PC-CREAM 08®; - New Features

This new version of PC CREAM®; is known as PC-CREAM 08®;. Based solidly on its very successful predecessor, PC-CREAM 08®; has been significantly improved to include the additional functionality listed below.

Improved online Services and Support

  • Continuously updated web-based knowledge base
  • Web-based and telephone support with web-based logging
  • Download software from web
  • Account and purchase history

Improved interface

PC-CREAM®; has a much improved graphical user interface, making the running and management of assessments much easier and provides better access to results.

Add your own site and data

The database includes an increased number of default sites and site specific data such as population and agricultural production distributions. If necessary, users can add their own site and data.

New, extensive database

A key part of the development of PC-CREAM 08®; has been the implementation of an extensive database to hold all data, both inputs and results, related to the dose assessment calculation.

Greatly extended radionuclides list

A comprehensive list of radionuclides commonly considered in dose assessments has been compiled and default model data provided. The full list of radionuclides that can be considered has been greatly extended and it is now far easier for the user to include additional radionuclides from this list and their parameter values in an assessment.

Improved progeny modelling

Progeny radionuclides are modelled more comprehensively in the new system. In general the first radioactive progeny not in secular equilibrium on the timescales of interest is modelled throughout the system although some parts of the system are capable of modelling the full radioactive decay chain.

Model specific improvements

Enhanced deposition velocity measurement

The atmospheric dispersion model, PLUME, can now calculate the deposition of radioactive progeny which have a deposition velocity that is different from that of the parent. It is also possible to change the meteorological parameters describing each meteorological category and PLUME can be run for several stack heights at once.

Radioactive chain progeny now explicitly calculated in GRANIS

The model for external gamma irradiation from deposited material is also referred to as the ground gamma model. The ground gamma model, GRANIS, now calculates each progeny in the radioactive chain explicitly. It is also easier to define the materials that comprise each soil layer and these can be stored for later use.

Improved resuspended modelling

The resuspension model, RESUS, now includes the contribution to the resuspended activity concentration in air from the first day after the initial deposition and explicitly models the first radioactive progeny not in secular equilibrium.

Revised food chain model

The food chain model, FARMLAND, includes the findings of a recent review of model parameters (such as soil to plant concentration factors and equilibrium concentration ratios for animal products). It also includes a revised fruit model. The first radioactive progeny not in secular equilibrium is now modelled explicitly.

Sediment transfer now included

The Dynamic river model has been revised to include the transfer from suspended sediment to bed sediment. In addition, sets of default data describing some major European rivers are available for loading into an assessment.

Improved remobilisation

The revised marine dispersion model, DORIS, is based on the findings of the MARINA II study (EC, 2003) and increases the extent of the region modelled in the previous version of PC-CREAM®; and better represents the remobilisation process. It also allows the full decay chain to be modelled and includes the consumption of seaweed.

Easier model results selection

The dose assessment part of the system, ASSESSOR, has been updated to make it easier to select the model results that will be used in the assessment and to provide greater flexibility when defining the habits of individuals. Radionuclide and pathway breakdowns are provided for all dose estimates including marine collective doses

Operating requirements

PC-CREAM 08®; runs under Microsoft Windows XP, Windows Vista and Windows 7 operating systems.

Legacy support

In early 2010 we ended user support for PC-CREAM 98®; and PC-CREAM 97®;.