Software module for assessing the achievement of radiological equivalence (ROZA-RAO)

«Radiation and Risk», 2022, vol. 31, No. 4, pp.21-33

DOI: 10.21870/0131-3878-2022-31-4-21-33

Authors

Menyajlo A.N. – Senior Researcher, C. Sc., Biol. Contacts: 4 Korolyov str., Obninsk, Kaluga region, Russia, 249035. Tel.: (484) 399-32-81; e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
Chekin S.Yu. – Head of Lab.
Lovachev S.S. – Research Assistant
Tumanov K.А. – Head of Lab., C. Sc., Biol.
Ivanov V.K. – Scientific Advisor of NRER, Chairman of RSCRP, Corr. Member of RAS, D. Sc., Tech. A. Tsyb MRRC.
A. Tsyb MRRC, Obninsk

Abstract

The main problem of the large-scale development of nuclear energy in the world is the safe disposal of accumulated radioactive waste (RW). The hazard of RW at the time of their formation to human health far exceeds the hazard of the source natural uranium ore, after the use of which these wastes were formed. Due to the natural processes of radioactive decay, the hazard of radioactive waste decreases over time. The hazard of waste can also be reduced by artificial transmutation or incinera-tion of the radionuclides that make up RW composition. For uranium nuclear fuel cycles, the natural reference level of RW hazard is the hazard level of the uranium ore, upon reaching which decisions can be made on the final disposal of RW. The article presents a method for estimating the time of achieving radiological equivalence of the mass of accumulated RW of nuclear energy and the source mass of natural uranium raw materials used in this case. A description of the software module "Radiological support of protection – radioactive waste" (PM ROZA-RAO), which implements this method, is also presented. Radiological equivalence herein refers to the equality of the corresponding radiation risks for the population. The methodology used is determined by the current recommendations of the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) and the United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation (UNSCEAR) on the calculation of human radiation risks from internal exposure based on equivalent doses in organs and tissues. The determination of equivalent doses to organs and tissues was based on dose coefficients of radioactive substances provided for widespread use by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Calculations by means of the PM ROZA-RAO showed that within the framework of the most likely scenario for the development of two-component nuclear energy system in Russia, for radioactive waste accumulated by 2100, the time of onset of radiological equivalence is less than 100 years (98.8 years). With the help of the developed software module, for the first time in the nuclear industry, the parameters of the processing of exposed nuclear fuel (the composition and activity of radionuclides for controlled storage, combustion and transmutation) and the management of RW can be determined, minimizing the potential radiation risks of the population, which corresponds to the best practice of developed countries in the field of radiation protection.

Key words
radioactive waste, natural uranium raw materials, radiation equivalence, radiological equivalence, radiation safety, radiation risk, radiobiological effects, malignant neoplasm, radiation risk models of ICRP and UNSCEAR, dose coefficients, internal exposure, radionuclides, expected effective dose, equivalent dose.

References

1. Adamov E.O., Ganev I.Kh. Ecologically impeccable nuclear energy. Moscow, N.A. Dollezhal NIKIET, 2007. 145 p. (In Russian).

2. Lopatkin A.V. Radiation-equivalent treatment of radioactive waste. Technical Reference 01.2017 NPRE. Moscow, 2017. 21 p. (In Russian).

3. ICRP, 2007. The 2007 Recommendations of the International Commission on Radiological Protection. ICRP Publication 103. Ann. ICRP, 2007, vol. 37, no. 2-4, pp. 1-332.

4. United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation (UNSCEAR). Sources and effects of ionizing radiation. UNSCEAR 2006 Report Vol. I, Annex A: Epidemiological studies of radiation and cancer. New York, United Nation, 2008.

5. Menyajlo A.N., Chekin S.Yu., Kashcheev V.V., Maksioutov М.А., Korelo A.M., Tumanov K.A., Pryakhin E.A., Lovachev S.S., Karpenko S.V., Kashcheeva P.V., Ivanov V.K. Lifetime attributable risks from external and internal exposure to radiation: method for estimating. Radiatsiya i risk – Radiation and Risk, 2018, vol. 27, no. 1, pp. 8-21. (In Russian).

6. Menyajlo A.N., Chekin S.Yu., Lovachev S.S., Tumanov K.A., Korelo A.M., Ivanov V.K. Software module for radiological protection of the public. Radiatsiya i risk – Radiation and Risk, 2020, vol. 29, no. 2, pp. 32-48. (In Russian).

7. ICRP Database of Dose Coefficients: Workers and Members of the Public; Ver. 3.0, official website. Available at: http://www.icrp.org/page.asp?id=402 (Accessed 08.04.2021).

8. DCAL Software and Resources. Available at: https://www.epa.gov/radiation/dcal-software-and-resources (Accessed 13.04.2021).

9. Malignant neoplasms in Russia in 2017 (morbidity and mortality). Eds.: A.D. Kaprin, V.V. Starinskiy, G.V. Petrova. Moscow, Р. Hertsen MORI, 2018. (In Russian).

10. Ivanov V.K., Chekin S.Yu., Menyajlo A.N., Maksioutov М.А., Tumanov K.A., Kashcheeva P.V., Lovachev S.S., Adamov E.O., Lopatkin A.V. Radiation and radiological equalities between natural uranium and radio-active waste in innovative two-component nuclear energy system. Radiatsiya i risk – Radiation and Risk, 2019, vol. 28, no. 1, pp. 5-25. (In Russian).

11. Preston D.L., Kusumi S., Tomonaga M., Izumi S., Ron E., Kuramoto A., Kamada N., Dohy H., Matsui T., Nonaka H., Thompson D.E., Soda M., Mabuchi K. Cancer incidence in atomic bomb survivors. Part III: Leukemia, lymphoma and multiple myeloma, 1950-1987. Radiat. Res., 1994, vol. 137 (Suppl.), pp. 68-97.

12. Preston D.L., Ron E., Tokuoka S., Funamoto S., Nishi N., Soda M., Mabuchi K., Kodama K. Solid cancer incidence in atomic bomb survivors: 1958-1998. Radiat. Res., 2007, vol. 168, no. 1, pp. 1-64.

Full-text article (in Russian)