Radiation level by source, 2000

Development

A provisional analysis shows that the average annual radiation dose per capita in the Netherlands in 2000 was approximately 2.3 mSv. Seventy per cent of this came from natural sources (Blaauboer, 2001). Some of this natural contribution has been increased by human intervention (for example, external radiation from building materials and exposure to cosmic radiation when flying) and is designated using the term 'technologically enhanced natural'. Exposure to ionising radiation during hospital treatment (X-rays, for example) dominates the radiation originating from artificial sources (red) with an estimated dose of 0.6 mSv per year. This last category in particular has continued to increase in recent years - by approximately 25% since 1988 - primarily as a result of an increase in the number of CT scans.

Approximately one third of the average radiation dose is determined by radon and thoron indoors. The 'other sources' component comprises exposure to radiation during air travel and after the discharge of nuclides from hospitals and laboratories. Almost 85% of the 'naturally occurring in the body' component is attributable to potassium-40 and lead -210/polonium-210 ingested in food.

Policy

The policy is very wide-ranging and can be sub-divided into environmental management, protection at work, and patient protection. The environment policy focuses on exposure to synthetic sources and on radon and decay products in built-up areas. Policy in the area of radon (in part technologically enhanced) focuses on new buildings. You can find a more detailed discussion of the policy in the relevant indicators (see also Eleveld et al., 2002).

Relevance

The average individual dose resulting from ionising radiation in the Netherlands was approximately 2.3 mSv in 2000. This dose corresponds to almost 2000 deaths annually (from cancer) in the Netherlands.

Technical note

The pie chart for radiation brings together the various sub-indicators. The methodology used is explained in those sub-indicators.

References

• Blaauboer, R. (2001). Blootstelling van de Nederlandse bevolking aan externe straling vanuit de omgeving. NVS Nieuws 26(3): 29-33 .
• Brugmans, M.J.P., W. Buijs, K. Geleijns and J. Lembrechts (2001). Blootstelling van de Nederlandse bevolking aan ioniserende straling voor medisch-diagnostische toepassingen. NVS Nieuws 26(1): 20-24.
• Eleveld, H., R.O. Blaauboer et al. (2002). Emissies en doses door bronnen van ioniserende straling in Nederland - Jaarrapport 2001 'Beleidsmonitoring straling'. RIVM (report no. 610 100 001), Bilthoven.
• Janssen, M.P.M. (2001). Blootstelling van de Nederlandse bevolking aan ioniserende straling - natuurlijke radionucliden in het lichaam en antropogene bronnen. NVS Nieuws 26(4): 34-37.
• Janssen, M.P.M. (2002). Radioactivity in Dutch consumer goods. RIVM (report no. 610 230 002). Bilthoven.
• Lembrechts J., (2001). Blootstelling van de Nederlandse bevolking aan radon. NVS Nieuws 26(3): 23-26.

Relevant sections and indicators in the Environmental Data Compendium

• Radioactive substances, emissions by Dutch nuclear power plants, 1975-2001
• Radioactive substances: emissions into ambient air and water by the processing industry in the Netherlands, 1994-2000
• Risks from potential accidents at European nuclear power plants, 2000
• Risks in the Netherlands from European nuclear power plants, 1960-2000
• Radiation: introduction
• Radon concentrations in housing, 1930-2000
• Radiation dose from artificial radioactive substances, 1960-2000
• Radiation dose from emissions of radioactive substances to air by Dutch industry, 2000
• Radioactivity in surface water, 1980-2000

Relevant information outside of the Environmental Data Compendium

• UN Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation, UNSCEAR (2000). Sources and effects of ionizing radiation. Volume I: sources. Report to the General Assembly with annexes. United Nations, New York. This report provides an overview of global radiation levels.