What we do
SEPA works to minimise the impact on human health and the
environment from radioactive material and waste in Scotland. These
pages explain how we regulate radioactive activities and monitor
the environment according to the Radioactive Substances Act
1993.
Regulation
We regulate three types of facility:
- licensed nuclear sites and similar facilities such as power
stations, naval bases and research facilities
- non-nuclear sites such as hospitals, universities and
industry
- sites that use ‘closed’ sources (ie material stored in a
protective container), such as paper mills and combine
harvesters.
If an operator refuses to abide by the
regulations, SEPA can issue enforcement and prohibition notices or
report offences to the procurator fiscal.
Environmental monitoring
We carry out a programme of environmental monitoring, arranging
analysis of more than 1000 samples from around Scotland every year.
We also focus on areas where radioactivity may be higher due to
nuclear sites, and we require site operators to carry out
monitoring locally.
Reporting incidents
You can report an incident involving the loss, theft or release
of radioactive material or waste by calling SEPA’s national 24-hour
call centre or the pollution report line:
SEPA call centre: 01738 448415
Pollution report line: 0800 80 70 60