Radiological habits surveys
About our habits surveys
Radiological habits surveys are conducted on behalf of SEPA to determine the habits of people who:
live and work in the vicinity of nuclear licensed sites or sites of interest
participate in recreational activities in the survey areas
The data collected from members of the public surveyed include:
the types of activities participated in throughout the survey area, including identifying new activities encountered in the area
recording the amount of time spent undertaking these activities
recording the type and quantity of locally produced or sourced foods consumed
The data forms part of the dose assessment calculations to determine the public’s exposure to radiation from permitted discharges from the nuclear and non-nuclear industries across the UK.
Doses are outlined annually in the Radioactivity in Food and the Environment (RIFE) Report.
The survey produces sampling recommendations based on the information collected that is then included into the annual environmental monitoring program.
Locations and timelines
Surveys take place around each of Scotland’s nuclear licensed sites and other sites of interest every five years. On the fifth year of each contract, SEPA may choose to undertake a one-off habits survey at an area or topic of interest, such as Covid-19.
The seven sites on the five-year rotation are listed below, with an additional heading for the unique reports undertaken over the years.
Some reports are not available on our website as they do not meeting current accessibility standards. To request copies of these reports, please email us at RSEnquiries@sepa.org.uk.
Some older reports are hosted on the web archive of the National Records of Scotland.
Chapelcross
The Chapelcross habits survey 2022 is not hosted on our website as the format does not meet accessibility standards. It is available on request
Dounreay
Dumfries and Galloway Coast
HMNB Clyde
Hunterston
Rosyth
The Rosyth habits survey 2022 is not hosted on our website as the format does not meet accessibility standards. It is available on request