Monitoring our Environment...Page iii Monitoring our Environment - Discharges and Environmental...

Discharges and Environmental MonitoringMonitoring our Environment

Annual Report 2016

Page ii

Monitoring our Environment - Discharges and Environmental Monitoring 2016

SI Units

Quantity SI unit and abbreviation

Absorbed dose

Dose equivalent

Radioactivity

Gray (Gy)

Sievert (Sv)

Becquerel (Bq)

Multiples and submultiples of SI units

Factor Factor

1018

1015

1012

109

106

103

exa (E)

peta (P)

tera (T)

giga (G)

mega (M)

kilo (k)

Prefix and abbreviation Prefix and abbreviation

milli (m)

micro (μ)

nano (n)

pico (p)

femto (f)

atto (a)

10-3

10-6

10-9

10-12

10-15

10-18

The tonne (metric ton) has the official abbreviation ‘t’.

However, in this report ‘te’ has been used to avoid confusion with the British ton.

© Nuclear Decommissioning Authority 2017, this document contains proprietary information, permission to copy, or use such information, should be sought from the Intellectual Property Manager, Sellafield Ltd.

Front cover photograph: Calder Hall at night - in recognition of the 60th anniversary of the commissioningof Calder Hall

Page iii


Executive SummaryThis 2016 report has been produced by Sellafield Ltd and covers the Sellafield site in Cumbria. It provides detailed information on radioactive discharges and disposals, monitoring of the environment and radiological impact, and also includes information on non-radioactive discharges and disposals. The report provides a summary of the comprehensive data that are available for inspection by members of the public on the Public Registers maintained by the Environment Agency. This report is also available on the Sellafield Ltd website (https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/sellafield-ltd).

There were no instances in 2016 of non-compliance with the numerical limits of permits regulating discharges and disposals of radioactive wastes at Sellafield.

Radioactive discharges (aerial and liquid) were generally similar to those in 2015 and were well below the permitted limits.

The estimated doses in 2016 are summarised in the table below. Doses due to discharges to sea from Sellafield to adult members of the critical group who consume fish and shellfish from the local area were about 57 microSieverts (µSv). Taking into account doses due to beach occupancy and aerial pathways, the total dose to this group was about 110 µSv, similar to 2015. The most significant radionuclides contributing to this dose are Pu-alpha and Am-241 (33 µSv) - the environmental

concentrations of these radionuclides are mostly due to historic discharges.

The estimated dose in 2016 due to discharges to the atmosphere to members of the critical group who consume terrestrial foodstuffs was about 5 µSv. Further dose contributions to this group from inhalation, immersion, external radiation from beach occupancy and marine food consumption results in a dose from aerial discharges of about 10 µSv. Doses due to direct radiation from plants on site were estimated as being up to 5.4 µSv to the most exposed members of the public who live nearby. This is similar to 2015 due to the same calculation methodology being applied between years. The total dose to the terrestrial critical group (adults) was about 16 µSv. This dose is slightly larger than in 2015 (14 µSv). The most significant radionuclide contributing to dose received from the consumption of terrestrial foodstuffs is I-129 in domestic fruit (0.33 µSv). The environmental concentrations of these radionuclides are also mostly due to historic rather than 2016 discharges.

The estimated doses for the marine (110 µSv) and terrestrial critical groups (16 µSv) are much lower than the dose limit of 1000 µSv for exposure of members of the UK public to man-made controlled sources of radiation.

Critical group doses from operations at Sellafield (µSv)

Pathway 2015 2016Marine critical group (adults) seafood consumption 52 57 aerial pathways 2.2 2.0 external radiation from beach occupancy (marine) 46 49Total dose to marine critical group (adults) 100 110Terrestrial critical group (adults) inhalation 0.58 1.0 immersion 0.63 0.40 external radiation from beach occupancy (terrestrial) 0.1 2.8 terrestrial foodstuff consumption 6.0 4.9 marine foodstuff consumption 1.2 1.1 direct radiation 5.4 5.4Total dose to terrestrial critical group (adults) 14 16

https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/sellafield-ltd

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Table of Contents

Executive Summary ......................................................................................................................................................... iii

Introduction ......................................................................................................................................................................1

Operations at Sellafield .................................................................................................................................................2

Regulation of radioactive discharges and disposals .......................................................................................................2

Regulation of non-radiological discharges and disposals ...............................................................................................3

Monitoring of environmental radioactivity and dose assessment ...................................................................................3

Analytical measurements, limits of detection and rounding of data ................................................................................4

Protection of the environment .......................................................................................................................................4

Natural radioactivity ......................................................................................................................................................5

Environmental reporting by Sellafield Ltd ......................................................................................................................5

Acknowledgements ......................................................................................................................................................5

References ...................................................................................................................................................................6

Radioactive and Non-radioactive Discharges and Disposals .........................................................................................9

Radioactive liquid discharges via the pipeline..............................................................................................................10

Radioactive liquid discharges via the Factory Sewer....................................................................................................10

Radioactive aerial discharges ......................................................................................................................................10

Solid low level radioactive wastes ...............................................................................................................................11

Non-radioactive liquid and aerial discharges ...............................................................................................................11

Summary ....................................................................................................................................................................12

Radiological and Non-radiological Monitoring of the Environment .............................................................................19

Radiological monitoring of the environment .................................................................................................................20

Marine pathways ........................................................................................................................................................20

External pathways ......................................................................................................................................................21

Beach monitoring ........................................................................................................................................................21

Airborne and terrestrial pathways ...............................................................................................................................21

Direct radiation ...........................................................................................................................................................22

Non-radiological monitoring of the environment ..........................................................................................................22

Environmental impact of non-radioactive discharges...................................................................................................23

References .................................................................................................................................................................23

Radiological Impact of Operations at Sellafield ............................................................................................................35

Critical group doses ....................................................................................................................................................36

Direct radiation ...........................................................................................................................................................38

Collective doses ..........................................................................................................................................................38

Dose summary ...........................................................................................................................................................38

Radiological impact perspective ..................................................................................................................................38

References .................................................................................................................................................................39

Appendix A ......................................................................................................................................................................47

Dosimetric considerations for individual and collective doses ......................................................................................47

Critical group doses ....................................................................................................................................................48

Collective doses ..........................................................................................................................................................49

Worked example of committed effective dose calculation for an individual member of a critical group ........................50

References .................................................................................................................................................................51

Appendix B ......................................................................................................................................................................56

Supporting monitoring and dose data ..........................................................................................................................56

Appendix C ......................................................................................................................................................................65

Representative person dose calculations .....................................................................................................................66

Glossary ..........................................................................................................................................................................70

Glossary of terms and abbreviations .............................................................................................................................71


Page 1

IntroductionDischarges and Environmental MonitoringAnnual Report 2016


Operations at Sellafield1 SellafieldLtdisthecompanyresponsibleforsafely

deliveringdecommissioning,reprocessingandnuclearwastemanagementatSellafieldonbehalfoftheNuclearDecommissioningAuthority(NDA).TheCompanyalsohasanengineeringdesigncapabilitybasedatRisleyinWarringtonandanumberofsatelliteoffices.SinceApril2016SellafieldLtdhasbeenawholly-ownedsubsidieryoftheNDA.ThestrategyandfocusofSellafieldLtdistodeliveracceleratednuclearclean-upprogrammessafelyandcost-effectively.

2 SellafieldLtd(establishedinApril2007)previouslyoperatedasBritishNuclearGroupSellafieldLtd(BNGSL).BNGSLwasestablishedfollowingtherestructuringofitsparentcompanyBritishNuclearFuelsLimited(BNFL)inresponsetotheformationoftheNDA.TheNDAisthepublicbodytaskedbyHerMajesty’sGovernmentwithtakingstrategicresponsibilityforthedecommissioningofcivilpublicsectornuclearsitesintheUK.InNovember2008,NuclearManagementPartners(NMP)becametheParentBodyOrganisation(PBO)afteracompetitiveprocessbytheNDAtosecureanewPBOforSellafieldLtd.Thisarrangementendedon31March2016.SellafieldLtdholdtheNuclearSiteLicenceandEnvironmentalPermitsfortheSellafieldsiteandisregulatedbyUKindependentregulatorsincludingtheOfficeforNuclearRegulation(ONR)andtheEnvironmentAgency(EA).

3 SellafieldisthemostcomplexnuclearsiteintheUK,hometotheThermalOxideReprocessingplant(Thorp)andMagnoxReprocessingplantsandawiderangeofwastemanagementandeffluenttreatmentfacilities.Asreprocessingnearscompletion,theemphasisisshiftingtoremediation,decommissioningandclean-upofthehistoricallegacy.

4 Duringreprocessingoperations,someeffluentscontainingasmallfractionoftheradioactivityoriginallypresentintheusedfuelaredischargedtotheseaandatmosphere,ordisposedofassolidwastestotheLowLevelWasteRepository(LLWR)nearDrigg.Dischargesofradioactivitytoseahavedeclinedsignificantlysincethe1970sasaresultofconsiderableinvestmentsandimprovementsineffluenttreatmentplantsthathavebeendescribedinpreviousreportsinthisseries.

5 Since1990,anumberofplantsthatencapsulatesolidintermediate-levelradioactivewasteinstainlesssteeldrumshavebeen,andcontinuetobe,broughtonline.

6 SellafieldalsooperatestheWasteVitrificationPlant(WVP)whichconvertsbothhistoricalandcurrentarisingsofliquidhigh-levelwasteintoaformofglass.Themoltenglassisallowedtosolidifyinsidestainlesssteelcontainers,whicharethenplacedinaspeciallydesigned,self-coolingstoragefacility.

7 TheSolventTreatmentPlant(STP),whichwascommissionedin2002,treatsarisingsofsolventaswellashistoricalsolventwastescurrentlystoredatSellafield.

8 Decommissioningoflegacybuildingscontributetothesafeandefficientaccelerationofhighhazard

riskreductiononsite.DecommissioninghasbeenunderwayformanyyearsontheSellafieldsite;suchbuildingsincludetheWindscalePileChimneys,theSeparationPurificationPlantandFuelFabricationFacilities.Materialresultingfromdecommissioningpracticesisappropriatelycategorised,processedandstoredordisposedof.ThemajorityofmaterialfromdecommissioningeffortsisinthesolidphasewhichiseitherstoredonsiteortransferredtoLLWR.Anyliquidorgaseousmaterialresultingfromdecommissioningpracticesisaccommodatedwithincurrentliquidandaerialdischargepermits.

9 Magnoxreprocessingthroughputin2016washigherthanin2015(476tecomparedto428te).DecommissioningworkonolderMagnoxplantscontinuedthroughouttheyear.

