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CERAD

The CERAD Centre for Environmental Radioactivity (CERAD CoE) was established by the Research Council of Norway to provide new scientific knowledge and tools for better protection of people and the environment from harmful effects of radiation (2013-2023).
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The CERAD CoE is developing long-term research to substantially improve the capacity to accurately assess the radiological risks associated with environmental radioactivity in combination with interacting stressors. By focusing on key factors contributing to the overall uncertainties, CERAD represents a state-of-the-art research foundation for the advancement of tools and methods needed to better assess and manage those risks. The scope includes man-made and naturally occurring radionuclides in the environment, covering those released in the past, those currently being released and those that can be potentially released in the future (i.e., accidental and operational legacies) not only from nuclear fuel cycle but also non-nuclear industries. The objectives proposed by CERAD can only be accomplished through the integration of national and internationally leading scientists to take part in the implementation of the Research Areas. 

The CERAD CoE is led by the Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU) and the Norwegian Radiation Protection Authority (NRPA), in collaboration with other institutes as the Norwegian Institute for Water Research(NIVA), Norwegian Institute of Public Health (FHI) and the Norwegian Meteorological Institute (MET).

The research areas within CERAD are organized into 8 umbrellas to prioritize the research and further stimulate cross-partner activities. The umbrella areas represent the key concern topics within CERAD, in which knowledge gaps and improper concepts are contributing significantly to the overall uncertainties in impact and risk assessment. These are:

  • UMB1: Particle sources and effects
  • UMB2: Dynamic ecosystem transfer
  • UMB3: Radiosensitivity                                                                  
  • UMB4: Combined Toxicity and Cumulative Risk                               
  • UMB5: Transgenerational effects- reproduction and epigenetics
  • UMB6: Ecosystem approach                                                           
  • UMB7: UV-/ionising radiation and dosimetry
  • UMB8: Case studies: Potential nuclear accidents and deposition in Norway
    • 8A - Western Norway Scenario
    • 8B - Arctic            

NIVA has been actively involved in the work developed by CERAD and is currently supporting a number of specific projects.

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