Ionising radiation exposure in the Netherlands

The Dutch population is exposed to ionising radiation from various sources, both natural and man-made. This is a review of the radiation exposure for members of the public from all sources for the year 2000. The average annual effective dose per capita is estimated at 2.5 mSv, which is almost the same value as in the previous review for 1988. In the previous review the radiation dose was presented in effective dose equivalent using the accompanying dose conversion coefficients. For a good comparison the 1988 data were reanalysed using the improved knowledge for the situation at that time and the current dose conversion coefficients. This reanalysis revealed the same value, 2.4 mSv, for the total average radiation exposure in 1988. Nevertheless, the underlying analysed exposure due to specific sources showed quite a few differences. The main differences between the average annual radiation exposure in the current review and the reanalysed review for 1988 are ascribed to the increased medical diagnostic exposure (+0.12 mSv) and increased radon exposure (+0.05 mSv). The radiation exposure from other sources remained the same or showed a minor decrease (