Environmental monitoring and assessment of radioactive substances
Why we monitor radioactive substances?
Radioactive substances are used routinely in Scotland for medical diagnosis and treatment, research, energy generation and industrial processes. Under the Environmental Authorisations (Scotland) Regulations 2018 (EASR), we regulate these activities including disposals to the environment. We are responsible for ensuring that public radiation doses as a result of authorised radioactive disposals do not exceed the public dose limit of 1mSv per year. The sievert (Sv) is a measure of radiation dose.
To do this, we collect data on the levels of radioactivity in food and the environment and on public habits that may result in exposure to radioactivity in the environment.
This page contains more details about the data we collect, how it is collected and how it is used. Our guidance and supporting documents page contain reports from habit surveys from across Scotland, the most recent RIFE reports, other monitoring and assessments we have undertaken.
What is the environmental radioactivity monitoring programme?
Our environmental radioactivity monitoring programme is an annual programme to collect data on the levels of radioactivity in food and the environment. It is currently carried out on our behalf by UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) based in Glasgow.
The programme focuses on areas where concentrations of man-made radioactivity may be found, paying special attention to areas surrounding nuclear industry sites, as well as taking samples to monitor non-nuclear industry. In addition, we undertake sampling across Scotland to determine typical background levels of radioactivity in food and the environment.
More than 1000 samples a year are analysed for a range of radionuclides.
Sample types include:
- marine foodstuffs such as fish and shellfish
- terrestrial foodstuffs such as milk and locally grown food; and
- environmental samples such as seawater, seaweed, sediment, grass, soil, air and freshwater
The results of the monitoring programme are used to undertake dose assessments to ensure public doses do not exceed the limit. The monitoring data and the results of the dose assessments are published annually in the Radioactivity in Food and the Environment (RIFE) report (see section below).
As a means of reviewing our monitoring programme and ensuring it continues to be fit for purpose we convene the Environmental Radioactivity Monitoring Task Team (ERMTT) biannually. The team contains our own experts and representatives from the Scottish Government, Food Standards Scotland, NatureScot, and UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA).
What are habit surveys
In order to undertake dose assessments, we need to collect data on public habits to gain an understanding of how members of the public may be exposed to radioactivity.
We undertake surveys around each of Scotland’s nuclear licensed sites every five years. Researchers interview local residents, food retailers, fishing managers and farmers, observe habits at particular locations, such as beaches, and take measurements of radioactivity.
The research also takes into account the following factors:
- angling, commercial fishing (netting and creeling) and mollusc collection
- production, use and destination of local produce
- types, seasonality and consumption of local wild foods
- land use and soil types
- occupancy near the site
- local food consumption rates
- any extraordinary (unusual) practices
View our Habit surveys from across Scotland.
What is the Radioactivity in Food and the Environment (RIFE) report?
We work with the Environment Agency (EA), Food Standards Agency (FSA), Food Standards Scotland (FSS), Natural Resources Wales (NRW) and the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) to produce the annual Radioactivity in Food and the Environment (RIFE) report.
We are responsible for environmental protection and regulation in Scotland. This role is performed by the EA in England, NRW in Wales, and the NIEA in Northern Ireland. FSS are responsible for food safety in Scotland while the FSA has this responsibility for the rest of the UK.
The RIFE report presents the results of the radiological monitoring programmes carried out by each organisation and the results of the public dose assessments. The report focuses on key information that demonstrates both that food remains safe and that the public's exposure to radiation is within the legal limit.
Our guidance and supporting documents page contains the most recent Radioactivity in Food and the Environment (RIFE) report.
Other monitoring and assessments
In addition to our regular monitoring programmes, we undertake ad-hoc monitoring and assessments in order to address any knowledge gaps or specific areas of concern.
Our guidance and supporting documents page contains details of other monitoring and assessments we have undertaken.