10 Thorpreprocessingthroughputin2016washigherthanin2015(531tecomparedto399te).

Regulation of radioactive discharges and disposals11 Thecontrolofradioactivewastesissubjecttothe

provisionsoftheenvironmentalpermitforradioactivesubstances.Underthispermitanditssupportingrequirements,operatorsarepermittedtodischargeanddisposeofradioactivewasteonlyinaccordancewiththetermsissuedbytheEAinEnglandandWales,includingarangeofdischargelimitsandrequirements.

12 Itisthepolicyoftheseagenciestoreviewpermitsregularly.Inestablishingdischargelimitsforpermits,theytakeintoaccounttheradiationprotectionprinciplespresentedinthelatestrelevantGovernmentWhitePaper1(table1).TheseprinciplesarebasedonGovernmentpolicyandtheadviceofPublicHealthEngland(PHE)(AppendixA:inthecontextofcriticalgroupdoselimitsandconstraints-paragraphs5,6,7and8;collectivedoses-paragraphs18,19,20and21).ThosepartsoftheEuratomBasicSafetyStandardsDirective(BSS)1996relatingtodoselimits(AppendixA:paragraph8)wereincorporatedintoUKlawintheRadioactiveSubstancesBSSDirective2000,issuedbytheappropriateministerstotheEA.OtherprovisionsoftheBSSDirectivewereimplementedthroughtheIonisingRadiationRegulations1999.

13 SellafielddischargesareregulatedthroughtheEnvironmentalPermitforRadioactiveSubstances2.TheEnvironmentalPermittingRegulationswereintroducedon6April2010andsupersededtheRadioactiveSubstancesAct1993inEnglandandWales.The2010regulationswereupdatedinDecember2016.Thepermitcoversallthedischargeanddisposalroutesunderasinglepermit.AdditionalrequirementsarespecifiedbytheEAinasupplementarydocument,the‘CompilationofEnvironmentAgencyRequirements,ApprovalsandSpecifications’(CEAR).

14 Aswellasbeingsubjecttodischargelimits,alldischargesofradioactivityaresubjecttotherequirementtouseBestAvailableTechnique(BAT)tolimittheamountofradioactivitydischarged.ToenabletheEAtomonitortheapplicationofBAT,QuarterlyNotificationLevels(QNLs)applyat


Page 3

Sellafieldtodischargesofcertainradionuclides.ExceedingaQNLrequirestheoperatortosubmitawrittenjustificationoftheBATusedtominimisedischarges.

15 TheFoodStandardsAgency(FSA),whichreportstohealthministers,wasformedon1April2000.Itsresponsibilitiesincludethefoodsafetyimplicationsofdischargesofradioactivewaste,insupportofwhichitundertakesasubstantialradiologicalsurveillanceprogrammebothformarineandterrestrialsamples.Ithastakenontherole,formerlyexercisedbytheMinistryofAgriculture,FisheriesandFoods(MAFF),asstatutoryconsulteetotheEAinmattersrelatingtoradioactivedischargeauthorisations.TheONRhasasimilarroleasstatutoryconsulteebecauseitregulatestheaccumulationofradioactivewasteonlicensedsitesandtheexposureofthegeneralpublictodirectradiationfromthosesites.

16 ThenuclearregulatorsemployedbytheEAregularlypayinspectionvisitstonuclearsitestocriticallyreviewoperationsagainstradiologicalprotectionstandardsandtheapplicationofBAT.Thustheauthorisationprocessisoneofcontinualreview(paragraph12).Thisprocessnotonlyreviewsoperations,effluentcontrolandtreatmentarrangements,on-sitesamplingandanalyticalmethods,butalsotheresultsofenvironmentalmonitoring,habitssurveysandadvancesinthemethodologyforassessingradiologicalimpacts.

17 Thereforethepermitandinspectionprocessembracesimportantaspectsofradiationprotectionby:

• controlling,monitoringandrecordingdischargestotheenvironmentinaccordancewithBAT;

• monitoringoftheenvironmenttoestablishresultantradionuclideconcentrations;

• carryingoutappropriateresearch,investigationsandassessmentstodeterminepathwaysforthetransportofradioactivitythroughtheenvironment;

• assessingradiationdosestothepublic;and,

• predictiveassessmentofradiationdosestothepublicarisingfromfuturedischargestotheenvironment.

18 TheCompanyisinvolvedinalltheseactivitieswithrespecttodischargesfromitssite.Underthetermsoftheenvironmentalpermits,thereisastatutoryobligationtocarryoutdefinedmonitoringprogrammes,bothfordischargesandforenvironmentalradioactivity.Inaddition,theONRrequirestheassessmentofdosestomembersofthepublicfromdirectradiation.

19 Agenciesregulatingsiteswhichdischargeradioactivematerialalsotakeintoaccountotherinternationalandnationalcommitmentsandpolicies,suchastheOSPARConvention’sNorth-EastAtlanticEnvironmentStrategy3andtheUKRadioactiveDischargesStrategy .ThesearealsoconsideredbySellafieldLtdwhenmakingdecisionsrelatingtodevelopmentofSellafield’sforwardlookingplanandeffluentmanagementatsite.

Regulation of non-radiological discharges and disposals20 Theregulationofnon-radioactivedischargesand

disposalsistheresponsibilityoftheEAandLocalAuthoritieswhoregulatedischargesundertheEnvironmentalPermitting(EnglandandWales)Regulations20162.In2007theEPRregulationscombinedthePollutionPreventionandControl(PPC)andWasteManagementLicensing(WML)regulations.Theirscopehassincebeenwidenedtoincludethedischargestocontrolledwatersofsewageandtradeeffluent.

21 SellafieldLtd’soperationsfallundertheseregulationsintermsofoperatingListedActivities,includingLargeCombustionPlant;WasteOperations(includingexemptionsandrecoveryoperations)andWaterDischargeActivities.SellafieldLtdalsoholdsaGreenhouseGasPermit,undertheGreenhouseGasEmissionsTradingSchemeRegulations2010.

22 Disposalsofnon-radioactivewastesareregulatedthroughEPA1990andtheHazardousWasteRegulations2005.Wherewastesaretransferredtoanotherorganisationfortreatmentordisposal,thereisalegalDutyofCareonproducers,carriersanddisposerstoensurethatwasteisonlydisposedofunderthetermsofanenvironmentalpermit.Wherenon-hazardousandinertwasteistransferred,itisaccompaniedbyatransfernotewhichincludesafullwrittendescriptionofthewaste.WherehazardouswasteistransferredinaccordancewiththeHazardousWasteRegulations2005,itisaccompaniedbyaconsignmentnote.LandfilldisposalsaresubjecttoLandfillRegulationswhichimplementtherequirementsoftheLandfillDirectiveandplaceadditionalrequirementsonbothlandfillsiteoperatorsandwasteconsignors.

Monitoring of environmental radioactivity and dose assessment23 ThestructureoftheStatutoryEnvironmental

MonitoringProgramme(SEMP)reflectstheemphasisplacedonassessingradiationdosestothepublicintheareaslocaltoSellafieldLtd’ssite.Theessentialconsiderationsareto:

• takeaccountofthemostimportantpathwaysbywhichradiationexposureofthepublicmayoccur;

• conductappropriatesamplingandanalysistodetermineradionuclideconcentrationsorradiationlevelsrelevanttothosepathways;and,

• combinethemonitoringresultswithdataonfoodstuffconsumptionandotherhabits,andwithdataonthebiokineticbehaviourofradionuclides,toyieldestimatesofradiationdosetothepublic.

24 Itshouldbenotedthatthesedoseestimates,beingbasedonenvironmentalconcentrations,willincludecontributionsfromradionuclidesdischargedinearlieryears.TheywillthereforedifferfromthosedoseestimatesintechnicalsubmissionstoRadioactiveSubstancesRegulationsenvironmentalpermitreviewswhichrelatetoprojecteddosesatexpectedfuturelevelsofdischargeandatproposeddischargelimits.


25 Adescriptionoftheconceptofcriticalgroupdosesandcollectivedoses,referredtohereandelsewherewithinthisreport,isgiveninAppendixAalongwithdoseperunitintaketablesandmanSvperBqdischargedtables.RepresentativepersondosecalculationsaregiveninAppendixC.

26 DataidentifyingcriticalgroupsandtheirhabitsbypathwayhavebeenprovidedbytheFSA,EAandtheCentreforEnvironment,FisheriesandAquacultureScience(Cefas),ortheirpredecessors,basedonpublishedsurveywork5,6,7.Site-specifichabitsdatausedindoseassessmentsmayrelatetosingleyearsortofive-yearaveragesasappropriate.Generalisedfoodconsumptionratesforuseinradiologicaldoseassessments(particularlyforterrestrialpathways)arereviewedbyPHEwithcurrentguidelinesissuedin20038.Whereappropriate,suchgeneralisedadvicemaybesupplementedbyotherPHEadvice9,orbyinformationfromlocalhabitssurveys.

27 Inassessingdoses,theCompanytakesaccountofresearchstudiescarriedoutbothnationallyandinternationally,andalsosponsorsenvironmentalresearchfocusingspecificallyonthebehaviourofradionuclidesreleasedfromtheSellafieldsite.Inaddition,throughoutthisreporttheguidanceofPHE10,theNationalDoseAssessmentWorkingGroup11(NDAWG)andthemostrecentdosecoefficientsintheInternationalCommissionforRadiologicalProtection(ICRP)Publication11912 areadoptedwhereavailableandappropriate.Forthespecificcalculationofthedosefromkrypton-85,wherePHEdoesnotprovideadvice,acloudimmersiondoseiscalculatedfromtherecommendationsoftheICRP13.Ingeneral,defaultvaluesrecommendedbytheICRPforeachradionuclideareassumedforthepurposeofdosecalculationsunlessspecificstudiesindicatethatanalternativeisappropriateasdiscussedinAppendixA.

28 Inaccordancewithregulatoryguidance14,radiationdoseratesinair(‘airkerma’)aregenerallymeasuredinprimaryunitsofµGyh-1.Inordertoexpressthisasaneffectivedoserate,µSvh-1,aconversionfactorof1.07µSvperµGyisappropriateinmostcases14.Thisreflectsthedifferingenergydepositionofionisingradiationindifferingmedia:inthiscaseairandtissue.ByexpressingtheradiationdoserateinµSvh-1andmakingallowanceforbackgrounddoserates5,6,10,15adirectestimateofthedosetomancanbeobtained.

29 IndependentenvironmentalmonitoringprogrammesanddoseassessmentsintheareasbothlocaltoSellafieldLtd’ssiteandfurtherafieldarecarriedoutandreportedbygovernmentagenciesandothergroups5,6,16-19.

