Radiation Protection Optimisation in New Nuclear Build: Challenges in the application of the As Low As Reasonably Achievable (ALARA) Principle
Creators: name: BRYANT, PETER A
Publisher: name: University of Surrey
Year: 2021

description: The “As Low As Reasonably Achievable” (ALARA) principle is one of the 3 fundamental
description: elements of radiation protection. Noting that ionising radiation is both encountered naturally
description: in the environment as part of everyday life, and artificially as part of a range of practices, the
description: ALARA principle aims to provide a means of optimising radiation exposures.
description: Recent studies have highlighted ongoing challenges with the application of the principle,
description: particular around the determination of the optimised, or “reasonable” outcome. In the case
description: of nuclear power these challenges are heightened by a generally negative public perception
description: of radiation in the context of nuclear power, as a result of the incidents at the Chernobyl and
description: Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power station. This has led to the ALARA principle often being
description: overly conservatively applied and focusing of dose minimisation rather than optimisation, at
description: a cost disproportionate to the risk.
description: With the ongoing concerns of climate change, the UK, as with other countries have made a
description: commitment to embrace low carbon energy systems. In support of this ambition new nuclear
description: power has been identified as a key part of the energy mix, highlighting the need to further
description: develop the ALARA concept, to ensure a fair treatment of the perceived “unique” radiological
description: risk of nuclear power.
description: This PhD by Published Works has pulled together 6 peer reviewed publications in support of
description: resolving a number of key challenges associated with the ALARA principle in the context of
description: New Nuclear Build in the UK. The key contributions of this PhD to the advancement of the
description: field include:
description: • The development of a holistic approach to applying the ALARA principle, allowing a
description: risk informed treatment of all hazards rather than focusing solely on radiation.
description: • The development of an approach to integrate public engagement into the ALARA
description: framework, allowing consideration of the societal impact from stress and concerns
description: associated with the spread of misinformation.
description: • The development of a framework to tackle the future radiation protection skills gap
description: and meet the demand across the nuclear fuel cycle and other radiation protection
description: related industries.
description: • The development of a flexible competency system to take a holistic view of the
description: technical capability and training requirements across both the future new nuclear
description: operators and supply chain, required to support the application of the ALARA
description: principle.
description: It is hoped that the contents of the PhD thesis will provide a useful input to the ongoing
description: development of the ALARA principle, not only within the UK nuclear industry, but wider
description: radiation protection field, both in the UK and abroad.