Abstract

Within the framework of a monitoring programme, the RIVM measures the release of radioactivity into the waste water an atmosphere of COVRA N.V. Measurements are carried out eight times per year. This form of counterexpertise is aimed at verifying and supporting the reliability of the analyses carried out by COVRA . The two different sets of measurements are generally in agreement, as was also the case in waste water samples of 2007 for the gammaspectrometric results, the gross-alpha, 3H and 14C results. A few discrepancies that were observed in 2007 concern the nuclides 106Ru and 125Sb, and the presence of a low activity of 22Na and 60Co in waste water. The differences in the gross-beta results from RIVM and the rest-beta results from COVRA are reasonable. This is regarding the fact that RIVM and COVRA apply different measuring principles. The results obtained by RIVM and COVRA in ventilation air samples are in good agreement. The RIVM analyzed seven waste water samples and eight samples of ventilation air taken by COVRA at various time points dispersed throughout 2007. The analyses were carried out on behalf of the Department of Nuclear Safety, Security and Safeguards of the Dutch Ministry of Housing, Spatial Planning and the Environment (VROM).