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Monitoring radioactivity

How we monitor radioactivity and regulate the nuclear industry and non-nuclear users of radioactive substances, plus information about radioactivity in food and the environment.

Radioactivity in the environment comes from a number of different sources. These include:

  • natural radiation;
  • residues from the Chernobyl accident and atmospheric weapons testing; and
  • radioactive discharges and emissions from nuclear and non-nuclear sites.

Over 3,000 organisations in England and Wales use radioactive materials. These organisations can create radioactive waste.

It’s our job to make sure these organisations use, store and dispose of these materials properly to protect people and the environment.

We’re responsible for assessing radiation doses to the public from the sites we regulate. These range from small users of radioactive substances to large nuclear and defence sites.

Who’s responsible for monitoring radioactivity?

  • Operators of nuclear sites monitor their discharges and the effects on the environment.
  • We carry out our own monitoring programme to provide an independent assessment.
  • The Health Protection Agency assesses the public’s exposure to radiation from natural background radioactivity such as radon.

We monitor radioactivity to:

  • check whether radiation exposure conforms to legal limits;
  • check that radioactivity in food and the environment from authorised releases and discharges does not affect people’s health or the environment;
  • gather long-term information on concentrations and trends so that we can identify any changes and take action if required; and to
  • assess the public’s total exposure to radiation around nuclear sites.

The National Dose Assessment Working Group (NDAWG) was established in 2002 to deal with assessment of radiation doses to the public and the environment resulting from radioactive discharges.

How can I find out about levels of radiation in my area?

Our annual Radioactivity in Food and the Environment (RIFE) report provides an in-depth assessment of radioactivity in food and the environment in the UK and the public’s exposure to radiation, mostly around nuclear sites. The Health Protection Agency carries out reviews of radiation across the UK from all sources and publishes them on its website.

You can also visit What’s in your backyard? to find out if there is any radioactive or other pollution where you live.

Further information