Element | Considerations |
Exposure of biota | • Spatial and temporal patterns of radionuclide in environment in material; • Uptake by organism; • Non-uniform distribution within organism. |
Reference biota | • Not possible to evaluate all biota; • Need to select reference biota or indicator species appropriate for area of interest and desirable basis for selection; • Possible need consider individuals biota per se when species are endangered. |
Dosimetry model for reference biota | • Absorbed dose (to whole body or to tissue/organ); • Geometry corrections; • Relative biological effectiveness (RBE): the effects of different qualities of radiation on biota. |
Endpoints in radiological assessment | • Selection of appropriate population level (deterministic) “umbrella” effects such as mortality or reproductive capacity and corresponding references doses. |
Effects on biota | • Connection between radiation effects on “umbrella” endpoint in individual, and consequent “possible” effects on population; • Role of background radiation levels; • Natural population variability. |