Pre-operational environmental survey for a power reactor.

Abstract The operation of a reactor plant presents the possibility that radioactive material may be released in sufficient amounts to increase the levels of radioactivity in the surrounding environment. If an increase over pre-existing levels is to be observed, it is necessary to know what these background levels are before the plant goes into operation. The pre-operational environmental survey is carried out to determine these levels. The scope of such a survey, the sensitivity limits and the requirements they impose on methods and instruments are discussed.