30 Collectivedoseshavebeencalculated,usinga500yearintegrationperiod(AppendixA,paragraph20),basedonthemostrecentEuropeanUnion(EU)methodology20,21.

Analytical measurements, limits of detection and rounding of data31 Allmeasurementsofradioactivedischarges,

concentrationsofradionuclidesintheenvironmentandradiationdoseratesaresubject,aswithanyothertypeofmeasurement,touncertaintiesarising

fromthemeasurementprocessitself.Thesemaybecomeimportantwhenthequantitiesinvolvedareverysmallcomparedwiththemeasurementuncertainty,andtheresultisthenquotedasa‘limitofdetection’(i.e.witha‘<’sign).Thisvalueischosentogiveahighdegreeofconfidencethattheactualresultislessthanthatvalue.

32 ResultsfromtheCompany’senvironmentalmonitoringprogrammesarereportedhereasthearithmeticmeansofmeasurementstakenthroughouttheyear.Theconcentrationsofmanyradionuclidesintheenvironmentarenowsufficientlylowthatmostmeasurementsarereportedaslimitofdetectionvalues,asexplainedabove.Theycontinuetobeincludedinthemonitoringandanalysisprogrammesforreassurancethatnewpathwaysinvolving,forexample,remobilisedhistoricalmaterials,havenotarisen.Dosecalculationseitherconservativelyusesuch‘limitofdetection’values,orusemorerealisticestimatesofconcentrationsderivedusingenvironmentalmodels.Forexample,modellingtechniqueshavebeenappliedtoderivethedosesreceivedbymembersofthecriticalgroupfromtheintakeofruthenium-106infoodstuffs(AppendixB,tableB10)ratherthanuselimitofdetectionvalues.

33 Forclarityofpresentation(andaftercalculationshavebeencompleted),discharges,concentrationanddoseratedataarenormallyroundedtotwosignificantfigures,orjustonewherethenumbersareverysmall.Dashesareshownintablestoindicatewheredatahavenotbeencollected.

34 Itshouldalsobenotedthatmeasurementsof‘totalalpha’and‘totalbeta’activitydonotnecessarilyequatetothesumofindividuallymeasuredradionuclides.Thisisbecauseofdifferingcountingefficienciesandthepresenceofnaturallyoccurringradionuclides.

Protection of the environment 35 Inits1990Recommendations22,theICRPconsidered

that‘thestandardofenvironmentalcontrolneededtoprotectmantothedegreepresentlythoughtdesirablewillensurethatotherspeciesarenotputatrisk.’Thisviewisdefensibleinmostsituations,particularlywherecriticalgroupsareexposedintheareasofhighestenvironmentalconcentrations,closetothepointofdischarge,throughavarietyofpathways.However,ICRPacknowledgesthattheprotectionoftheenvironmentneedstobeconsideredinthewidersense,andhasworkunderwaywhichisaddressingthismatter.TheOSPARNorth-EastAtlanticEnvironmentStrategy3incorporatestheguidingthemeofanEcosystemApproachandincludesarequirementthateffectiveactionistobetakenwhentherearereasonablegroundsforconcernthatradioactivesubstancesintroducedintothemarineenvironmentmayharmlivingresourcesandmarineecosystems.SellafieldLtdiscontributingtoanumberofinitiativesintendedtodevelopcriteriafortheprotectionoftheenvironment.Inaddition,SellafieldLtdiscarryingoutassessmentsofexposureagainsttheguidelinesgiveninnationalandinternationalpublications23-26andonthebasisofworktodatethereisnoreasontobelievethatradioactivedischargesfromSellafieldLtdareharmingtheenvironment.


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Natural radioactivity

36 Toputintocontextthedatapresentedinthisreport,itisimportanttorecognisethatnaturalradioactivityisthedominantsourceofradiationexposuretothepopulationasawhole,includingindividualslivingclosetonuclearestablishments.Inaddition,thewidespreadradioactivefalloutfromthetestingofnuclearweaponsandfromtheChernobyldisastermakesmallcontributionstooveralldoses.ThesubjecthasbeenreviewedcomprehensivelybyPHE10,15andothers27.

37 IndividualdosesfromnaturalradioactivityintheUKrangebroadlyfrom1000µSvto100,000µSvperyear15.Theupperendoftherangestemsfromhomeswithparticularlyhighindoorlevelsofradonanditsdecayproducts.Doselimitssetfortheindustrydonotapplytonaturalbackgroundradiation,suchasthatfromradon.Nevertheless,itmaybenotedforcomparativepurposesonlythattheseupperfiguressubstantiallyexceedthedoselimitstothepublic(andindeedtheworkforce)applicabletotheoperationofnuclearestablishments(seeparagraph12andAppendixA,paragraph8,andtable1).PHErecommendsthatmeasuresbetakentoreducelevelsofradoninhomesiftheaverageannualindooractivityconcentrationsexceed200Bqm-3andsuggeststhataradon-222concentrationof20Bqm-3 correspondstoanannualdoseof1200µSvfromtheshort-liveddecayproductsofthegas15.

38 ThemeasurementsinthisreportrelatetoenvironmentalradioactivitythatismainlyattributabletodischargesfromtheSellafieldsite.However,naturalradioactivitymakesanappreciablecontributiontothereportedvaluesinsomeinstances.Whereitispracticabletodoso,theappropriatecorrectionismadeandnoted.Thus,gammadoseratesquotedinthisreportaretotaldoseratesincludingnaturalterrestrialbackgroundandcosmicraycontributions.Fordoseassessmentpurposes,thenaturalcontributionsarededucted.

39 Acomparisonofthemostrecentlyreviewed(2010)annuallyaverageddosestoindividualsintheUKpopulationfromallsourcesofradioactivityispresentedintable2andfigure128.Typically,naturalbackgroundaccountsforsome84%ofthetotaldoseandmedicalusesofradiationforafurther16%.Onthisbasis,theannualaveragedoseisaround2700µSv,ofwhich2300µSvisderivedfromnaturalsources(mainlycosmicrays,rocksandsoils,radongasandfoodstuffs-seetable2),440µSvfrommedicalexposures,0.4µSvfromoccupationalexposure,5µSvfromnuclearweaponsfalloutand0.19µSvfromdischargesanddisposals,includingthosefromthenuclearindustry28.Inareasofhighernaturalbackgroundradiation(e.g.Cornwall),theaveragedosemayexceed7000µSvperyear15.

Environmental reporting by Sellafield Ltd40 This2016reporthasbeenproducedbySellafield

LtdandcoverstheSellafieldLtdsiteinCumbria.Itprovidesdetailedinformationonradioactivedischargesanddisposals,monitoringoftheenvironmentandradiologicalimpact,andalsoincludesinformationonnon-radioactivedischargesanddisposals.Itmaybenotedthatthereportprovidesasummaryofthecomprehensivedata

thatareavailableforinspectionbymembersofthepubliconthePublicRegistersmaintainedbytheEA.ThisreportisalsoavailableontheSellafieldLtdwebsite(https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/sellafield-ltd-environmental-and-safety-reports#discharges-and-environmental-monitoring-annual-report/).

41 Whereverpracticable,thisreportcontinuestopresentannualdischargeanddisposaldataoverfiveyearsforallradionuclidesspecifiedintheenvironmentalpermitforradioactivesubstances;theresultsofenvironmentalmonitoringforthereportyear;informationontrends;andradiologicalimpactintermsofcriticalgroupandcollectivedoses.Anynon-compliancewithnumericallimitsisreported.

42 Fornon-radioactivedischarges,itwouldbeimpracticabletoreportthedischargesofallchemicalspeciesandperformanceagainsteveryconditioninallpermitsandconsents,evenmoresoforafive-yearperiod(manyconsentconditionsrelatetoconcentrationsinindividualsamples).Accordingly,dischargesanddisposalsarenormallyreportedforjusttheyearofthereportandotherquantitativeconditions,suchastemperature,pHandvolume,areonlyreportedwherenon-complianceshaveoccurred.

43 Allcurrentpermitsandconsents,aswellaswastedisposalandwastemanagementlicences,areavailableforinspectiononthePublicRegistersreferredtoinparagraph40.

AcknowledgementsThisreportwasprepared,designedandproducedbySellafieldLtd’sEnvironmentalMonitoringandAssessmentsGroupandSellafieldLtd’sGraphicsDepartment.ThecontributionsofstaffatSellafieldLtdwhocollectedtheenvironmentalsamplesandmeasuredenvironmentaldoseratesareacknowledged.CavendishNuclearLaboratoryatWestlakesSciencePark,Cumbria,analysedtheSellafieldsamples.

Membersofthepublicwhoco-operatedwiththestaffcollectingsamplesandmakingmeasurementsareespeciallythanked.

https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/sellafield-ltd-environmental-and-safety-reports#discharges-and-environmentalmonitoring-annual-report/


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13 InternationalCommissiononRadiologicalProtection(1979,1980).Limits for intakes of radionuclides by workers.ICRPPublication30,Parts1and2.Ann.ICRP2(3/4)and4(3/4).

14 HerMajesty’sInspectorateofPollution(1995).Routine measurement of gamma ray kerma rate in the environment. Technical Guidance Note (Monitoring) M5.HMSO,London.

15 WatsonSJ,JonesAL,OatwayWBandHughesJS(2005).Ionising radiation exposure of the UK population: 2005 Review.HealthProtectionAgencyReportHPA-RPD-001,HMSO,London.

16 McKayWAandStephensBA(1990).A survey of fish and shellfish radioactivity levels in Cumbrian near-shore waters, 1989.AEA-EE-0041,Harwell.

17 McKayWAandWalkerMI(1990).Plutonium and americium behaviour in Cumbrian near-shore waters. J.Environ.Radioactivity12:49-77.

18 WalkerMIandMcKayWA(1991).Radionuclide distributions in seawater around the Sellafield pipeline.Est.Coast.ShelfSci.32:385-393.

19 IsleofManGovernmentLaboratory(2011).Radioactivity monitoring on the Isle of Man 2010.

20 SmithJ,OatwayW,BrownIandSherwoodJ(2009).PC-CREAM 08 user guide.RPD-EA-9-2009.HealthProtectionAgency.

21 SmithGandSimmondsJR(2009).The methodology for assessing the radiological consequences of routine releases of radionuclides to the environment used in PC-CREAM 08.HPA-RPD-058.HealthProtectionAgency.

22 InternationalCommissiononRadiologicalProtection(1991).The 1990 recommendations of the ICRP. ICRPPublication60.Ann.ICRP21(1-3).

