Environmental Radiological Baseline at the RACSO Nuclear Center (1980-2020)

Abstract

The evaluation of radioactivity levels between 1980 and 2020 was carried out in order to establish an environmental radiological baseline of the area of influence of the Oscar Miró Quesada de la Guerra “Racso” Nuclear Center. During this period, an equivalent rate of environmental dose between 0.07 and 0.14 microSievert / hour was determined, the continuous presence of atmospheric discharges of I-131 was verified as part of the production process of this radioisotope for medical applications. In addition, other anthropogenic radionuclides were identified such as Na-22, Mn-54, Co-60, Nb-95, Zr-95, Zn-65, Te-123m, Tc-99m, Cs-134 and Cs-137, distributed in different environmental matrices such as air, water, residual sludge, soil and bioindicators. However, all levels of activity concentration do not represent a radiological risk for the population and the environment.