CEJOEM 1999 5(2):136-141
ABSTRACT: The almost 50 years history of investigation,
mining and milling, and liquidation of projects of the uranium industry
in Bulgaria necessitates an evaluation of the radiation exposure of the
human population in the regions around these sites. Beside the classic
environmental effects of mining industry the uranium projects have particularly
harmful influence on the environment by their radiation component. This
burden on the people can be assessed.
Based on the available information and expert evaluations, an analysis of the exposures was made on the excess of radiation above the background received by the Bulgarian population from the mining and milling of uranium ores.
The assessment was made for approx. 135,000 people. The mean value of the exposure in excess of the background by the technologically risen natural radiation was 3.04 mSv/a, while the background radiation was about 2.3 mSv/a effective dose. The collective effective dose was 410 mSv/a and represents about 5% of the whole radiation received by the Bulgarian population.
KEY WORDS: Uranium mines, radiation load, effective dose
| Received: 22 March 1998
Accepted: 10 August 1999 Posted: December 1999 |
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