23 CopplestoneD,BielbyS,JonesSR,PattonD,DanielPandGizeI(2001).Impact assessment of ionising radiation on wildlife.R&DPublication128.EnvironmentAgency.

24 BrownJ,AlfonsoB,AvilaR,BeresfordNA,CopplestoneD,ProehlGandUlanovskyA(2008).The ERICA tool.JournalofEnvironmentalRadioactivity99(9):1371-1383.

25 InternationalAtomicEnergyAgency(1999).Protection of the environment from the effects of ionizing radiation. A report for discussion.IAEA-TECDOC-1091.

26 InternationalCommissiononRadiologicalProtection(2008).Environmental Protection - the concept and use of reference animals and plants.ICRPPublication108.Ann.ICRP38(4-6).

27 SaundersP(1990).Radiation and You.Banson.

28 Oatway,WB,Jones,AL,Holmes,S,Watson,SandCabianca,T(2016).Ionising radiation exposure of the UK population: 2010 review.PublicHealthEnglandReportPHE-CRCE-026,CrownCopyright.


Page 7

Table 1. Summary of radiation protection principles in the Government’s review of radioactive waste management policy (1995)1

Annual dose1000 μSv

500 μSv

300 μSv

10 μSv

Applicability

Limits the overall exposure to the general public from man-made controlled sources of radiation (excluding medical uses), including the effects of past and current discharges and summing across all relevant exposure pathways.

A ‘site constraint’ to limit the aggregate exposure from a number of sources with contiguous boundaries at a single location.

A ‘dose constraint’ used as the principal criterion in determining applications for discharge authorisations from new facilities. It applies to the sum of all relevant exposures resulting from the operation of a single new source only.

Threshold for optimisation below which the regulators will not seek further reduction in public exposures, provided they are satisfied that ‘Best Available Technique’ is being applied to safeguard the public.

CommentsThe previous flexibility to average exposure over more than one year is no longer considered necessary, and this limit is now a cap on annual exposure.

Applies irrespective of whether different sources on the site are owned or operated by the same or different organisations.

Existing facilities may seek a higher dose constraint in certain circumstances. In most cases this should not be necessary and, in any case, the dose limit and the ALARA principle continue to apply.

The introduction of this concept is consistent with the current practice of the Health and Safety Executive.

Table 2. Summary of doses to the UK population from ubiquitous radiation in the environment28

Source

Radon and thoron

Intake of natural radionuclides (excluding radon)

Terrestrial gamma radiation

Cosmic radiation

Weapons fallout

Other anthropogenic radioactivity in the environment*

Total

Per caput dose (μSv)

Average

*Includes exposure to radionuclides routinely discharged or accidentally released into the environment

Reproduced (with minor presentational changes) by kind permission of the PHE.

1300

270

350

330

5

0.8

2300


Figure 1. Sources of annual average radiation dose to the UK population28

13%Terrestrial gamma

radiation

16%Medical

48%Radon and thoron

12%Cosmic radiation

11%Intakes of

radionuclides excluding radonPer caput dose to the

UK population in 2010 2.7 mSv

0.2%Weapons fallout

0.02%Occupational

0.01%Discharges

Reproduced by kind permission of the PHE.


Radioactive andNon-radioactive Discharges and DisposalsAnnual Report 2016


Radioactive liquid discharges via the pipeline 1 Radioactiveliquideffluentsarisefromfuel

reprocessingandstorageoperations,on-sitedecommissioningoperations,andSellafieldLtdandUnitedKingdomAtomicEnergyAuthoritylaboratories.Liquorsfromthereprocessingplantsthatcontainthehighestlevelsofactivityarerouteddirectlytostorage,pendingincorporationintosolidglassformintheWasteVitrificationPlant;theyarenotthereforedischargedfromthesite.

2 Wherepracticable,themediumactivewastestreamsfromreprocessingareroutedviatheMediumActiveEvaporator,ortheSaltEvaporator,tointerimdecaystoragependingtreatmentintheEnhancedActinideRemovalPlant(EARP)priortodischarge.Wherethisisnotpossible,theeffluentsarerouteddirectlytoEARPorotherplantsfortreatmentpriortodischarge.

3 Theremaininglow-levelliquideffluentsaredischargedtosea,aftermonitoring,viatheSellafieldpipeline.Themainsourcesofsucheffluentsare:

• StoragepondwaterfromtheoldMagnoxdecanningplantsandtheFuelHandlingPlant(FHP).ThiswateristreatedintheSiteIon-ExchangeEffluentPlant(SIXEP)toremoveradioactivecontaminants,principallycaesium-137andstrontium-90;

• StoragepondwaterfromThorp;

• EARPbulkdischarges,consistingoftreatedMagnoxeffluentsandsomeeffluentsfromThorpand‘EARPConcentrate’discharges,consistingoftreatedbatchesofeffluentfrominterimstorageandotherconcentrates;

• Thorpdissolveroff-gasscrubberliquorsfollowingtreatmenttoremovecarbon-14assolidwaste;

• RemainingprocessliquorsareroutedtotheSegregatedEffluentTreatmentPlant(SETP)whereeffluentisadjustedforpHandheldforconfirmationofitscompositionpriortodischarge.Threedischargetanksareinoperation,permittingflexibleeffluentmanagementandtheextendedretentionofeffluentifrequired;and,

• Minorwastestreams,suchassurfacedrainagewaterandlaundryeffluent.

4 TheliquiddischargepermitincludesSiteLimitsforliquideffluentswithrolling12monthlimitsandQuarterlyNotificationLevelsfor‘totalalpha’and‘totalbeta’activityaswellasforindividualradionuclides.Inaddition,thepermithaslimitsonindividualplants.Forthisreport,onlyperformanceagainsttheSiteLimitsisconsidered.Tocomplywiththepermit,samplesfromeachwastestreamareanalysedeitherdaily(ThorpReceiptandStorage,SIXEP,laundry,surfacedrainagewater)orpriortodischarge(SETP,EARPBulksandConcentrates,Thorpcarbon-14removalfacility)for‘totalalpha’and‘totalbeta’.Moredetailedanalysesforawiderangeofradionuclides,includingallthoselistedinthescheduletothepermit,arecarriedoutonmonthlyorquarterlybulksofdailysamples.

5 Dataondischargesoverthelastfiveyearsaregivenintable1andprovidesabasisforcomparisonwithcurrentpermittedlimits.Alldischargesduring2016

werewithinthoselimits.Thedischargesofactinides(andhenceof‘totalalpha’)in2016wereslightlygreaterthan2015buthaveremainedbelow0.25TBqsince2005.

6 Trendsinliquideffluentdischargesbetween1990and2016fromtheSellafieldpipelineforradionuclidesthatcontributetothelargestproportionsofthemarinecriticalgroupdoseareillustratedinfigures1and2.MaximumannualdischargesofPu-alphaandAm-241occurredin1973(65TBq)and1974(120TBq)respectively.The2016annualdischargesareordersofmagnitudelowerthanpeakdischargerates,Pu-alphabeing0.28%andAm-241being0.025%ofpeakdischargerates.Indeed,eveninmorerecentyears,the2016Pu-alphaannualdischargerateisapproximately8timeslowerandAm-24130timeslowerthanthedischargeratein1993(table1,figures1and2).

Radioactive liquid discharges via the Factory Sewer7 TheFactorySewerdischargesintotheconfluence

oftheRiversCalderandEhen.TheprimarysourceoftheeffluentistreatedsewageandsurfacewaterdrainagefromareasoftheSellafieldsitetothenorthoftheRiverCalder.ThiswatermaycontaintraceamountsofradioactivityandthereforedischargesareincludedintheEnvironmentalPermitforRadioactiveSubstancesfortheSellafieldsite.Totalquantitiesofradioactivitydischargedoverthelastfiveyearsandcurrentpermittedlimitsareshownintable2.

8 During2016,theFactorySewerbeta-emittingliquiddischargespeakedat>99%ofitsplantlimitbutdidnotexceedthelimit.Theincreaseindischargelevelswasarisingfromgroundwaterwhichcontainedlevelsofhistoriccontaminationenteringthegrounddrainagesystem.Elevatedgroundwaterlevels,duetohighwinterrainfall,enabledthegroundwatertoenterthesite’ssurfacewaterdrains.

9 SellafieldLtdappliedforavariationtothePermitwhichtheEAgrantedon1December2016.ThisvariationincreasedtheFactorySewerTotalBetalimitfrom6.1to60GBq.However,theoverallsitelimitwhichincludesthemainsealineswasalsoreducedfrom200,000GBqto180,000GBqforbeta-emittingradionuclides.

10 InMarch2015theCalderInterceptorSewerwasincludedintheSitePermit.Monitoringofthisdischargeroutewasperformedthroughout2016withnoradioactivedischargesbeingdetectedduringthistime.

Radioactive aerial discharges11 Aerialeffluentsaredischargedfromanumberof

stacks(chimneys)ontheSellafieldsite.Theymainlyconsistofventilationairfromtheprocessplants.Theirradioactiveconstituentscompriseofnoblegases(e.g.krypton),othergasesandvapours(e.g.hydrogen,watervapour,iodineandcarbondioxide)andsuspendedparticulates.Mostreleasepointsaremonitoredcontinuouslyandfittedwithappropriateabatementequipment,suchashighefficiencyparticulateairfiltersorscrubbers.


12 TheaerialdischargepermithasannualSiteLimitsandindividualStackLimits.Theindividualstackdischargesaresummedtoproducethesitedischarge.Inthisreport,onlyperformanceagainsttheSiteLimitsispresented(seetable3).

13 DischargesofradioactivitytotheatmospherealsotakeplacefromOpenFuelStoragePondsandotherapprovedoutlets(OFSPsandOOs)(previouslyMOOs,“MiscellaneousandOtherOutlets”).Thesearelargelyassociatedwiththere-suspensionofradioactivityfromopenfuelstoragepondsandotherapprovedplaces.Asinpreviousyears,releasesin2016fromOFSPsandOOswerecalculatedbyamethodologyagreedwiththeEAusingdataonactivityconcentrationsinairatthesiteperimeter.Thesedataareincludedinthetotalalphaandtotalbetadischargesdetailedintable3.

14 Dischargesfortheyears2012to2016aresummarisedintable3.Thedischargesofkrypton-85,iodine-129,tritiumandcarbon-14generallyreflectthereprocessingthroughput(Introduction:paragraphs9and10).Mostoftheremainingradionuclidesareassociatedwithparticulatematerialandtheirannualdischargesarenotdirectlyrelatedtoannualreprocessingrates.

15 Figure3aandbshowstheannualaerialdischargetrendsforcarbon-14andiodine-129since2000.Thesetrendswillbeusedasabaselinerecordforfuturedischargesduringthepost-reprocessingphase(beyond2020)oftheSellafieldsite.

