> Press Releases

Further recommendations on the work to identify the source and possible health effects of the radioactive particles found in the environment around the UKAEA site at Dounreay (30th May 2002)

COMARE published recommendations for further work to be undertaken around the Dounreay site in its sixth report in 1999. The further recommendations now being published on COMARE's website were formulated following a visit by the Dounreay Working Group to the UKAEA site at Dounreay in October 2001.

Background

COMARE were asked by the Secretary of State for Scotland to consider and advise on the incidence of leukaemia and related issues around the Dounreay Nuclear establishment in 1986. COMARE published its original advice and recommendations on the possible increased risk of leukaemia in young people near the Dounreay site in its Second report in 1988. As part of the continuing investigation by COMARE, documentation was provided by Her Majesty's Industrial Pollution Inspectorate (HMIPI) on the occurrence of radioactive particles on the Dounreay foreshore and the public beach at Sandside Bay. The UKAEA informed COMARE that the particles were the result of an accidental spillage in 1965. A Working Group was appointed by COMARE to investigate this issue. The Working Group visited the Dounreay site in 1994 where other potential sources of particulate contamination were identified. These sources included the Intermediate Level Waste Shaft (ILW) which is located close to the Dounreay foreshore on the edge of the UKAEA site. A joint report on the potential health effects and possible sources of the particles was published with the Radioactive Waste Management Advisory Committee (RWMAC) in 1995. Further investigations by the Group following publication of the joint report resulted in the publication, in 1999, of COMARE's Sixth Report that reconsidered the health implications and possible source of the particles.

Current information

Monitoring of the beaches from Melvich to Thurso has been undertaken by UKAEA. Currently the monitoring is concentrated in seven areas, Melvich, Sandside, Dounreay foreshore, Cross Kirk, Brimms Nest, Scrabster and Thurso. To date, particles have only been found in two areas: the Dounreay foreshore and the beach at Sandside Bay. Particles have also been found in the off-shore areas out from the Dounreay foreshore and Sandside Bay. The off-shore particles have been identified using both diver and towed instrument surveys. Divers have also been used to survey water uprisings from the seafloor in the areas off the Dounreay foreshore.

UKAEA advised COMARE in October 2001 that the numbers of particles found to date would indicate that there was a reservoir in the offshore sediments. However, UKAEA agreed that there was a need to eliminate other possible sources such as the inactive site drains, the discharge pipe and diffuser, and the ILW shaft.

COMARE's new recommendations

Monitoring

In its most recent statement COMARE has published further recommendations for improvements in monitoring techniques that would facilitate the location and removal of potentially harmful particles from public beaches and especially Sandside Bay. However, this needs to be done in a way that allows comparison with previous monitoring methodologies. COMARE has also expressed its concerns about the notices at Sandside Bay which are intended to supply information to the general public relating to the particles and their potential health effects. Current information is not helpful, and in fact could cause confusion. COMARE recommend that all parties move to an agreed information notice that defines the health risk of using the beach.

Studies to define the particle source

COMARE has also made recommendations for further work to identify the source of off-shore particles and that this work is linked to investigations being undertaken on the ILW disposal shaft. Studies in both of these areas should be linked to give a co-ordinated approach to the experimental design. This would give better data on the movement of groundwater and aid in the confirmation or exclusion of the ILW shaft as a continuing particle source.

COMARE notes the effort expended by UKAEA on the problem of the particles and the progress made. It also recognises the difficulties faced by UKAEA in that comprehensive measurements on all of the recovered particles cannot be undertaken. Understanding the source(s) of the particles is nevertheless an important factor in achieving the UKAEA's aim to identify the Best Practicable Environmental Option (BPEO) for the Dounreay site.

The full statement on the Dounreay particles can be viewed at COMARE's web site here. Further information can be obtained from the COMARE Chairman, Professor B. A Bridges OBE by telephoning on 01273-877515

Top