Workshop: environmental effects of chronic low level radioactive contamination

Aim

By bringing together scientists involved in environmental and/or laboratory studies of radiation effects, allied ecological fields and radiation protection specialists we aimed to:

discuss field based studies of effects of radiation at low chronic dose rates
investigate the available radiation effects data for low dose rates and consider how these can be incorporated into improved radiation protection systems;
discuss current methods for deriving numerical dose rate benchmarks for application in environmental assessments;
consider uncertainties in dose estimation including measurements in the field
start to understand the basis behind some of the contrasting results and interpretations on the effects of radiation in the environment;
agree future research priorities and mechanisms whereby data can be shared.
gain a greater understanding of the impacts of radiation on wildlife

List of participants

Workshop conclusions

Agenda and links to presentations

Monday 4^th February 2013

Presentations on field based studies on radiation effects

Chernobyl

Internal and external doses and the effects of low-dose radiation - Timothy A. Mousseau
Biological effects of chronic exposure to radionuclides in plant populations (Chernobyl + Komi. S. Urals) - Stanislav Geraskin

Fukushima

Radioactive contamination of nest materials due to the Fukushima nuclear accident in passerine birds - Shin Matsui
Fukushima-derived radionuclide exposure and effects on birds and frogs - Christelle Adam-Guillermin
From molecules to men: Effects of low-dose radiation at Chernobyl and Fukushima - A Møller

Others (Mayak., field irradiation)

Lessons learned from the small mammal field irradiator studies in Canada - Steve Mihok
Issues concerning the measurement of Radioadaptation of small mammals in the East Urals radioactive trace - Elena Grigorkina

Tuesday 5th February 2013

Radiobiological evidences for effects of chronic low doses on wildlife, with a particular focus on field data – Almudena Real
Application of screening values – Jacqueline Garnier Laplace
Uncertainties in measurement of radiation doses to biota in the field – Jordi Vives i Batlle
Comparison between data from lab and field - Dave Spurgeon

Presentations were followed by breakout groups to discuss key uncertainties and what are the key research priorities.
(Chairs : Paul Whitehouse – EA & Claus Svendsen – CEH)

Wednesday 6th February 2013