hours. In order to search a solution to this issue, we analyze the energy storage technologies including the hydroelectric power stations. Since the construction of this station is associated with various risks (technical, environmental, seismic, etc.), and their deployment in the immediate vicinity of Near Nuclear Power Plants is unacceptable. This implies the tariffs for the power supply from the grid transmission system may exceed the nuclear generating costs 3 or 4 times, and significantly affect the cost for the produced peak energy and competitive advantages of these stations. As more competitive technology of electric energy storage, the paper reviews the system based on utilizing hydrogen energy facilities with hydrogen and oxygen produced by water electrolysis due to excess power from nuclear power plants in the nighttime. The key advantage of these facilities is location in the vicinity of NPPs with the possibility of charging at the cost of the NPP energy. At the same time, hydrogen and oxygen production and their further utilization in the NPP steam cycle has the recurrent nature and connected with the daily startup and shutdown procedures of the main facilities. Thus, the aim of this research is to determine the life cycle of the main hydrogen energy facility under cyclic loads. The fatigue fracture theory is applied to analyze the performance of startup/shutdown cycles in the main hydrogen energy facility in combination with the NPP. We have conducted the estimation of fatigue crack growth depending on the load frequency for the critical components of electrolysis plants, compressors, metal hydrogen and oxygen storage tanks, as well as hydrogen-oxygen combustion chambers. The paper focuses on the impact of hydrogen corrosion on the rate of fatigue crack growth and proposes criterion defining the number of cycles occurred prior to the fracture extension process. Based on the criterion of maximum cycles prior to the fraction extension process, we have defined the boundaries for effective performance of the main hydrogen energy facility.

Rapid, Sensitive and Simultaneous Determination of Plutonium and Neptunium Using Ruthenium Nanoparticles Decorated Glassy Carbon Electrode

Sensitive determination of actinides is of utmost importance to maintain regular surveillance over the environment in the vicinity of nuclear power plants. The noble metal nanoparticles (NPs) exhibit high electrocatalytic activity, and could be employed for the sensitive and rapid quantifications of plutonium (Pu) and neptunium (Np) ions in the aqueous matrices. Therefore, the Ru NPs decorated glassy carbon electrode (RuNPs/GCE) was examined towards the electrocatalytic redox reaction of Pu and Np respectively. Differential pulse voltammetric (DPV) technique was used for rapid and sensitive quantification of Pu and Np. The RuNPs/GC based DPV technique could be used to determine the concentration of Pu and Np in a few minutes. Both Pu and Np gave sensitive oxidation peaks at 470mV and 840 mV respectively in 1M H2SO4 versus silver/silver chloride electrode. The detection limits were found to be 1.5 μM for Pu and 6.5 μM for Np. The investigated method showed good stability, reproducibility, and repeatability.

Cancer incidence in adults living in the vicinity of nuclear power plants in France, based on data from the French Network of Cancer Registries.

Nuclear power plants (NPPs) release toxic emissions into the environment that may affect neighboring populations. This ecologic study was designed to investigate the possibility of an excess incidence of cancer in the vicinity of French NPPs by examining the incidence by municipality of 12 types of cancer in the population aged 15 years and older during the 1995-2011 period. Population exposure to pollution was estimated on the basis of distance from towns of residence to the NPP. Using regression models, we assessed the risk of cancer in a 20-km zone around NPPs and observed an excess incidence of bladder cancer (Relative Risk (RR), 95% Credibility Interval (95% CI)) in men and women (RRmen = 1.08; 95% CI: 1.00, 1.17 and RRwomen = 1.19; 95% CI: 1.02, 1.39). Women living within the 20-km proximity areas had a significantly reduced risk of thyroid cancer (RRwomen = 0.86; 95% CI: 0.77, 0.96). No excess risk of hematologic malignancies in either sex was seen. The higher than expected incidence of bladder cancer may be due to an excess incidence localized around the Flamanville NPP and the nearby La Hague nuclear waste treatment center, which is a source of chemical contaminants, many (including arsenic) of them known risk factors for bladder cancer. Differences in medical practices could explain the reduced risk of thyroid cancer. In this first study of adults living near NPPs in France, cancer incidence is significantly higher than in the references populations for one of the cancer types studied: bladder cancer.