Solid low level radioactive wastes16 Anumberofinter-sitetransferauthorisationscover

thetransferofradioactivewastebetweenSellafieldandtheLLWR.Detailsofthesewastedisposalsaredescribedbelow.

17 SolidlowlevelradioactivewastearisesontheSellafieldsitefromprocessoperationsanddecommissioning.Arisingsofprocesswasteshavebeenreducedinrecentyearstoafairlyconstantlevelsothatfluctuationsintotalarisingsnowmainlyreflectdecommissioningoperations.ThewastesaresenttotheLLWRunderthetermsoftheEnvironmentalPermit,whichalsocoversuseoftheWasteMonitoringandCompaction(WAMAC)facilityatSellafield.ThisfacilityreducesthevolumeofwastebeingsentfordisposalattheLLWR.ItalsooffersacompactionservicetoothergeneratorsoflowlevelradioactivewasteacrosstheUK.Therefore,theEnvironmentalPermit(andLimits)alsoincludesallowancesforthetransferofnon-SellafieldLtdwastefromWAMACtotheLLWR.TheSellafieldsiteseekstominimisetheamountofwastedisposedtoLLWRbyapplyingthewastemanagementhierarchyandbyseekingtoutiliseotherresources.In2016,3%ofsiteLLW(4%in2015)wasdisposedoftoLLWR,althoughtherewasa42%increaseinthetotalofsitegenerationofLLW.Theremaining97%wasreused/recycledordisposedoftootherfacilities,includingon-sitedisposaltotheCalderLandfillExtensionSegregatedArea(CLESA).Thelowlevelradioactivewasteandnon-radioactivewastearisingsfromSellafieldfor2012-2016arepresentedintable4.

18 HistoricallycontaminatedsoilarisingatSellafieldfromconstructionandexcavationhasbeendisposedofatpermittedlandfillsites.Onlyoneofthesesites,CLESA,isnowpermitted.Thepreviouslandfillsitesarenowinclosureandaftercarestatus.CLESAreceived8,200m3in2016.ThesedisposalsareincludedintheSite’sEnvironmentalPermit,whichincludesanactivitylimitof37kBqkg-1(dryweight)fortotalalphaandtotalbeta,abovewhichsoilhastobedisposedofattheLLWRaslowlevelradioactivewaste.

Non-radioactive liquid and aerial discharges19 Non-radioactiveliquideffluentdischargesbetween

2012and2016aresummarisedintable5andincludealldischargesforwhichannualmasslimitsarespecified.Aerialdischargesbetween2012and2016aresummarisedintable6and7.

20 Therewasonepermitbreachin2016undertheEnvironmentalPermitfortheSellafieldPPCinstallation.On24thNovember2016thetotalsuspendedsolidsreleasedfromtheSewageTreatmentWorkswas4270mgl-1againstalimitof45mgl-1.Typicaltotalsuspendedsolidsvalueswerelessthan20mgl-1.Toavoidrepetitionofthiseventin2016,measuresweretakentooptimisethesamplingprocedureaswellastoimprovethecapabilitybytrainingseveralsamplers.

Disposals made under the terms of Waste Disposal or Waste Management Licences

21 RadioactivewasteswerehistoricallydisposedtotheLLWR,nowmanagedbyLLWRLtd.ItshouldbenotedthatradioactivehazardouswasteisalsoincludedintheLLWRdisposalfigures.Anumberoflandfilldisposalfacilitiesweredevelopedonsite,toprovidealternativedisposalroutestotheLLWR.ThesewereoperatedunderRSAauthorisationsandWasteManagementLicences.TherearefiveoftheselicensedlandfillsitesatSellafield,althoughfourareclosed.CalderLandfillExtensionSegregatedArea(CLESA)istheonlyoperationallandfillandispermittedtotakearangeofVeryLowLevelRadioactiveWastes(VLLW)/LowActive–LowLevelWaste(LA-LLW),suchasconcrete,soilandstones.Additionally,inordertoreducetheamountofLLWsentfordisposalattheLLWR,anationalresourcewithlimitedcapacity,somewastesarisingonthesiteandparticularlyfromradiologicallycontrolledareas,arecarefullymonitoredandassessedtoconfirmthattheyarenotradioactive.Suchwastesare‘OutofScope’undertheEnvironmentalPermittingRegulations.Allwastesassessedas‘OutofScope’undertheEnvironmentalPermittingRegulations2016,aswellaswastesdeemedtobeclean,aresentfordisposaloff-siteascontrolledwastes(paragraph24).


Ozone depleting substances and fluorinated greenhouse gases

22 TheCompanyiscommittedtominimisingtheuseofozonedepletingsubstancesandfluorinatedgreenhousegasesandreplacingequipmentcontainingthem.Routinereleasesareestimatedfromtheamountsofrefrigerantsusedtotop-upsystemsonsite.Sitereleasesbetween2012and2016ofozonedepletingsubstancesandfluorinatedgreenhousegasesaresummarisedintable8.

Carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases

23 Sellafield’sdischargesofcarbondioxideandmethanearemainlyfromFellsideCombinedHeatandPowerplant(CHP),whichismanagedandoperatedbySellafieldLtdanditsemissionscontrolledbytheSellafieldEnvironmentalPermitandanEmissionsTradingPermit.CarbondioxidemayalsobeemittedfromstandbygeneratorsonSellafieldsitewhichalsohaveanEmissionsTradingPermit.Inaddition,smallamountsofcarbondioxidearereleasedfromtheprocessplants(table7).

Off-site disposals of solid waste

24 Non-radioactive(controlled)wastesconsistingof,forexampleconcrete,soilandstones,office/canteenorworkshopwaste(predominantlysolidbutincludingsludgesandliquids)aredisposedofoff-siteviatheSiteWasteManagementContractor,wherepossible,utilisingtheWasteManagement

Hierarchy.Suchwastesarereusedorrecycledwherepossible.ConsiderationisgivenbySellafieldLtdtoavoidtheproductionofthewasteinthefirstinstanceorwhetherthewastecanbereducedineitherclassificationorvolume.Hazardouswasteisusuallyunabletobereused/recycled,withsomeexceptions(e.g.fluorescenttubes,batteriesandoilwastesforexample),andarenormallydisposedoftospeciallylicenseddisposalfacilities.In201670%ofSellafieldinert,non-hazardousandhazardouswastewasreusedorrecycled(table9).Inaddition,variousimprovedwastemanagementpracticesarebeingintroducedatSellafield.Introductionofoperationssuchasbailingandcompostinghavecommenced.Morerecyclingbinshavebeenintroducedinofficesandmixedwastebinshavebeenremovedfromthoseareas.Furtherimprovementsareactivelybeingsoughttocontinuouslyimprovethewastemanagementpracticesonthesite.

Summary25 Therewerenoinstancesin2016ofnon-compliance

withthenumericallimitsofpermitsregulatingdischargesanddisposalsofradioactivewastesatSellafield.

26 Radioactivedischarges(aerialandliquid)weregenerallysimilartothosein2015andwerewellbelowthepermittedlimits.


Table 1. Radioactive discharges to the Irish Sea via the pipeline, 2012 - 2016

RadionuclidesAnnual discharge (TBq)

2012 2013 2014 2015 2016Authorised

Limits

Tritium

Carbon-14

Cobalt-60

Zinc-65

Strontium-90

Zirconium-95

Niobium-95

Technetium-99

Ruthenium-106

Antimony-125

Iodine-129

Caesium-134

Caesium-137

Cerium-144

Europium-152

Europium-154

Europium-155

Neptunium-237

Plutonium-alpha

Plutonium-241

Americium-241

Curium-243+244

Total alphaa

Total betaa

Uranium (kg)

1,100

4.1

0.05

0.008

1.2

0.06

0.05

0.93

0.65

1.0

0.21

0.06

3.6

0.25

0.01

0.01

0.01

0.04

0.14

3.0

0.02

0.002

0.14

9.5

340

1,400

5.5

0.05

0.007

1.1

0.05

0.04

1.1

0.58

1.0

0.29

0.08

3.2

0.19

0.01

0.01

0.01

0.03

0.15

3.2

0.02

0.002

0.16

9.0

350

1,300

4.7

0.05

0.01

1.6

0.05

0.03

1.3

1.1

0.90e

0.36

0.06

2.6

0.16

0.02

0.01

0.02

0.04

0.15

2.9

0.02

0.002

0.17

9.7

360

1,500

4.9

0.05

0.007

1.6

0.06

0.04

1.7

0.70

1.1

0.36

0.07

3.1

0.19

0.01

0.007

0.009

0.04

0.14

2.4

0.03

0.001

0.19

9.5

330

2,000

4.8

0.04

0.01

2.0

0.05

0.04

1.9

1.1

1.2

0.52

0.07

3.7

0.21

0.02

0.009

0.01

0.03

0.18

3.0

0.03

0.003

0.25

13

340

18,000c

21

3.6

45b

2.8

10

51

2.0

1.6

34

4.0

0.73

0.70

25

0.30

0.05

0.90c

180d

2,000

a. ‘Total alpha’ and ‘Total beta’ are control measures relating to specified analytical determinations. They do not reproduce precisely the contributions from all individual isotopes.

b. Limit changed in June 2012 from 48 TBq for Strontium-90.c. Limit changed in March 2015 from 20,000 TBq for Tritium, 1.0 TBq for Total alpha.d. Limit changed in December 2016 from 200 TBq for Total Beta.e. Antimony-125 liquid discharge for 2014 updated from previous reports in line with statutory discharge records.

Table 2. Radioactive discharges to the Irish Sea via the Factory Sewer, 2012 - 2016

RadionuclidesAnnual discharge (GBq)

2012 2013 2014 2015 2016

Authorised Limits

(all sources)

Total alpha

Total beta

Tritium

0.11

3.9

9.9

0.05

1.9

6.6

0.06

1.8

4.6

0.09

2.6

7.4

0.08

5.2

7.9

0.30

60a

68

a. Limit changed in December 2016 from 6.1 GBq for Total Beta.


