Emergency response planning
In the event of an incident involving the release of radioactivity to the environment, it’s our role to assess the impacts of the incident and advise on clean-up.
You can report an incident involving radioactive material or radioactive waste by calling SEPA's 24 hour pollution hotline: 0800 80 70 60
The extent of our involvement in a radioactive incident depends on the nature and scale of the incident.
We may advise on the environmental impact and effects of the incident to relevant government departments, organisations and the public; the disposal of radioactive waste; decontamination and clean-up; and the sampling and measurement of radioactive contamination in the environment.
If appropriate, we will authorise associated disposals and we may enter monitoring data onto the Radioactive Incident Monitoring Network (RIMNET).
This network is the UK radiation monitoring and nuclear emergency response system. It was set up as part of the National Response Plan following the Chernobyl nuclear accident.
The RIMNET system has 93 gamma dose monitoring sites, designed to independently detect radioactivity resulting from any overseas accident that may affect the UK.
We are responsible for managing the Scottish part of the system, which comprises 27 monitors and five RIMNET terminals. These allow access to monitoring results, deposition modelling and input of environmental monitoring data.
- Lerwick, Shetland Isles
- Kirkwall, Orkney Isles
- Wick
- Stoer Head
- Shin
- Stornoway
- Benbecula
- Aultbea
- Applecross
- Dalcross
- Lossiemouth
- Tulloch Bridge
- Aviemore
- Dyce
- Inverbervie
- Clunie
- Tiree
- Oban
- Leuchars
- Strathallan
- Turnhouse
- Bishopton
- Machrihanish
- Prestwick
- Charterhall
- Eskdalemuir
- West Freugh
RIMNET supplies routine hourly readings and raises an alert of any abnormal increases. Following detection, it will support the on-going collection and analysis of radiological monitoring data relating to the accident and provide information concerning its effects, for distribution to the media, official agencies and the public.
You can report an incident involving radioactive material or radioactive waste by calling SEPA's 24 hour pollution hotline: 0800 80 70 60