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SEPA has published the results of its monitoring for radioactivity in food and the environment for 2002. The results show that even the highest doses received by members of the Scottish public were still well within international dose limits. Also, there were no significant changes in the levels of radioactivity in food or the environment from those measured in 2001.
SEPA, the Food Standards Agency, the Environment Agency and the Environment and Heritage Service of Northern Ireland are responsible for radiological monitoring in various parts of the UK. SEPA is responsible for the radiological monitoring that is carried out in Scotland. This is the first year that all of the agencies have worked together to publish their results in a unified UK-wide report.
In Scotland, the highest doses were received by a group of consumers eating locally grown produce in the Chapelcross area (Dumfries and Galloway). Their estimated dose was 0.055 millisieverts. This dose also includes a contribution from gaseous discharges from the Chapelcross site. The statutory dose limit is 1 millisievert. (A sievert is a measure of radiation dose. A millisievert is one thousandth of a sievert.)
More than 4200 samples were taken and 21800 analyses or measurements were completed for the 2002 UK programme. These were conducted by six specialist laboratories on behalf of the agencies. The particular materials sampled are chosen for several reasons:
- they may be eaten or used in food preparation for humans
- they may be used in agriculture
- they may be a good indicator of radiation in the environment.
The primary objective of the programme is to ensure that any man-made radioactivity present in food does not compromise public safety and that exposure to radiation from the environment is within national and international limits.
SEPA has updated its webpages in response to requests for more accessible information about the monitoring programme.
Copies of the report can be viewed at <www.sepa.org.uk/publications/rife>
More detailed background information can be found at <www.sepa.org.uk/radioactivity/monitoring.htm>
Background
Most people receive nearly all of their radiation dose from natural sources (average 85%) and medical treatment (14%). The remaining 1% comes from man-made sources.
Sources of radiation to members of the public from nuclear sites are regulated. There are three sources:
- discharges to water
- discharges to air, and
- direct radiation.
SEPA regulates discharges to water and air, under the Radioactive Substances Act 1993.
The Health and Safety Executive regulates sources of direct radiation. It is also responsible for the exposure of workers to radiation (e.g. staff at nuclear power stations).
The Food Standards Agency is responsible for protecting the public from radioactivity in food.
Statutory Dose limit
A dose limit of 1 millisievert each year is embodied in UK law. This limit does not include exposure to accidental releases, naturally occurring radiation or medical exposures. It is SEPA’s duty to make sure that the public is protected to this standard.
A sievert is a measure of radiation dose. A millisievert is one thousandth of a sievert.
Critical groups
To protect the public from radiation, SEPA and other organisations use ‘critical groups’. A critical group is a group of people who are likely to receive the highest radiation dose from a site because of where they live and what they do.
For example, someone who lives near a nuclear site and eats local shellfish may be part of a critical group. In other words, those people who are most likely to receive the highest radiation dose of any member of the public.
SEPA assesses the dose received by the critical group and compares it with statutory dose limits. If the dose to the critical group is within statutory limits, it follows that the doses to other members of the public will also be within these limits.
Researching critical groups
SEPA commissions research to find out which people are in critical groups. This research is known as a habits survey and covers most, if not all, of the following factors:
- angling, commercial fishing (netting and creeling) and mollusc collection
- production, use and destination of local produce
- types, seasonality and consumption of local wild foods
- land use and soil types
- occupancy near the site
- local food consumption rates
- extraordinary practices
ENDS
Contact
Stewart Argo, public relations officer - 01224 248338, 07799 477972
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