Table 3. Total airborne radioactive discharges, 2012 - 2016

RadionuclidesAnnual discharge (TBq)

2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 Authorised Limits

(all sources)

Tritium

Carbon-14

Krypton-85

Strontium-90

Ruthenium-106

Antimony-125

Iodine-129

Iodine-131

Caesium-137

Radon-222

Plutonium-alpha

Plutonium-241

Americium-241 + Curium-242

Total alpha

Total beta

100

0.38

38,000

0.03

0.70

3.2a

7.8

0.24

0.14

43

0.02

0.24

0.01

0.10

1.0

180

0.52

50,000

0.04

0.70

9.3

9.0

0.40

0.19

43

0.02

0.14

0.01

0.07

0.72

95

0.34

56,000

0.03

0.78

8.8

12

0.35

0.15

43

0.02

0.20

0.01

0.08

0.71

84

0.42

68,000

0.03

0.73

12

11

0.44

0.09

43

0.03

0.29

0.02

0.08

0.62

120

0.44

88,000

0.03

0.70

10

13

0.42

0.10

43

0.02

0.15

0.01

0.11

1.2

1,100

3.3

440,000

0.71

23

30

70

37

5.8

500

0.19

3.0

0.12

0.88

42

a. Antimony-125 aerial discharge for 2012 updated from previous reports in line with statutory discharge records.

Table 4. Solid low level waste arisings from Sellafield, 2012 - 2016

Low Level Waste Arisings (m3) 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016

LLW produced on site which has been reused, recycled or disposed of

LLW which has been reused or recycled

LLW metal waste recycled

Combustible LLW treated

LLW to landfill (as HV LLW or exempt/out of scope)a

LLW disposed of directly to landfill (as LLW, HV-VLLW or exempt waste but excluding waste that is out of scope of regulation)a

LLW disposed of on site

Volume of LLW disposed of at LLWR

20,000

780

1,600

69

12,000

-

3,300

1,600

11,000

Nil

3,100

280

-

490

4,500

2,600

8,800

Nil

2,400

800

-

610

3,400

1,700

9,800

Nil

2,300

1,300

-

370

4,100

1,800b

14,000

Nil

2,300

1,200

-

770

8,200

1,600

a. Waste arising description changed in 2013.b. Volume now includes volume of compactable LLW.

Annual discharge (GBq)


Table 5. Non-radioactive liquid effluent discharges (kg), 2012 - 2016

Mercury

Chromium

N as NO2 and NO3

N as NO2 and NO3

Glycol

SETP, SIXEP, EARP, Laundry, Inactive Tank Farm Neutralising Pit, Thorp-C14 Removal Plant, Water Treatment Plant

SIXEP, SETP, EARP

SETP, EARP

Thorp-C14 Removal Plant

SETP, SIXEP, EARP, Lagoon

Release points 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016

0.35

230

920,000

3,800

850

0.58

4.3b

1,000,000

3,600

1,400

0.14

5.7b

1,000,000

4,800

260

0.12

47

900,000

4,500

530

0.04

110

1,000,000

7,000

590

a. Annual mass limits reported under the Environmental Permit.b. Discharge reduction in 2013 and 2014 due to very low throughput in EARP.

Substance Annual Limita

10

1,200

4,080,000

26,900

12,000

Table 6. Non-radioactive aerial effluent discharges (kg), 2012 - 2016

Oxides of nitrogen (as NO2)


Particulate matter

Vitrification Test Rig

NNL Central Laboratory

Fellside CHP (as PM10)

Release points 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016

40

23

380

37

36

480

53

15

420

20

30

510

54

54

450

a. Annual mass limits reported under the Environmental Permit.

Substance Annual Limita

1,000

500

-

Table 7. Non-radioactive aerial effluent discharges (tonne), 2012 - 2016


Carbon dioxide

Carbon monoxide

Non-Methane Volatile organic compounds (NMVOCs)

Methane

Site Totala

Site Totala

Site Totala

Site Totala

Site Totala

Release points 2012b 2013b 2014b 2015b 2016b

330

320,000

14

75

11

370

410,000

21c

76

13

330

360,000

21c

85

13

530

430,000

21c

86

27

450

390,000

21c

71

23

a. Site Total includes Fellside CHP plant.b. No annual limits apply.c. EA agreed reporting value as carbon monoxide discharges significantly below reporting threshold (BRT) values.

Substance

Table 8. Discharges of ozone depleting substances and fluorinated greenhouse gases (kg), 2012 - 2016

R22 HCFC

R134A HFC

R407C HFC

R404A HFC

R410A HFC

R417A HFC

2012 2013 2014 2015 2016

5

460

260

69

31

6.5

120

75

80

-

3.8

-

44

51

270

0.8

35

5

1.4

100

120

0.1

61

5

-

120

44

0.1

4.9

8.1

a. HCFCs are ozone depleting substances and HFCs are fluorinated greenhouse gases. Note: the range of substances discharged varies each year depending on which equipment is topped up with refrigerants.

Substancea


Table 9. Non-radioactive solid waste arisings from Sellafield, 2012 - 2016

Inert Waste Arisings

Non-Hazardous Waste Arisings

Hazardous Waste Arisings

Inert waste produced on site

Inert waste reused or recycled

% of inert waste reused or recycled

Non-hazardous waste produced on site

Non-hazardous waste reused or recycled

% of non-hazardous waste reused or recycled

Hazardous waste produced on site

Hazardous waste reused or recycled

% of hazardous waste reused or recycled

Non-Radioactive Waste Arisings (te)a 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016

Nil

Nil

0 %

4,700

2,800

60 %

400

93

23 %

Nil

Nil

0 %

26,000

4,200

16 %

240

94

39 %

Nil

Nil

0 %

7,500

3,800

51 %

660

140

22 %

Nil

Nil

0 %

12,000

9,600

78 %

370

160

43 %

Nil

Nil

0 %

12,000

8,500

70 %

590

140

24 %

a. Whilst every effort is made to centrally record all Non-Rad waste arisings, some sub-contractors may not provide this information, so the actual quantity produced may be higher than the centrally recorded figure.


Figure 1. Pu-alpha discharge from marine pipeline and concentration in winkles, mussels and Nephrops

Figure 2. Am-241 discharge from marine pipeline and concentration in winkles, mussels and Nephrops

Figure 1

Page 1

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

0

0.2

0.4

0.6

0.8

1

1.2

1.4

1.6

1.8

2

1990 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 2012 2014 2016

Conc

entra

tion

(Bq/

kg)

Disc

harg

e (T

Bq)

Year

Figure 1. Pu-alpha discharge from marine pipeline and concentration in winkles, mussels and Nephrops

DischargeConcentration in winklesConcentration in musselsConcentration in Nephrops

Page 21 Figure 2

Page 1

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

0

0.1

0.2

0.3

0.4

0.5

0.6

0.7

0.8

0.9

1

1990 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 2012 2014 2016

Conc

entra

tion

(Bq/

kg)

Disc

harg

e (T

Bq)

Year

Figure 2. Am-241 discharge from marine pipeline and concentration in winkles, mussels and Nephrops

DischargeConcentration in winklesConcentration in musselsConcentration in Nephrops


Figure 3a. Annual aerial discharges of Carbon-14 (TBq)

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016

Discha

rges(TBq

)

Year

Figure3a.AnnualaerialdischargesofCarbon-14(TBq)

DischargesC-14AnnualLimit

Figure 3b. Annual aerial discharges of Iodine-129 (GBq)

0

20

40

60

80

2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016

Discha

rges(TBq

)

Year

Figure3b.AnnualaerialdischargesofIodine-129(GBq).

Discharges

I-129Annual Limit


Radiological and Non-radiological Monitoring of the EnvironmentAnnual Report 2016


Radiological monitoring of the environment 1 TheresultsoftheSellafieldLtdenvironmental

monitoringprogrammefor2016arepresentedwithinthisreportalongsidesupplementarydata,forfoodstuffsandradionuclidespertinenttodosecalculations,publishedbytheFSA(tables11and12).Furtherbackgroundinformationrelatingtoanalyticalmeasurements,limitofdetectionandroundingofdataisgivenintheIntroduction.

2 ThemainpathwaysidentifiedbySellafieldLtd,theEAandFSAasrelevanttocalculatingcriticalgroupdosesattributabletoradioactivedischargesfromSellafieldare:

• Internalexposurefromthehighrateconsumptionofseafood(particularlycrustaceansandshellfish)andoflocalagriculturalproduce;

• Externalgammaradiationfromexposedintertidalsediments,particularlythesiltsandmudsofestuariesandharbours;and,

• Inhalationof,andexposureto,airborneradioactivity.

Thehabitsandconsumptionratesrelatingtoeachpathwayarekeptunderregularreview1,2,3.TheSEMP,assupplementedbydatafromtheEAandFSAmonitoringprogrammes,reflectsthesepathways.Inadditiontopathwaysofradiationexposure,themonitoringprogrammealsoincludestheanalysisof‘indicators’.Theseareusuallybiologicalmaterialswhichaccumulateradioactivityandthereforearemorelikelytoproducepositiveanalyticalresultsandprovidetrendsinenvironmentalconcentrations;examplesaregrassandseaweed.Dosesfromdirectradiation,asdistinctfromdischarges,arediscussedelsewhere(paragraphs28and29).

3 ConcentrationsofradioactivityinthemarineenvironmentreflectdischargesfromtheSellafieldpipelines,whereasradioactivityintheterrestrialenvironmentgenerallyreflectsdischargestoatmosphere.Someoverlapdoesoccurhowever,withseatolandtransferprocesses4,5andontidallyinundatedpastures6.Concentrationsofcaesium-137,plutoniumandamericium-241inmostenvironmentalmaterialsarepredominantlyasaconsequenceofhistoricaldischarges.

Marine pathways4 Theextentofthemarineenvironmentalmonitoring

programmeisillustratedinfigure1.SamplesareregularlycollectedfromtheCumbriancoast.Thepreciselocationsarereviewedperiodically.Incertaincases,additionalsamplesareobtainedthroughcommercialsuppliers,representingfoodstuffsavailableforgeneralconsumption.

Foodstuffs

5 Theconcentrationsofradionuclidesintheediblepartsoffish,molluscsandcrustaceansfromtheSellafieldAreaaregivenintables1,2and3andsummarisedintable4.TemporaltrendsareshownintheDischargeandDisposalschapter,figures1and2alongsidethedischargesfromtheseapipeline.Trendsintheseafoodgenerallyreflecttheannualdischargesfromthepipelineandassuchweregenerallysimilartothoseinrecentyears.Plutonium-alphaandamericium-241concentrations

inmusselswereslightlylowertothosein2015whereasinwinklestheseactivityconcentrationswereslightlyhigherthanthosein2015.Overall,thegeneraldownwardtrendinactinideconcentrationsinmolluscshascontinued,withconcentrationsin2016beingaroundhalfthevaluesreportedintheearly1990s.

