Second Training Workshop on Methods for Radiological and Environmental Impact Assessment (MEREIA)

The Second Training Workshop for participants in the IAEA’s programme on Methods for Radiological and Environmental Impact Assessment (MEREIA) is part of the capacity-building and knowledge management activities under the scope of the MEREIA programme. This initiative focuses on developing young and early-career professionals while supporting IAEA Member States in building expertise in conducting Radiological Environmental Impact Assessments (REIA).
This virtual Training Workshop is being organized to provide hands-on training in conducting REIA and is the second in the series of Training Workshops under the MEREIA programme. The First Training Workshop held 13–17 May 2024, centered on a case study involving routine discharges from a nuclear power plant. This Second Training Workshop will guide participants through the steps required to assess the radiological impact to members of the public from an operating uranium ore processing facility.
The Training Workshop is structured to provide a comprehensive blend of theoretical knowledge and practical application, ensuring participants gain hands-on expertise in undertaking a REIA.
Expert-led lectures and eLearning modules form the foundation of the training to be undertaken. Delivered online by subject matter experts, these sessions introduce IAEA standards, explore the characteristics and challenges faced by industries managing naturally occurring radioactive material (NORM), and examine the main releases from NORM sites. Additionally, participants are introduced to NORMALYSA, a specialized tool developed for conducting REIA for NORM and legacy sites.
Using a uranium processing facility as a case study, participants are guided through undertaking a REIA for a test case scenario that mirrors real-world conditions. This scenario also serves as a basis for developing conceptual models.
The interactive sessions focus on implementing the developed conceptual model in NORMALYSA, performing calculations to estimate concentrations in the environment and doses to people, and analyzing the results of the assessment.
This comprehensive approach ensures that participants gain not only theoretical knowledge but also practical skills necessary to perform REIA, fostering expertise and strengthening capacity in this field.