Safety ranking of chernobyl radioactive legacy sites situated in populated areas for prioritization of remedial measures

Abstract

Methodology and results are presented for the “safety ranking” of legacy radioactive material storage sites that are situated in populated areas adjacent to the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone and contain wastes from clean-up and decontamination operations carried out in 1986 - 1989. Based on this safety ranking, recommendations regarding the order of remediation and management strategy for these sites are provided. The results suggest that remedial works for radioactive legacy sites can be optimized, and waste volumes that may require retrieval and further disposal in engineered facilities can be considerably minimized. It is recommended that the managing organization (Kyiv Inter-Regional Special Combine of UkrSC “Radon”) should focus their characterization, monitoring and maintenance works on the relatively few higher risk legacy sites identified in this study, while low-risk sites can be eventually released from regulatory control.