6 SinceNephropsnowcontributesasmuchdosetothecriticalgroupasmussels(Radiologicalchapter,table1),concentrationsofplutonium-alphaandamericium-241inNephropshavebeenincludedintheDischargeandDisposalchapterfigures1and2.Ingeneral,concentrationsofplutonium-alphaandamericium-241inNephropshaveremainedconstantsince1990.Duringthattimeplutonium-alphaconcentrationspeakedat2.5Bqkg-1in1997andhavebeenconsistentlybelow1Bqkg-1since2000.Similarly,americium-241concentrationspeakedat5Bqkg-1in1997withconcentrationsbeingbelow3Bqkg-1since2003.TheNephrops concentrationdataforamericium-241havebeenderivedusingSellafieldLtdreporteddata.Datagapsexistforplutonium-alphawhichhavebeenfilledusingsubsequentRIFEdataandnormalisingtotheSellafieldLtdamericium-241data.

7 Dataforcarbon-14presentedintables1to4arenotcorrectedforthelevelswhicharepresentnaturally7.However,backgroundcorrectedvaluesforcarbon-14infish,molluscsandcrustaceanshavebeenusedintheassessmentofradiationdosestocriticalgroups.Forthesemarinefoodstuffs,naturalconcentrationsofcarbon-14havebeentakenfromdatapublishedbytheEAandFSA1.

Indicators

8 Seaweedsareusefulmarineindicators(seeparagraph2).Fucus vesiculosusiscollectedbecauseitaccumulatesmanyradionuclides(particularlytechnetium-99)andissensitivetofluctuationsintheirconcentrationsinseawater.Thus,thereductionindischargesfrom2002onwardswassoonreflectedinthelevelsinthisspecies(AppendixB,figureB1).Porphyra umbilicalisisalsocollectedandmonitoredasanindicatorspecies(AppendixB,tableB1)duetoitshistoricalexposurepathwayroleforruthenium-106.

Seawater and sediments

9 SellafieldLtdroutinelycollectssamplesofseawaterfromtheshoreatlocationsclosetoSellafield.Concentrationsofradioactivityinseawater(AppendixB,tableB2)werebroadlysimilartothoseofrecentyears.Specificexamplesofconcentrationtrendsinseawaterfiltratefrom2000aregivenforcaesium-137andplutonium-alphaatSellafieldbeachinAppendixB,figuresB2andB3respectively.Agradualdecreaseovertimeisobservedforcaesium-137whereasplutonium-alphahasremainedataconsistentlylowleveloverthistimeperioddespitetherebeinganincreaseinplutonium-alphadischargesbetween2002and2004duetoincreasedpondwateractivityconcentrationsintheFHP.

10 Concentrationsofradioactivityinsediments(AppendixB,tableB4)weregenerallysimilartothoseofrecentyears.Redistributionofsub-surfacesedimentsmayhaveledtosmallfluctuationsinradionuclideconcentrations.


External pathways11 Gammadoseratesurveysarecarriedoutinthe

areasmostoftenfrequentedbymembersofthepublic(table5).Particularattentionispaidtoareaswheresiltormudaccumulates,suchasinharboursorestuaries,wheredoseratestendtobehigherbecauseofthepresenceoffinely-dividedsediments.Severalmeasurementsaremadeineachareaallowingtemporalandgeographicaltrendstobeobserved.ThegradualdeclineinexternalgammadoseratesatNewbigginsaltmarshbetween1993and2016isshowninAppendixB,figureB4.Thisdeclineisconsistentwiththedeclineinactivityconcentrationsofcobalt-60,ruthenium-106andcaesium-137reportedinNewbigginsediment(duetoacombinationofdischargetrendsandradioactivedecay).Themajorexternalgammadoseratecontributorinrecentyearsisfromcaesium-137duetothereductionindischargesanddecayofcobalt-60(5.27yearhalflife)andruthenium-106(373dayhalflife).Consequentlytheexternalgammadoseratesherewillnowdecreaseaccordingtothepresenceofcaesium-137(30.1yearhalflifecombinedwithpotentialburialrateduetosedimentaccretion).Gammadoseratesurveysarealsoconductedaroundthesiteperimeterandthesurroundingdistrict(tables6and7andparagraph28-29).Ingeneraldoseratesaredecliningtowardsbackgroundlevels.

12 Beta-gammagroundlevelmonitoringisundertakenjustabovethesurfaceonlocalbeachestoascertainthegenerallevelsofradioactivityandtoremoveitemsofhigherthannormalactivityifnecessary.Inadditiontotheroutinemonitoringprogramme,extramonitoringiscarriedoutintheeventofexceptionallyhightidesorseverestorms.During2016,approximately30man-hoursofeffortwerespentmonitoring82kmofcoastline.Monitoringwasconcentratedonrecenttide-linesandwind-blowndebrisinnear-shoreareas.

Beach monitoring13 In2003,aradioactiveparticlecontainingstrontium-90

activitywasfoundduringaroutinebeachmonitoringsurvey.Theunusualnatureoftheparticlepromptedareviewofbeachmonitoringand,asaresult,trialsofalargeareamonitoringtechniquewereagreedwiththeEA.ThetrialwasundertakenbyacontractoronbehalfofSellafieldLtdusingtheirGroundhogTM monitoringsystemandprovedsuccessfulinfindinganumberofradioactiveitemsonSellafieldandBraystonesbeaches.Followingthetrial,SellafieldLtdandtheEAagreedaprogrammeoflargeareabeachmonitoring.ThiswasspecifiedasareportingrequirementbytheEAintheCEARdocument.

14 Thecurrentmonitoringprogrammeisdeterminedbytakingaccountofthefindrates(bothparticlesandobjects)andtheoccupancyinformationforeachbeach.TheprogrammeisreviewedannuallyanditsscopeandextentareagreedwiththeEA.Stakeholderviewsarealsoconsideredduringthereviewprocess.

15 In2016,SellafieldLtdmonitoredtherequiredbeachareainlinewithEACEARrecommendations.AppendixB,tableB4showswhichbeachesweremonitoredduringthe2016calendaryearinaddition

tothenumberoffindsrecoveredandassociatedfindrates.Moredetailedinformationonbeachmonitoringcanbefoundathttps://www.gov.uk/government/publications/particles-in-the-environment-annual-report

16 Particleandobjectfindratesweresimilarin2016comparedto2015.Thesamedetectionsystem,Synergy2TM,wasusedinbothyears’monitoringprogramme.ThemajorityoffindswererecoveredfromSellafieldbeach(79%).

17 Thetypesofmaterialbeingrecoveredduring2016remainedconsistentwiththoseretrievedsincecommencementofthemonitoringprogramme.ThedistributionofCs-137andAm-241activitiesofcurrentparticlesremainwithinobservedrangesofallparticlestodate,providingreassurancethattheyarepartofthesamegeneralpopulation.

18 PHEhasadvisedtheEAontheparticlerisksassociatedwithusingthebeachesaroundSellafield.Thecurrentadviceisreproducedbelow8.

PHEconfirmsthattheadviceprovidedin2009,that“no special precautionary actions are required at this time to limit access to or use of beaches”remainsvalid.

Airborne and terrestrial pathways19 Theextentoftheterrestrialenvironmentalmonitoring

programmeisillustratedinfigure2.

Airborne

20 Highflowrateairsamplingequipment,locatedclosetothesiteperimeter(table8)andinnearbycentresofpopulation(table9),isusedtosampleairborneparticulatesforradiochemicalanalysis.Levelsoff-siteweregenerallybelowthelimitofdetection,withmostpositivevaluesreflectingseatolandtransferfrommarinedischarges.TheWhitehavensamplerwasdamagedinstormsduringDecember2013andreturnedtoservicein2016.

21 Totaldepositioncollectorsarelocatedinthevicinityofeachofthefivehighflowrateairsamplersclosetothesiteperimeter.Higheractivityconcentrationsforbeta-emittersaremeasuredatNorthGate(AppendixB,tableB5),reflectingitscloseproximitytotheopenponds.

22 Continuoussamplingforatmospherickrypton-85wasanalysedfortnightlyattheMet.stationontheedgeofSellafieldsite.Concentrationsrangedfrom2.2to183Bqm-3andaveraged47Bqm-3.Thisisequivalenttoanimmersiondoseof<1µSva-1forallagegroups(Radiologicalimpactchapter,table7).Significantvariationinatmospherickrypton-85concentrationswereobservedduetodiscontinuitiesinreprocessingoperationsontheSellafieldsitecombinedwiththevariabilityinmeteorologicalconditions.

Foodstuffs and water

23 Locationssampledformilkincludelocalfarms(intherange0to4kmfromtheSellafieldsite).Theaverageconcentrationsofradioactivityinmilkaresummarisedintable10.Thefiguresincludetheresidualeffectsofweaponstestingandthe1986Chernobylreactoraccident.Dataforcarbon-14includesthecontribution

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/particles-in-the-environment-annual-report


fromnaturalbackground.However,estimatesofeffectivedosehavebeenmadebysubtractingnaturalbackgroundlevelsofcarbon-14.Formilkandotherterrestrialfoodstuffs,vegetationandsoil,abackgroundlevelof226Bqcarbon-14perkgcarbonisused1.Themilkresultsfor2016arebroadlysimilartoorlowerthanthoseobservedforpreviousyears,withmanyanalysesatthelimitofdetection.Inrecentyears,milkconsumptionwasamaincontributortothecriticalgroupdosefromterrestrialfoodstuffs.In2016,thiswasnotthesituationduetostrontium-90activityconcentrationsbeinglowerthanpreviousyears.

24 TheresultsoftheSellafieldenvironmentalmonitoringprogrammefor2016arepresentedalongsidesupplementarydatapublishedbytheFSAintables11and12.TheSellafieldLtdsamplesweremainlycollectedfromwithin4kmoftheSellafieldsiteastheybecameavailablethroughouttheyear.Directcomparisonwiththeresultsofearlieryearsisdifficultduetotherelativelysmallnumbersofsamplesandtheirlocations.Dataforcarbon-14arepresentedastotalandnet(backgroundsubtracted)values1.ForterrestrialfoodstuffsnolongermonitoredbySellafieldLtd,naturalcarbon-14backgroundconcentrationshavebeentakenfromdatapublishedbytheEAandFSA1.For2016,theconsumptionofdomesticfruitandpotatoeshasbeencalculatedtobethemaincontributorstothecriticalgroupdosefromterrestrialfoodstuffs.

25 WatersamplesarecollectedfromtheRiverCalderandRiverEhen,lakesanddomesticsupplies.Theresults(table13)areallverylowandrarelyabovethelimitsofdetection,exceptforstrontium-90whichisgenerallypresentinrainwaterandsurfacewateratlevelstypicalofthosethroughouttheUK1.

