The IAEA standards for the radioactive discharge control: Present status and future development

As part of its functions, the IAEA periodically reviews the status and continued relevance of the safety standards to the needs of its Member States. Recent work is described on the development of standards for the radioactive discharge control including the development of practical guidance for setting discharge limits, the elaboration of a methodology for the radiation protection of non-human species, and the preparation of guidance on environmental modeling and monitoring for radiation protection purposes. The development of the IAEA safety documents is influenced both by the new ICRP recommendations and feedback from practical experience of application of existing standards. Recent international and regional tendencies, to reduce radioactive discharges below levels justified by radiological criteria are discussed.