Direct indicator of impact on humans Can take likelihood of the exposure into account Enables direct comparison with other hazards
Possible communication problems Problem in estimating probability Problems of applicability in far future Calculational complexity
Dose
Well established and understood Direct indicator of impact on humans Integrates all exposure roots to humans
Does do not take likelihood of exposure into account Problems of applicability in the far future
Environment
Environmental concentration
Conceptually simple Independent of human status Measure of local environmental impact
No direct natural comparators for artificial nuclides Problems in defining a generic reference level
Biospheric flux
Relatively independent of local biosphere and human changes Measures local and global environmental impacts
Conceptually difficult Problems in defining a generic reference level No direct natural comparators for artificial nuclides Not a local safety indicator
Flux through barriers
Direct indicator of barrier performance
May not be directly related to safety Could divert attention from overall safety objectives
Time
Easy to understand Direct indicator of barrier performance
May not be directly related to safety
Waste
Radiotoxicity
Conceptually simple Indicator of time periods of concerns