The risks of nuclear disaster and its impact on housing prices

Using a data set on housing sales transactions we explore the potential effect of the Fukushima disaster on housing prices in Sweden. In contrast to most earlier findings in other countries we do not find any disproportionate effect from the Fukushima disaster on housing prices in vicinity of nuclear power plants in Sweden.

The Gamma Atmospheric Dispersion Factor for Finite-Cloud Radiation Dose Computations

Estimates of radiation doses to receptors in the vicinity of nuclear power plants from gaseous effluents are important to ensure that plant operation is in compliance with the as-low-as-reasonably-achievable dose objectives delineated in 10 CFR 50, Appendix I. The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) recently issued an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPR) on the development of a new regulatory basis in support of aligning the NRC regulations governing dose assessments for radioactive effluents with the most recent methodology published by the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) contained in ICRP Publication 103 (ICRP-103) (2007). The ANPR specifically recommends that the dose conversion factors (DCFs) in Regulatory Guide 1.109 (RG 1.109) be revised as part of any effort to more closely align the NRC's regulations with the ICRP-103 recommendations. Section C.2 of RG 1.109 provides a sector-average (SA) finite-cloud model for computation of annual doses at off-site receptors from noble gas releases from freestanding tall stacks. One of the limitations of this model is that embedded in the applicable equation is the DCF, and as such, the model is not suitable for implementation of the ANPR (if approved) and the recommended use of stand-alone updated DCFs. This limitation can be circumvented through use of the “gamma atmospheric dispersion factor” in the finite-cloud dose model, referred to as the gamma (Ç/Q). A second limitation of the SA finite-cloud model is the dose overestimation at close-in receptors under very stable conditions and elevated plumes, which can be eliminated by using the corresponding finite-cloud gamma (Ç/Q) for the plume-centerline (PC) model. Presented are analytical details on the derivation and use of the SA and PC gamma (Ç/Q)'s, which are suitable for incorporation of stand-alone updated sets of DCFs based on ICRP-103.

Cancer incidence in the vicinity of nuclear power plants in Taiwan: a population-based study.

Numerous antinuclear demonstrations reveal that the public is anxious about the potential health effects caused by nuclear power plants. The purpose of this study is to address the question "Is there a higher cancer incidence rate in the vicinity of nuclear power plants in Taiwan?" The Taiwan Cancer Registry database from 1979 to 2003 was used to compare the standardized incidence rate of the top four cancers with strong evidence for radiation risks between the "plant-vicinity" with those "non-plant-vicinity" groups. All cancer sites, five-leading cancers in Taiwan, and gender-specific cancers were also studied. We also adopted different observation time to compare the incidence rate of cancers between two groups to explore the impact of the observation period. The incidences of leukemia, thyroid, lung, and breast cancer were not significantly different between two groups, but cervix uteri cancer showed higher incidence rates in the plant-vicinity group. The incidence of cervical cancer was not consistently associated with the duration of plant operation, according to a multiyear period comparison. Although there was higher incidence in cervix cancer in the plant-vicinity group, our findings did not provide the crucial evidence that nuclear power plants were the causal factor for some cancers with strong evidence for radiation risks.

Retrospective study of 14C concentration in the vicinity of NPP Jaslovské Bohunice using tree rings and the AMS technique

Atmospheric radiocarbon has been monitored around the Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) Jaslovské Bohunice (Slovakia) using CO2 absorption in NaOH solution since 1969. In 2012, tree ring samples were collected from Tilia cordata using an increment borer at Žlkovce monitoring station situated close to the Bohunice NPP. Each tree ring was identified and graphite targets were produced for 14C analysis by accelerator mass spectrometry. The 14C concentrations obtained from the tree-ring samples have been in a reasonable agreement with the averaged annual 14C concentrations in atmospheric CO2.