INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS ON FOOD AND ENVIRONMENTAL RADIOACTIVITY MEASUREMENT FOR RADIOLOGICAL PROTECTION: STATUS AND PERSPECTIVES.

Radiological protection is a matter of concern for members of the public and thus national authorities are more likely to trust the quality of radioactivity data provided by accredited laboratories using common standards. Normative approach based on international standards aims to ensure the accuracy or validity of the test result through calibrations and measurements traceable to the International System of Units. This approach guarantees that radioactivity test results on the same types of samples are comparable over time and space as well as between different testing laboratories.

ISO standards on test methods for water radioactivity monitoring.

Water is vital to humans and each of us needs at least 1.5L of safe water a day to drink. Beginning as long ago as 1958 the World Health Organization (WHO) has published guidelines to help ensure water is safe to drink.

International standardisation work on the measurement of radon in air and water.

Radon is considered to be the main source of human exposure to natural radiation. As stated by the World Health Organization, the exposure due to the inhalation of indoor radon is much greater than the one via the ingestion of water as radon degasses from water during handling. In response to these concerns about the universal presence of radon, environmental assessment studies are regularly commissioned to assess the radon exposure of public and workers.

Status report on standard-setting work in the area of environmental radioactivity measurement.

Environmental assessment studies are regularly commissioned to study the impact of radioactive substances on the environment and the public, in response to concern about the presence of such substances. The credibility of such studies relies on the quality and reliability of radionuclide analysis as well as the sample representativity of the radiological situation. The recent expansion from national stakeholders to those involving other states requires that activity measured in effluents or environmental samples in a country are reliable and reproducible so as to be accepted by all states potentially concerned by regional contamination.

129I in the environment of the La Hague nuclear fuel reprocessing plant--from sea to land.

In recent years, particular attention was paid to the long-lived radionuclides discharged with authorized low-level radioactive liquid and gaseous effluents by the nuclear spent fuel reprocessing plants of La Hague and Sellafield. The knowledge of (129)I (half-life=15.7 x 10(6) a) distribution in the environment is required to assess the radiological impact to the environment and population living in the area under the direct influence of La Hague NRP discharges.

129I/127I ratio measurements in bovine thyroids from the North Cotentin area (France).

Iodine-129 is routinely released in the gaseous and liquid low-level radioactive effluents of nuclear spent fuel reprocessing plants. Environmental impact assessment of these discharges are performed based on monitoring samples of different types of natural indicators. Thyroid is considered as a relevant organ to monitor radioactive iodine isotopes.

Determination of 241Am in sediments by isotope dilution high resolution inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ID HR ICP-MS).

Trace levels (pg kg(-1)) of 241Am in sediments were determined by isotope dilution high resolution inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ID HR ICP-MS) using a microconcentric nebulizer. 241Am was isolated from major elements like Ca and Fe by different selective precipitations. In further steps.

Improvement in 90Sr measurements at very low levels in environmental samples.

Various anthropogenic sources contribute to the inventory of long lived beta emitters in the environment. Studies have been carried out to obtain the 90Sr distribution in environment in order to estimate its impact in terms of radiation exposure to humans. Various environmental samples were collected and analysed for 90Sr activity concentrations.

Long-term variations of man-made radionuclide concentrations in a bio-indicator Mytilus galloprovincialis from the French Mediterranean coast.

Results from a 14-year monitoring (1984-1997) of man-made radionuclide (137Cs and 106Ru) levels in Mytilus galloprovincialis collected monthly on the French Mediterranean coast are presented. In this area sources of man-made radionuclides are on the one hand atmospheric fallout from both the past nuclear testings and the Chernobyl accident and on the other hand discharges from nuclear installations located on the Rhône River banks, especially those from the spent nuclear fuel reprocessing plant in Marcoule. Long-term variations of radionuclide concentrations in Mytilus demonstrated seasonal variations which are linked to the reproductive cycle of these organisms as well as to variations in land-based inputs of man-made radionuclides.

Population dose near the Semipalatinsk test site.

To determine the consequences of atmospheric atomic bomb tests for the population in the surroundings of the former nuclear weapons test site near Semipalatinsk in Kazakhstan, a pilot study was performed by an international cooperation between Kazakh, French, Czech and German institutions at two villages, Mostik and Maisk. Together with Kazakh scientists, eight experts from Europe carried out a field mission in September 1995 to assess, within the framework of a NATO supported project, the radiological situation as far as external doses, environmental contamination and body burden of man were concerned. A summary of the results obtained is presented.

[Bioaccumulation of uranium by mussels, Mytilus edulis (L.) collected from the French coasts of the Channel and experimental contamination. Microanalysis by secondary ionic emission].

238U+ was detected in Mytilus edulis collected from the Pas-de-Calais and the Baie de Seine. Storage organs were mantle, digestive gland, intestine epithelium and gonad where the highest values occurred. Uranium uptake happened via gill and digestive tractus, and excretion via kidney.