The MILDOS-AREA computer code calculates the radiological dose commitments received by individuals and the general population within an 80-km radius of an operating uranium recovery facility. In addition, air and ground concentrations of radionuclides are estimated for individual locations, as well as for a generalized population grid. Extra-regional population doses resulting from transport of radon and export of agricultural produce are also estimated.

The transport of radiological emissions from point and different area sources is predicted with a sector-averaged Gaussian plume dispersion model. Mechanisms such as radioactive decay, plume depletion by deposition, ingrowth of decay products, and resuspension of deposited radionuclides are included in the transport model. Alterations in operation throughout the facility's lifetime can be accounted for in the input stream. The exposure pathways considered are inhalation; external exposure from groundshine and cloud immersion; and ingestion of vegetables, meat, and milk. Dose commitments are calculated primarily on the basis of the recommendations of the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP). Only airborne releases of radioactive materials are considered in MILDOS-AREA; releases to surface water and to groundwater are not addressed in MILDOS-AREA. MILDOS-AREA is a multi-purpose code that can be used to evaluate population doses for NEPA assessments, maximum individual doses for predictive 40 CFR 190 compliance evaluations, or maximum offsite air concentrations for predictive evaluations of 10 CFR 20 compliance.

  • The MILDOS-AREA computer code was designed as a primary licensing and evaluation tool and is expected to provide basic input to critical licensing, regulatory, and policy decisions. It is used by the staff of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to perform routine radiological impact and compliance evaluations for various uranium recovery operations. The code is designed for uranium mill facilities, and should not be used for operations with different radionuclides or processes. Over the years, the code has undergone many changes. The 1981 version of MILDOS-AREA was designed for use on mainframe computers. The latest (1998) version of MILDOS-AREA has a graphic user interface, uses the Windows 3.x or Windows 95 operating systems, and runs on personal computers.