Radioactivity Monitoring of the Surface Air Layer and Atmospheric Fallout Near NPP

Abstract

The emissions from Russian NPP in 2011–2017, which, on the whole, taking the specifics of nuclear reactors into consideration, correspond to the global emissions, are analyzed. The public irradiation dose due to NPP emissions is estimated to be 0.01–0.1% of the dose due to natural background radiation. It is shown that the location of fixed stations for monitoring the radioactivity of the surface air layer and atmospheric fallout near NPP meets the requirements of Russian regulatory documents and IAEA recommendations. The volume activity of ¹³⁷Cs, ⁶⁰Co, and other technogenic radionuclides in the surface air layer in the NPP observation zones are 10⁴–10⁸ times lower than the volumetric activity admissible for the public. To improve the monitoring of the radiation conditions, the ¹⁴C and ³H present in the emissions from NPP must be monitored, and collection of atmospheric fallout at fixed observation stations near NPP must be more efficient.