Current COMARE Work Programme (2010)
Childhood Leukaemia in the vicinity of nuclear power stations
The Department of Health has requested COMARE to conduct a review of recent publications on the incidence of childhood leukaemia in the vicinity of nuclear power stations, in relation to the conclusions in COMARE’s 10th and 11th reports. COMARE has set up a subgroup of committee members and external experts to conduct this review. The fourth meeting of this subgroup was held on 13th April 2010.
Childhood Leukaemia in the vicinity of Sellafield and Dounreay
COMARE will be kept up to date on the surveillance and review of the incidence of childhood leukaemia and other cancers in the vicinity of Sellafield and of Dounreay, in accordance with recommendation 5 of the 11th report. A subgroup has been established to review the current update on this work.
Sellafield
The Sellafield Working Group (SWG) will be kept up to date on matters, relating to the contamination detected on the beaches near to Sellafield. The Secretariat will liaise with the Environment Agency and update the committee as and when further information is available. A site visit by the working group was organised on 6th October 2008. The third working group meeting was held on 23rd February 2010.
Dounreay
The Dounreay Working Group (DWG) will continue to review progress on the isolation of the Dounreay shaft, the remediation of the old diffuser and the solutions proposed for the remaining particles in the general environment.
Dalgety Bay
The appearance of radium particles at Dalgety Bay first came on the committee’s work programme back in 1990. The discovery of much smaller particles recently has seen this item reappear for further consideration. A site visit by members of the Dounreay Working Group was carried out on 13th May 2008. The committee is continuing to liaise with the MoD and SEPA on this matter. The committee will also be kept aware of other similar contaminated sites as and when issues arise.
Radon
COMARE will be kept aware of the progress of the policy on "Radon in homes". Any new epidemiological or dosimetric data will be brought to the attention of the committee so it may consider the current risk estimates from radon in the home in the light of these new data.
Electromagnetic Fields
COMARE will be kept up to date on studies of the possible health effects of electro-magnetic fields. The Secretariat will bring appropriate information before the committee, as it becomes available. Given the current public and political interest in this area, updates on the current situation will be given at appropriate meetings. The last update was given by the HPA at the December 2009 meeting.
Authorisations
COMARE has a standing commitment to advise on authorised discharges of radioactive materials as and when new or revised authorisations are produced. The Authorisation Working Group advises on draft authorisations and keeps the full committee aware of its proceedings.
Radiobiology Research
COMARE set up a subgroup to review the committee’s concerns over funding for radiation research and in particular that a focussed approach on radiotherapy has left a void in basic radiobiology research. The committee has finalised its advice for the Department of Health and the statement is published on the COMARE website. The committee continues to follow up on the interests and concerns with appropriate parties, including NCRI.
Radiation Protection Research Programme
The Department of Health’s Radiation Protection Research Programme is reviewed every few years. COMARE maintains a role in this review process. The proposed 2010-2013 programme strategy was reviewed by the committee in July 2009.
SAHSU
COMARE has a standing commitment to consider any epidemiology studies involving radiation issues reported by the Small Area Health Statistics Unit (SAHSU). No SAHSU reports on radiation issues were received in 2009.
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