Assessment of annual effective dose for the public caused by the discharge of uranium-containing wastewater into river
10.13491/j.issn.1004-714X.2025.02.020
- VernacularTitle:含铀废水入河排放所致公众年有效剂量评估
- Author:
Chang LIU
1
;
Hailong CHEN
1
;
Dong LIANG
1
;
Linfeng SHI
1
;
Hongwei CHAI
1
Author Information
1. China Institute of Radiation Protection, Taiyuan 030006 China.
- Publication Type:OriginalArticles
- Keywords:
Uranium-containing wastewater;
Discharge into river;
Uranium concentration;
Annual effective dose;
Radiation impact
- From:
Chinese Journal of Radiological Health
2025;34(2):259-263
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Objective To predict the radiation impact of discharging wastewater containing uranium within the specified limit generated during the normal operation of a new production line at a nuclear fuel plant on the receiving water body and its downstream, and to provide a reference for the management of radioactive liquid effluent discharge from nuclear facilities. Methods Based on the technical guidelines for environmental impact assessment, literature on radiation environmental impact assessment, and data collected from on-site investigations, appropriate hydrological parameters and prediction models were selected to analyze and predict the variation pattern of radioactive nuclide uranium along the receiving water body and the radiation exposure of nearby residents. Results The maximum increase in uranium concentration in the receiving water body and its downstream caused by the discharge of uranium-containing wastewater was 1.14 μg/L. The maximum predicted concentration was 2.75 μg/L after adding the background data of the water body. The resulting maximum individual annual effective dose for the public was 1.49 × 10−4 mSv/a. Conclusion The maximum predicted uranium concentration in the receiving water body and its downstream is lower than the uranium concentration limit of 30 μg/L specified in the Standards for Drinking Water Quality (GB 5749-2022). The maximum individual annual effective dose for the public is much lower than the control value of 0.2 mSv/a specified in the Radiation Protection Regulations for Uranium Processing and Fuel and Fuel Manufacturing Facilities (EJ 1056-2018). The radiation impact is acceptable.
