A procedure for minimizing the environmental burden and maximizing the efficiency of storage sites used for the final disposal of spent fuel has been proposed. In this procedure, fission products (highly mobile and producing heat) are collected, and uranium and TRU-RE (transuranium-rare earth) oxide are independently stored. The possibility and applicability of radiation measurement for monitoring the nuclear materials effectively throughout the process has been simulated and evaluated. For the simulation, the properties of the chemical processes were analyzed, the major radiation emitters were determined, and the production of nuclear materials by chemical reactions were evaluated. In each process, the content of nuclear material was changed by up to 20% to represent abnormal conditions. The results showed that the plutonium peak was matched with the change in the TRU content and the measured signal was changed linearly with respect to the content change of the plutonium. From the neutron measurement, a linear response of the TRU content variation was obtained. In addition, a logic diagram was developed for the nuclear monitoring. The integration of radiation detections is recommended for monitoring the process effectively and efficiently.

Currently, Japan is undertaking a nationwide project to measure and map radioactive contamination around Fukushima, as part of the efforts to restore normalcy following the nuclear accident. The Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA) manages the Fukushima Environmental Safety Center, located approximately 20 km north of the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant in Minamisōma City, Fukushima Prefecture. In collaboration with the JAEA, this study involved conducting comparison experiments and analyses with radiation detectors in high radiation environments, a challenging task in Korean environments. Environmental radiation surveys were conducted using three types of detectors: CZT, NaI(Tl), and LaBr3(Ce), across two contaminated areas. Dose rate values were converted using dose rate conversion factors for each detector type, and dose rate maps were subsequently created and compared. The detectors yielded similar results, demonstrating their feasibility and reliability in high radiation environments. The findings of this study are expected to be a crucial reference for enhancing the verification and supplementation of procedures and methods in future radiation measurements and mobile surveys in high-radiation environments, using these three types of radiation instruments.

Airborne surveys are an essential analysis method for rapid response and contamination identification in the early event of a radiation emergency. On the other hand, airborne surveys are far from the ground, so it is necessary to convert the dose rate at a height of 1 m above the ground. In order to improve the accuracy of the analysis value, a lot of analysis of the measurement data is required. In our previous research, we developed MARK-A1, an instrument for rapid radiation aerial survey in high radiation environment, and MARK-M1, a multipurpose instrument for radiation detection. In this study, a large unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) was used to conduct airborne surveys using three types of detectors in the Jeju Island environment. The NaI(Tl) detector uses one 3-inch scintillator (38 mm φ × 38 mm H), and the LaBr3 detector uses two 2-inch scintillators (25 mm φ × 25 mm H). The CZT detector uses a detector with dimensions of (15 mm × 15 mm × 7.5 mm). The UAV has a payload of 15 kg (J10, JCH systems Inc. Seoul, Korea). Three different detectors were operated at a constant height of 20 m, 30 m, and 50 m. The flight experiments were performed in the west near Jeju City. Dose rate conversion factors were used to convert the dose rate from the measured spectra, and hovering flights were conducted between 1 and 50 meters to derive altitude correction factors. In this paper, the data measured with each detector in the same area were compared and the differences were derived.

After the Fukushima nuclear accident in Japan in March 2011, many Koreans were concerned that products exposed to radioactive materials released from the nuclear power plant would be imported into Korea. Systematic radiation monitoring was required for food and daily necessities imported from the nuclear accident area. The need for a legal system to support systematic radiation monitoring was also demanded. The Act on Protective Action Guidelines against Radiation in the Natural Environment was enacted to resolve concerns regarding environmental radiation in Korea in July 2011. According to this law, radiation monitoring equipment has been installed and operated at major airports and ports nationwide. This paper aims to review the radiation monitoring system of the Korean government comprehensively. The legal system and the legal basis for radiation monitoring of imported cargo conducted by each department were investigated by analyzing the laws and regulations of radiation monitoring for the relevant cargo items. In addition, the current status of radiation monitoring by the government departments was examined to determine how radiation monitoring for imported cargo is performed within the legal system. The investigation of the current radiation monitoring system for imported cargo in Korea confirmed that radiation monitoring is conducted by classifying cargo items under the jurisdiction of each government department for all imported cargo. However, the reduction in efficiency of radiation monitoring of imported cargoes, unclear legal grounds for radiation monitoring of imported cargo by some departments, the occurrence of overlapping inspections by departments, and the difficult process of issuing the radiation test certificate required for customs clearance by the Korea Customs Service were also identified. As a result of the analysis, it was found that the current radiation monitoring system for imported cargo in Korea ought to be improved, taking into account efficiency, overlapping inspection, legal background, and the difficult process of issuing the certificates.

