On the Radioecological Consequences of the Closure of the Nuclear Fuel Cycle

In this paper, we discuss the issues of radiation load on the environment from the processing of spent nuclear fuel of various fuel cycles and the possible advantages of using a hybrid thermonuclear reactor. The necessity of considering a wide range of realizable alternatives in the choice of nuclear fuel cycle technologies is shown. The importance of following recognized approaches to the radiation protection of humans and biota that are presented in ICRP publications is indicated. The necessity of compliance with the safety regulation requirements fixed in international documents is noted. It is emphasized that, at the dominance of economic characteristics, new environmental criteria, including carbon-free criteria, will become decisive in estimating the effectiveness of energy technologies.