The 10th meeting of the Dounreay Particles Advisory Group (DPAG) took place on Wednesday 30 January at SEPA's Riccarton office. The aim of the group is to provide impartial expert scientific advice on the current UKAEA research programme into particles in the Dounreay local environment. The group makes recommendations to UKAEA about ways it can improve its monitoring and research programmes for particles in local Dounreay sediments.

The main focus of the meeting was on whether or not there is a continuing source of particles to the environment at Dounreay. The tentative view of DPAG is that there is growing evidence from environmental monitoring and modelling that a continuing source of historic particles might exist. The evidence is far from definitive. However, DPAG considers that it should prioritise its immediate efforts to considering the available information on the most probable source - or sources - of particles. This is reflected in DPAG's work programme for 2002.

The group also reconsidered the beach monitoring techniques and suggested to UKAEA that DPAG advice to SEPA would be to expect an improvement in the techniques used once a new contract is awarded in May. DPAG's comments have been received positively by UKAEA.

Professor Brit Salbu from Norway gave a presentation on the international perspective on the analysis of particles. Professor Salbu is the chair of the International Atomic Energy Authority's research programme into the radiochemical, chemical and physical characterisation of radioactive particles in the environment. Her presentation made it clear that the issues relating to interpreting the Dounreay particles are not uncommon. She also demonstrated some new advanced techniques for examining particle characteristics, which may help to identify their source and the amount of time they spend in the environment.

The next meetings of DPAG will be on March 11 in Edinburgh and May 16 at Dounreay. While both meetings will be open to the public, the format of the March meeting may be changed to accommodate discussions about the large amount of technical material the group has received recently.

ENDS

Notes to editors

1. The approved minutes of the 9th meeting will appear on the website by Friday 1 February.

www.sepa.org.uk/regulation/radioactivity/dpag/dpaghome.htm

The minutes of the 10th meeting will appear after approval at the next DPAG meeting.

2. SEPA is responsible for regulating disposal of radioactive waste from nuclear sites and other premises such as industrial, hospital and research premises under the Radioactive Substances Act 1993. SEPA also regulates the keeping and use of radioactive material.

3. DPAG was convened by SEPA in May 2000. Its members are from universities, National Radiological Protection Board, health boards and fisheries science, and it is chaired by a SEPA director. The formation of the group followed recommendations made by SEPA to the Scottish Office (now the Scottish Executive) in December 1998.