The Atomic Energy Regulatory Board has published the safety guidance on Regulatory Control of radioactive discharges to the environment and disposal of solid waste from Facilities and Activities for planned exposure situation.
The objective of the guidance is to provide harmonised, structured and graded approach for authorisation of waste discharge / disposal considering optimisation of protection and safety guidance for implementation of waste discharge / disposal authorisation to ensure compliance with the safety requirements. This safety guide also provides guidance regarding disposal of waste from radioactive consumer products.
This safety guide applies to radioactive discharge to the environment and disposal of solid waste for different types of nuclear fuel cycle and radiation facilities during normal operation. It is applicable for nuclear installations including mining and processing of ores for the extraction of uranium or thorium as part of the nuclear fuel cycle programme and the applications of radioisotopes in industry, medicine, agriculture and research. This safety guide is applicable for new, existing and modified facilities/ activities or for the review of an established waste discharge / disposal authorization.
The mission of AERB is to ensure that the use of ionizing radiation and nuclear energy does not cause undue risk to the health of the people and the environment. The AERB safety codes on Radiation Protection and Radioactive Waste Management specify the radiation protection requirements which must be fulfilled during the radioactive effluent discharge and disposal of solid wastes. These requirements are based on the justification, optimisation and dose limitation principles of the IAEA Safety Standard and recommendations of ICRP.
The Dose limits prescribed by AERB and the dose constraints should be used for control of radiation exposure to the workers and the public. The exposure to the workers and the public should be reviewed and protection should be optimized so as to maintain individual doses as per ALARA principle. Radioactive waste handling and discharge/disposal practices should be carried out in a manner so as not to cause any unacceptable radiation dose to the workers and the members of the public.
