EFFECTS OF DOSE LIMITS REDUCTION ON THE ARGENTINE NUCLEAR-POWER-PLANTS

Occupational doses are evaluated in different stages of the fuel cycle and in the operation of nuclear power plants. Trends in individual do se distribution and collective doses are analyzed. The most contributi ve working conditions to collective dose are identified and the implic ations of dose limit reduction recommended by the ICRP in 1990 are ass essed. It is concluded that no relevant difficulties should appear in accomplishing the new recommendations except for implementation at Atu cha I, a nuclear power plant designed in the 1960s. Some options to re duce individual and collective doses in this plant are analyzed. The c hange of fuel channels by new ones free from cobalt is essential to ge t effective improvement of occupational exposures.