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APPENDIX IV 89
description of the criteria used for the definition of the programme
has been given elsewhere [21], The main objective is, of course,
the determination of the dose to which the population is exposed or,
at least, the evaluation of the upper limit of such a dose, to comply
with the regulations issued by the competent authorities. Other
objectives are the improvement of the knowledge in the field of
radiation protection and the establishment and maintenance of good
public relations with the population of the zone. A further scope
is that of keeping in operation men and materials to face possible
emergency situations.
Within the limits posed by the practical means, the programme,
through a careful choice of materials and measurements, aims at
evaluating for the individual radionuclides the activity released, the
successive dilution in the main environmental media (air and water)
and the possible accumulation in particular materials. This involves
a larger number of measurements than would be sufficient to achieve
the principal objective of the monitoring programme. However, the
information thus collected is often very useful in providing a better
knowledge both of the local situation and, more generally, of the
mechanisms involved in the transfer of the radionuclides to man.
Moreover, it has been judged useful to maintain some other measurements,
in addition to those concerning the critical pathways and
groups, with the aim of keeping a check on the absence of unexpected
contamination due to the Establishment.
CZECHOSLOVAKIA
Monitoring pitwater from mines for radioactive ores
In mining radioactive ores in various districts it is necessary
to drain off the pitwater, which usually contains variable amounts
226 210
of natural radioactive substances, especially Ra, Pb and
uranium. The release of pitwater into surface waters is preceded
by decontamination. According to the regulations previously valid,
the volume activities (concentrations) of radionuclides in waste water
should not exceed the maximum permissible concentrations laid down
at that time for drinking water, or ten-fold higher values in the case
of special approval of the local hygiene authorities. At present the
Czechoslovak regulations postulate, as a criterion (upper limit)
for the release of radioactive substances into the environment, the
dose limits for members of the public (values recommended in