A Joubert NATIONAL NUCLEAR REGULATOR

1. NNR FRAMEWORK FOR RADIOLOGICAL PROTECTION OF THE ENVIRONMENT SARPA, April 2009 A Joubert NATIONAL NUCLEAR REGULATOR

2. Introduction Regulatory philosophy Frame work Effects on Environment Dose Conversion Factors Reference organisms and habitats ICRP: Ref Animals and Plants Erica tool Way forward Content

3. NNR Decision to investigate international progress on radiological protection of the environment and to develop framework - 2007-8 The National Constitution, in Section 24, protects the rights of persons regarding the environment to such an extent that the environment is not harmful to their health or well-being and that the environment must be protected, for the benefit of present and future generations, through reasonable legislative and other measures that prevent pollution and ecological degradation; promote conservation; secure ecological sustainable development and use of natural resources while promoting justifiable economic and social development. Introduction

4. The National Nuclear Regulator Act, Act No. 47 of 1999 has the objective to provide for the protection of persons, property and the environment against nuclear damage through the establishment of safety standards and regulatory practices. In addition to these obligations, the NNR has to give effect to the principles of co-operative government and intergovernmental relations regarding legislation and other functions and must co-operate with one another in order to enhance the efficiency of the national management regime Introduction

5. The National Environmental Management Act, Act No. 107 of 1998 (NEMA), which has laid down certain principles, which may differ from those that have been applied by the NNR and other nuclear authorities over the world. Introduction

6. Process-based approach places requirements on licensees’ processes, competencies and self-assessment to manage nuclear safety. Prescriptive approach the regulator may impose technical requirements at the level of facility design and operational safety limits. Regulatory philosophy

7. NNR Independence Licensee Responsibilities The responsibility for the safety of a nuclear facility rests with the operating organization. The operating organization must establish policies for adherence to safety requirements, The operating organization ensures that responsibilities are well defined and documented and that the resources and facilities for the tasks of its staff are in place. Regulatory philosophy

8. Framework for protecting non-human species should be similar to that of protecting mankind. Framework should be based on scientific and ethical-philosophical principles. Framework is intended to be a practical tool to provide high level advice and guidance for regulators and operators on the following important aspects: An agreed set of quantities and units A set of reference dose models Reference dose-per-unit intake, and Reference fauna and flora Frame work

9. Applicable to Practice/Intervention Based on measured environmental radionuclide concentration Ref. fauna/flora: Look up tables Secondary ref: as required Protective action levels  Informed policy and management decision making reference dose models (EDEN, EPIC, EA R&D 128, ERICA< RESRAD-Biota) reference dose-per-unit-intake and external exposure values; reference data sets of doses and effects for humans and fauna and flora Frame work

10. Mutation: A change in the chromosome or genes of a cell which may affect the structure and development of the resultant offspring Morbidity: A loss of functional capacities generally manifested as reduced fitness, which may render organisms less competitive and more susceptible to other stressors, thus reducing their lifespan Reproduction: A decline in reproductive capacity manifest in the reduced number of offspring or sterility Effects on Environment

11. Mortality: The death rate; ratio of number of deaths to a given population Stimulation: Activation of defence mechanisms in organisms that lead to an increase in, for example, survival rates, number of offspring and growth Adaptation: Changes in an organism’s physiology, biochemistry or DNA that allows them to survive in conditions/environments that they previously would not Effects on Environment

12. Ecological:Non-direct ecological effects of radiation due to interactive relationships between populations, including competition, predator-prey interaction and mutualism. The radiation responses of individual populations cause indirect changes in the ecological balance between species in the ecosystem Effects on Environment

13. Definition of reference organisms Definition of exposure conditions Internal exposure External exposure Simulation of radiation transport for mono-energetic photons and electrons Link calculations for mono-energetic electrons and photons with nuclide-specific decay characteristics: => Dose conversion coefficients Dose Conversion Factors

14. The enormous variability of biota requires the definition of reference organisms that represent Plants and animals Different mass ranges Different habitats Define Exposure Conditions Habitats In soil/on soil In water/on water In sediment/interface water sediment Reference organisms and habitats

15. Deer Rat Duck Frog Trout Flatfish Bee Crab Earthworm Pine tree Grass Seaweed ICRP: Ref Animals and Plants

16. Erica tool

17. Way forward • Develop RD • Stakeholder consultation • Approve RD • Issue RD • Stakeholders implement RD • Develop policy/procedures • EIA • Training • Implementation

18. That’s all FOLKS