Latest Results on Radioactivity in Food and the Environment
Issued on 30 September 1997 - Ref 35/97

A new report published today confirms that, in Scotland, levels of radioactivity found in foodstuffs, and doses from nuclear site discharges, are well below internationally recommended limits.

The report Radioactivity in Food and the Environment 1996 is published jointly by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) and the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAFF). It shows that consumers’ exposure to radioactivity via the foodchain remains well below nationally and internationally recommended limits.

The international safety limits for exposure to radioactivity are set by the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP). The National Radiological Protection Board is responsible for advising the Government on UK national limits. The EU limit for the radiation exposure of consumers from man-made radionuclides is 1000 microsieverts per year.

SEPA and MAFF have undertaken extensive monitoring and analysis of around 5700 samples of milk, fruit, vegetables, meat, fish, shellfish, and other materials in the environment. The results show that Scottish consumers, along with those in England & Wales, can rest assured that the food they eat is safe from harmful levels of radioactivity.

It should also be noted that natural radionuclides are by far the most important source of exposure in the average diet, with only around 4% of radioactivity coming from artificial sources.

NOTES FOR EDITORS

1. The report shows that authorised discharges from any single nuclear site resulted in a maximum exposure to the Scottish public of around 3% of the internationally recommended dose limit.

2. Copies of the report Radioactivity in Food and the Environment are available from SEPA Public Affairs, Erskine House, The Castle Business Park, Stirling FK9 4TR, telephone 01786 457700, or from MAFF, Radiological Safety and Nutrition Division, London SW1P 3JR telephone 0171 238 6204.

3. Results for Scotland were previously reported in The Scottish Office report: Environmental Monitoring for Radioactivity in Scotland.

5. The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) was established under the Environment Act 1995. Its main duty is to protect the environment by controlling pollution to land, air and water in Scotland. This includes regulating the use and disposal of radioactive substances; holding the national register for the use and disposal of radioactive substances; controlling discharges of radioactive waste from nuclear installations; managing the UK Radioactive Incident Monitoring Network (RIMNET) in Scotland.

ENDS

SEPA Press Office contacts

Press Officer: Maggie Hamilton. Tel: 01786 457724
Head of Public Affairs: Monica Straughan. Tel: 01786 457723 Mobile 0421 942498

SEPA Head Office, Erskine Court, The Castle Business Park, STIRLING FK9 4TR
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© SEPA 1997