Current COMARE Work Programme (2008)
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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.
- The Department of Health’s Radiation Protection Research Programme is reviewed every few years. COMARE maintains a role in this review process.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- COMARE will be kept up to date on studies of the possible health effects of electro-magnetic fields. Given the current public and political interest in this area, updates on the current situation will be given at appropriate meetings. An update is due to be given by HPA at the December 2008 meeting.
- 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 are expected in 2008.
- 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.
- 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 on this matter.
- COMARE has 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 subgroup has met twice with the funding bodies, with the last meeting held on 22nd April 2008. The committee has finalised its advice for the Department of Health and the statement is published on the COMARE website.
- In 2007 the Welsh Assembly Government, supported by the Scottish Executive, NHS NI and DH, requested that COMARE update their advice regarding the safety of UV sunbeds in the UK. The secretariat has set up a subcommittee to include committee members, experts and patient/client representation to address these issues. The third meeting of the subcommittee was held on 28th August 2008. The final report is expected to be completed by the end of the year.
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