The National Radioactivity Monitoring Program for the Regions of Uranium Mines and Uranium Legacy Sites in Portugal

AbstractFollowing closure of the uranium mining company, the areas of former radium and uranium mines were assessed for environmental radioactivity, stable metals and public health impact. Concentrations of radionuclideswere found highly enhanced in milling tailings, in mine drainage, and in some surface water streams.An environmental remediation plan was advisedand it is ongoing. Furthermore,field surveys are annually carried out and results reported to the Government, the European Union, and made available to the public. This monitoring program enabled assessing the radiological risk, and every year contributes to substantial improvement of radiological safety of population and environment