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Conference Spotlight
2026 Annual Conference
May 31–June 3, 2026
Denver, CO|Sheraton Denver
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The Standards Committee is responsible for the development and maintenance of voluntary consensus standards that address the design, analysis, and operation of components, systems, and facilities related to the application of nuclear science and technology. Find out What’s New, check out the Standards Store, or Get Involved today!
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Latest News
Blades-in turbine inspections at Quad Cities set new benchmark for Constellation
When Constellation decided to install replacement Alstom low-pressure turbines at three of its boiling water reactor plants more than 15 years ago, one benefit was knowing the new turbines should operate reliably—and without major inspections—for several years.
Carl M. Unruh
Nuclear Technology | Volume 24 | Number 3 | December 1974 | Pages 314-322
Technical Paper | Radioactive Waste | doi.org/10.13182/NT74-A31493
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
Man receives radiation doses from a variety of sources. Background radiation from terrestrial sources, cosmic rays, and the internal deposition of naturally occurring radioactive materials amounts to about 94 mrem/yr at sea level and varies widely with location and elevation. Medical services are estimated to contribute an average of 75 mrem/yr currently. Global fallout from previous weapons tests contribute about 4 mrem/yr. For 1970 the average annual dose from the U.S. nuclear power industry was about 0.003 mrem. Extensive studies have shown that in the year 2000 the average annual dose from nuclear power generation may be about 0.4 mrem/yr. For the average U.S. citizen, the largest annual radiation dose arises from naturally occurring background. For the year 1970, the radiation dose from the U.S. nuclear power industry was about 0.003% of that received from unavoidable natural background radiation. For the year 2000, the radiation dose from the U.S. nuclear power industry is predicted to be about 0.5% of that received from unavoidable natural background radiation.