Task Group 80
Geological Disposal of Long-Lived Solid Radioactive Waste

Terms of Reference: prepare a publication that describes in plain language and clarifies the application of the new recommendations (ICRP 101, 103) for the protection against occupational and public exposures that may result from the geological disposal of long-lived solid radioactive waste. The publication will discuss how the key RP principles for planned exposure situation apply to the successive phases of managing such type of disposal of long-lived solid radioactive waste. It will also address the transition from a planned to an existing exposure situation in case of loss of control as well as the applicability of estimated individual and collective effective doses as a means for decision aiding over the different time scales in the lifetime of a repository.

Particular attention will be given to distinguish between the short- and the long-term (i.e., the pre-closure and post-closure phases, at a minimum) in describing:
• the application of the basic concepts and terms, eg. the RP principles, the different types of exposure situations (including human actions);
• the use and application of dosimetric units and concepts (effective dose and risk constraints, potential exposures, collective dose, different time frames, the notion of health detriment);
• the protection of the environment;
• the nature and role of optimization (stepwise approach, optimization of radiological protection versus system optimization, BAT, etc.);
• the role of the dialogue amongst regulators, implementers and relevant stakeholders and practical implementation of the recommendations, especially for regulatory application.

The publication will build on previous ICRP recommendations (Pub 77 and 81) taking into account the new orientations provided by 101 and 103 and important materials from international organizations. Feedback from discussions at the national and international level will be considered thanks to the proposed membership of the TG.

Deliverables: Report on the application of RP principles in the geological disposal of long-lived radioactive waste, to update ICRP 77 and 81. Total volume including Annexes: max. 50 pages.