When the leakage of radioactive material or radiation to the environment or a concern, it is important to accurately understand the impact on the environment. Therefore, environmental effects evaluation using modeling based on meteorological data and source-term data is carried out, or environmental radiation monitoring which is an emergency response activity that directly measures dose is performed. As lessons learned from the Fukushima accident, environmental effects evaluation and modeling cannot utilize during the emergency and decision-making process for protective action for the public. Thus, rapid environmental radiation monitoring is required. In Korea, when an emergency is issued at a nuclear facility, urgent environmental radiation monitoring is conducted based on the national nuclear emergency preparedness and response plan, which can provide important information for decisionmaking on public protective actions. A review of strategies for urgent environmental radiation monitoring is important in performing efficient emergency responses. The main purpose of urgent environmental radiation monitoring is to gather data for decisionmaking on public protective actions to minimize the damage from the accident. For effective data collection and distribution, support from the national and local government and local public organizations and radiation expertise groups, and nuclear facility licensee are required. In addition, an emergency environmental radiation monitoring manual is required to immediately perform environmental monitoring in an emergency situation. The manual for emergency monitoring should include the activities to be conducted according to the phases of the emergency. The phases of the emergency are divided into pre-leakage, post-leakage, intermediate, and recovery. The reasons for establishing strategies are government and public information, the implementation of urgent population protection countermeasures, predicting and tracking plume trajectory, and detection of any release, the protection of emergency and recovery workers, the implementation of agricultural countermeasures and food restrictions, the implementation of intermediate- and recovery-phase countermeasures, contamination control. Besides meteorological data, ambient dose rate and dose, airborne radionuclide concentration, environmental deposition, food, water, and environmental contamination, individual dose, and object surface contamination data are also required for making information for the public.

병해충을 막기 위해 농업용 살충제가 광범위하게 사용되고 있다. 농약사용에 따른 생물학적 위해가 우려되며 농약이 또 다른 환경유해요인과 인체에 상승적으로 작용할 경우 농업재해로 이어질 가능성이 있다. 다양한 인자에 의한 DNA손상을 감지하는데 유용한 단세포 겔 전기영동법을 이용하여 살충제와 방사선에 의한 사람 림프구 DNA손상을 평가하였다. 각기 다른 농도로 살충제를 10분간 전처리한 림프구와 정상 림프구에 0-2.0 Gy의 방사선으로 조사한 다음 DNA

원전 주변의 농경지에서 생산되는 농산물은 방사능 오염으로 인해 체내 방사능 오염을 유발할 가능성을 가질 수 있다. 이에 원전 주변에서 채취된 농산물을 건조 처리하여 섭취에 의한 내부피폭선량 평가를 위해 90Sr의 방사능 농도의 한계치를 알아보고자 하였다. 감마동위원소 분석결과 모든 시료에서 인공핵종은 검출 되지 않았으며, 쌀에서 < 0.0166~0.0336 Bq/kg-fresh, 배추에서 <0.00586~0.0421 Bq/kg-fresh, 열무에서 <0.013 5 ~0.106 Bq/kg-fresh, 배에서 0.0114 ~ 0.0901 Bq/kg-fresh 로서 평상변동범위 수준이었다. 일반인에 대한 연간 선량한도인 1.0 mSv 대비 쌀, 배추, 열무의 90Sr에 대해 각각 0.0177%, 0.0222%, 0.0376%, 0.00243%가 나 왔으며, 이 값은 일반인에 대한 법적 기준치 1 mSv/yr∙man 비해 0.1 % 미만의 값이 나타났다. 따라서 식생활에서 음식 섭취량 또는 연령을 고려하여 어린이, 어른이 섭취하는 식품에 대한 폭넓은 평가가 필요할 것으로 사료된다.