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Radioactive substances are used routinely in Scotland for medical diagnosis and treatment, research, energy generation and industrial processes. However, if they are not managed properly they can potentially cause contamination of the environment and impacts on human health. A key part of our work is to ensure that radiation doses from all man-made radioactive substances in food and the environmen

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As part of our ongoing commitment to create accessible digital services, we are undergoing a phased refresh of our corporate website and wider web estate. This will aim to provide a fully accessible website for users which will be easier to navigate and understand. You can expect to see some changes in the coming months, with the first phase of our BETA service launching in December 2023. This wil

Radioactive items have been detected on Dalgety Bay since at least 1990. Many surveys have been undertaken on the beach to determine the potential numbers of items present and possible implications for public health. Management options Strategy for stakeholder engagement PDF (25 kb) DIO outline management options appraisal - final report PDF (2.57mb) Dalgety Bay appropriate person summ

Dalgety bay updates SEPA confirms Dalgety Bay remediation work is complete SEPA is satisfied that the remediation work carried out by the Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) and its contractor Balfour Beatty, alongside future monitoring plans and agreed maintenance of rock armour by Fife Council, means the public will be able to enjoy access again for the first time since 2011. SEPA has been able to work with p

As Scotland’s environment protection agency, we work every day to protect and enhance Scotland's environment, helping communities and businesses thrive within the resources of our planet. We call this One Planet Prosperity. We are working directly with businesses that we regulate at the highest level to engage them in the One Planet Prosperity challenge that Scotland needs to meet to be successful

Radioactivity in Food and the Environment (RIFE) reports Title Year RIFE 30 2025 RIFE 29 2024 RIFE 28 (View accessible version) 2023 RIFE 27 2022 RIFE 27 appendix 2022 RIFE 27 Errata 2022 RIFE 26 2021 RIFE 26 appendix 2021 RIFE 26 Errata 2021 RIFE 25 2020 RIFE 25 appendix 2020 RIFE 25 Errata 2020 RIFE 24 2019 RIFE 24 appendix 2019 RIFE 24 Errata 2019 RIFE Trends

We're in the process of moving to our Beta website and information on applying for authorisations is now also available there in a new radioactive substances section. Use the back button in your browser to return to this page. Links to our forms and guidance will remain here for a period of time to support the transition.   Notifications If you wish to notify SEPA of certain lower risk r

Continuous salinity, temperature, and chlorophyll data has been collected from in the Inner Firth of Forth at Gunnet Ledge since 1993. Chlorophyll-a is used to indicate the biomass of phytoplankton. Phytoplankton growth is stimulated by nutrients exported from the estuary into the clearer coastal waters of the Firth of Forth. Excessive phytoplankton growth may cause an undesirable disturbance to t

Scotland's water is famed worldwide. It's critical in the production and branding of some of our biggest exports, and a big draw for tourists. The water environment in Scotland is generally in good condition. However, there are environmental problems, including diffuse pollution, discharges of waste water, abstractions and historic physical alterations. The management of water plays a significant