|
(52-08) Using LCA & Risk Assessment to trade-off Radiological & Non-Radiological Impacts. Shiels, Sean*,1,2, Garner, Dawn1, Clift, Roland2, 1 British Nuclear Fuels Plc., Sellafield, Cumbria2 Centre for Environmental Strategy, Guildford, Surrey ABSTRACT- There are problems with the present regulatory framework for the management of radioactive and non-radioactive environmental impacts within the UK nuclear industry. Currently, the environmental impacts of nuclear facilities are regulated under two independent pieces of legislation. Both are enforced by the Environment Agency (EA) but radiological impacts take precedence over non-radiological impacts. However, reduction in radiological impacts can lead to increases in non-radiological impacts which are arguably disproportionately large. The current regulatory framework does not recognise these trade-offs. The application of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) for the management of non-radiological impacts under the current IPPC regime has been well demonstrated. However, little work has been carried out to apply the technique to resolve the problems inherent under the dual regime within the nuclear industry. This report demonstrates how LCA and Risk Assessment can be used in combination to reveal the trade-off between radiological and non-radiological impacts. A case study focuses on the current management decisions regarding Carbon-14 discharges arising from the Sellafield nuclear fuel reprocessing plant - THORP. Key words: Life Cycle Assessment, Risk Assessment, Radiological & Non-Radiological Impact Assessment |
