Background
As the need for environmental assessment increases there is a requirement to ensure that regulators, industry and their representatives are: conversant with assessment objectives; know how to use available tools; can interpret the results; understand the implications of how the tools are used. Under funding from the Natural Environment Research Council, STAR partners NERC-CEH, IRSN and SCK•CEN together with the University of Stirling, developed and ran a number of training course on radiological environmental assessment focussing on the ERICA Tool (course materials and feedback can be found here). The courses are primarily aimed at regulators and industry, and those who may conduct assessments on their behalf. However, the course is also open to PhD. students.
Radiological Protection of the Environment training courses
Course structure & objectives
The course is structured such that day 1 will provide a basic grounding and days 2 and 3 will go into more detail. The objectives are to ensure participants are:
- conversant with assessment objectives
- have a basic understanding of radionuclide transfer, dosimetry and radiation effects
- know how to use the available tools & can interpret the results
- understand the implications of how the tools are used
Recommended reading
We have prepared some background information to give a basic overview of each topic and also provide key references for further reading - please read this material prior to attending the training course.
Introduction to environmental radiation protection - Added March 2014 Transfer models within radiological environmental assessment tools - Added March 2014 Radiation Effects on plants and animals - Added March 2014 Setting and using benchmarks in radiological assessments of the environment - Added March 2014 Dispersion modelling: ERICA methodology and optional alternatives - Added March 2014 Radiation dosimetry for animals and plants - Added March 2014 Updates to the ERICA Tool - version to be released 2014 - Amended 28 March 2014 Updates to the ERICA tool version 1.2 (substantial updates) released November 2014 - Added November 2014
Previous course lecturers
- Dr. Brenda Howard (CEH Lancaster)
- Dr. Nick Beresford (CEH Lancaster)
- Dr. David Copplestone (Stirling University)
- Prof. Jordi Vives i Batlle (SCK-CEN, Belgium)
Registration for future courses
Please email Catherine Barnett to be added to the waiting list for the 1/2 day course or for future full courses.
ERICA Tool
Further information on the ERICA Tool
Updates to the ERICA Tool - version released 2014