During 2005, radionuclides reached the Hanford environment in gaseous and liquid effluents from Site operations. Potential radiological doses to the public from these releases were evaluated in detail to determine compliance with pertinent regulations and limits. The annual average dose from 2005 Hanford Site operations was 0.001-microrem. The annual dose to the hypothetical maximally exposed individual was 0.037-millirem.

Every year, the average American receives approximately 300-millirem dose from natural sources. At the same time, we also typically receive 65-millirem from anthropogenic sources such as medical x-rays, consumer products, and past worldwide atmospheric weapons tests. The National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurement considers that exposures below 1 millirem per year correspond to a negligible individual risk level and should not be considered further. The current DOE radiological dose limit for a member of the public is 100-millirem per year.

Additional information on dose assessment is available in the 2006 Hanford Site Environmental Report.

For more information, contact:

Ernest Antonio
Battelle, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
902 Battelle Boulevard, MSIN K3-54
P.O. Box 999
Richland, Washington 99352

E-mail: e.antonio@pnl.gov