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COMARE Statement on the
radioactive particles found in the local coastal environment resulting
from operations at the UKAEA site at Dounreay
The latest
statement from COMARE gives details of further recommendations on
monitoring for particles both on beaches and offshore. These recommendations
were formulated following the publication of the second report of
the Dounreay Particles Advisory Group (DPAG), the continuing appraisal
of the particles being found on the Sandside Bay beach where public
access is unrestricted and ongoing research.
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 Dounreay Working 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.
The Dounreay Working Group visited the UKAEA Dounreay site in October
2001 and were advised that the numbers of particles found to date
would indicate that there was a reservoir in the offshore sediments.
UKAEA also 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.
Following the visit recommendations were published on COMARE's website
in May 2002. These recommendations concentrated on monitoring and
on studies to define the 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 Ness,
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.
Monitoring of the beach at Sandside Bay in 2003 resulted in the
discovery of increased numbers of particles. In this statement COMARE
notes that the characteristics of the particles from 2003 are consistent
with those found on Sandside beach in previous years although the
overall average radioactivity concentration is lower. The increase
in particle finds is consistent with the numbers expected using
the improved monitoring techniques now in place, but other factors
may also have affected the quantity found and consistent continual
monitoring is advised. Further offshore surveys are also recommended.
The Committee also recognises that preliminary results from the
ongoing studies to identify the health risks from the particles
show that radiation doses may be less than those originally estimated
in COMARE’s Sixth report.
Further information can be obtained from Professor Alex
Elliott, Chairman of the COMARE Dounreay Working Group, by telephoning:
0141 211 2948.
The full statement on the Dounreay particles can be viewed at:
COMARE
Statement on the radioactive particles found in the local coastal
environment resulting from operations at the Dounreay facility
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