Indicators

26 Grassandsoilsamplingareincludedinthemonitoringprogrammeastheyprovidetimetrenddataonenvironmentalconcentrationsofradioactivity.Grasssamples(AppendixB,tableB6)arecollectedquarterlyfromfivelocationsontheSellafieldsiteandalsofromtheRavenglassEstuary.Soilsamples(5cmcores)arecollectedannuallyfromthesamelocations(AppendixB,tableB7).ConcentrationsinsoilaresimilartopreviousyearswithexceptionoftheRavenglasssite.Herecaesium-137,plutonium-alphaandamericium-241activitiesaregenerallyhigherthanin2015.Thedepositionofnaturaldebris(e.g.seaweed)aswellasfinesedimentarymaterialoccursattheRavenglasssiteasitistidallyinundated.Thisprocesscansignificantlyaffecttheradionuclidecontentofsoilsandgrassinthedepositedregion.ThereforethesuitabilityofthissiteiscurrentlyunderreviewinconjunctionwiththeEA.

Groundwater

27 Partofthestatutorymonitoringprogrammeincludestheroutinemonitoringofgroundwaterfrom15locationsaroundtheperimeterofthesitesothatanysignificantmigrationofradioactivityingroundwaterwillbedetected.Thesegroundwatermonitoringwellsareshowninfigure3.Theroutineresultsin2016(AppendixB,tableB8)weresimilartothosereportedinrecentyears;however,elevatedresultsforbetaemittingradionuclidescontinuetoberecordedat6948p1andaresubjecttoongoing

reviewandinvestigation.Mostotherresultswereclosetoorbelowlimitsofdetection,exceptfortritiumandtechnetium-99inthevicinityofthemaingateandsouthwestofthesite(figure3).TheWindscaleTrenches,whichwereusedbeforedisposaloperationscommencedattheLLWR,mayformpartofthesourceofthetritiuminthisareaandalsoofthatmonitoredingroundwaterup-wellingontheSellafieldbeach,howeverthesourcetermupgradientofthisareaiscomplex.Aredundantseadischargestoragetankisbelievedtobethesourceofthetechnetium-99.Theseconcentrationsareinlinewithgroundwatermodellingthatpredictedpeakconcentrationsof0.1MBqm-3technetium-99between2000and2010.MoredetailedinformationongroundwatermonitoringattheSellafieldsitescanbefoundathttps://www.gov.uk/government/publications/groundwater-monitoring-at-sellafield-2014-data-review.

Direct radiation28 SomeoftheolderMagnoxbuildings,including

theCalderreactors,havelowerlevelsofradiationshieldingthanthemodernbuildings,suchasThorp.Consequently,itispossibletomeasureradiationdoseratesabovenaturalbackgroundatthesiteperimeterfence.ThesedoserateswerelargelyduetodirectradiationfromtheunshieldedheatexchangersontheCalderreactorsandthereforeweredependentupontheamountofpowerbeingproducedbythereactors(untiltheywereshutdowninMarch2003).Theperimeterradiationlevelsarestillaffectedbyradiationfromcontaminationwithintheheatexchangersbutatamuchlowerlevel.

29 Gammadoseratesaremonitoredcontinuouslyandanalysedquarterlyusingthermoluminescentdetectors(TLDs)at31locationsaroundthesiteperimeter(table6)andatafurther7locationsinthesurroundingdistrict(table7).Doseratesatthesiteperimeteraveraged0.11µSvh-1,significantlylowerthanwhentheCalderHallreactorswerefullyoperational.Doseratesinthesurroundingdistrictaveraged0.07µSvh-1.Thesearetotaldoserates,whichincludecontributionsfromnaturalterrestrialbackgroundandcosmicrays.Fordoseassessmentpurposesthenaturalcontributionsarededucted.

Non-radiological monitoring of the environment30 TheEnvironmentalPermitincludesanon-

radiologicalmonitoringprogramme(seeMonitoringchapter,figure3).Comparedtotheradiologicalenvironmentalmonitoringprogramme,itsscopeislimitedandcompriseslocalairsamplingontheSellafieldsite,watersamplingfromtheRiversCalderandEhenandseawatersamplingfromlocalbeaches.Amorecomprehensivesummaryofnon-radioactivereleasestoair,controlledwaters,landandoff-sitetransfersofwasteisgiveninthepollutioninventorysuppliedtotheEAeachyearandisavailablefromtheirwebsitehttps://www.gov.uk/check-local-environmental-data

Air sampling

31 MeasurementsofnitrogendioxideconcentrationsinairaremadeatfivelocationsontheSellafieldsite:WestRingRoad,MeteorologicalStation,NorthGrouproundabout,CalderGateandSouthSide.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/groundwater-monitoring-at-sellafield-2014-data-review

https://www.gov.uk/check-local-environmental-data


Measurementsaremadeusingpassivediffusiontubeswhichareexposedforonemonthbeforebeinganalysed.Airsamplingresultsaresummarisedintable14.

Water sampling

32 WatersamplesareobtainedfromtheRiversCalderandEhenatlocationsbothupstreamanddownstreamofthesite(table15).Thedownstreamsamplesaretakenabovetheconfluenceofthetworivers,andattimeswhichminimisecontaminationwithseawater.Seawatersamplesareobtainedfromtheshorelineareasgivenintable16ratherthanfromoffshoresitesaswasperformedupto2006.

Monitoring of Sellafield’s landfill sites

33 TheWasteManagementLicencesfortheNorthLandfillSiteandCalderFloodplainLandfillExtensionsrequirethatenvironmentalmonitoringbecarriedoutinthevicinityofthetwosites.ThemonitoringcompriseswatersamplingfromtheRiverCalderandNewMillBeckupstreamanddownstreamofthetipsandgasmonitoringovertheirsurfaces.Theresultsaresummarisedintables17and18.

Environmental impact of non-radioactive discharges34 Inthisreport,theimpactofaerialdischarges

hasbeenaddressed(table14)bycomparingthemeasuredenvironmentalconcentrationswiththemoststringent(annualmean)nationalairqualitylimitvalues1fornitrogendioxide.TheinterpretationoftheseresultsisnotstraightforwardsincedischargesaremadenotonlyfromSellafieldbutalsofromotherindustrialsitesinWestCumbriaandfromnaturalsources.Thedataintable14showthatthemeasuredconcentrationsinairontheSellafieldsitewereallbelowtheairqualitylimitvalue.

35 Theresultsintable15and16confirmthattheliquiddischargesfromSellafieldarenotcausingtheEnvironmentalQualityStandards(EQS)andEnvironmentalAssessmentLevels(EAL)9tobeexceededandthereforeshouldbeofnegligibleimpact.

36 Environmentalmonitoringresults(table17and18)confirmthattheimpactofSellafield’slandfillsitesremainsnegligible.Nosignificantconcentrationsofcarbondioxideormethanehavebeenmeasuredatthesesites.

References1. EnvironmentAgency,FoodStandardsAgency,

FoodStandardsScotland,NaturalResourcesWales,NorthernIrelandEnvironmentAgencyandScottishEnvironmentProtectionAgency(2016).Radioactivity in food and the environment, 2015.RIFE-21.EA,FSA,FSS,NRW,NIEAandSEPA;Preston,London,Aberdeen,Cardiff,BelfastandStirling.

2. FoodStandardsAgency(2010).Radiological Habits Survey: Cumbrian coast beach occupancy, 2009.EnvironmentReportRL01/10.

3. GarrodCJandClyneFJ(2017).Radiological habits survey: Sellafield review, 2016.EnvironmentReportRL03/17.CEFAS,Lowestoft(undercontracttotheEAandtheFSA).

4. PeirsonDH(1988).ArtificialradioactivityinCumbria:A summary of an assessment by measurement and modelling.J.Env.Radioactivity6:61-75.

5. HowarthJMandEggletonAEJ(1988).Studies of environmental radioactivity in Cumbria. Part 12: Modelling of sea-to-land transfer of radionuclides and an assessment of the radiological consequences.AERE-R11733,HMSO,London.

6. HowardBJ(1987).Cs137 uptake by sheep grazing tidally inundated and inland pastures near the Sellafield reprocessing plant.In:CoughtreyPJetal(Eds)PollutantTransportandFateinEcosystems,pp371-383.BlackwellScientificPublications,Oxford.

7. CookGTandMcKenzieAB(1996).Marine background of carbon-14.ProjectRP/GNSR/5003,ScottishUniversitiesResearchandReactorCentre,EastKilbride.

8. EtheringtonG,YoungmanMJ,BrownJandOatwayW(2012).Evaluation of the Groundhog Synergy beach monitoring system for detection of alpha-rich objects and implications for the health risks to beach users,HPA-CRCE-038.

9. EnvironmentAgency(2010).Horizontal Guidance Note H1- Environmental risk assessment. EnvironmentAgency,Bristol.


Table 1. Radioactivity in fish (Bq kg-1 wet weight), 2016

Cod

Plaice

Species Location14Ca 99Tc 106Ru 137Cs Pu(α) 241Am

86

86

86

64

81

73

79

87

a. 14C data include natural background.b. Combined average for Sellafield coastal and offshore areas, this is consistent with the St Bees-Selker location

described in previous reports.

Mean radionuclide concentration (Bq kg-1 wet weight)

Sellafield coastal area

Sellafield offshore area

Sellafield areab

Whitehaven

Sellafield coastal area

Sellafield offshore area

Sellafield areab

Whitehaven

0.31

0.32

0.31

<0.26

2.2

2.0

2.2

2.1

<0.26

<0.31

<0.27

<0.27

<0.20

<0.19

<0.20

<0.20

3.8

4.2

3.9

3.6

1.8

1.7

1.8

2.0

<0.003

<0.002

<0.003

0.01

0.006

0.008

0.007

0.006

0.004

<0.004

<0.004

0.02

0.009

0.01

0.01

0.01


Tabl

e 2.

Rad

ioac

tivity

in m

ollu

scs

(Bq

kg-1

wet

wei

ght),

201

6

a.

14C

data

incl

ude

natu

ral b

ackg

roun

d.b.

No

sam

ple

avai

labl

e

Spec

ies

Loca

tion

Tota

l Al

pha

Mea

n ra

dion

uclid

e co

ncen

trat

ion

(Bq

kg-1

wet

wei

ght)

14Ca

60Co

90Sr

99Tc

106 R

u12

5 Sb

129 I

137 C

sU(α)

237 N

pPu

(α)

238 P

u23

9+24

024

1 Pu

241 A

mCm

(α)

Rave

ngla

ss G

arth

Mus

selb

ed -

Ann

ual

Rave

ngla

ss G

arth

Mus

selb

ed -

Qua

rterly

Rave

ngla

ss G

arth

Mus

selb

ed -

Qua

rterly

Rave

ngla

ss G

arth

Mus

selb

ed -

Qua

rterly

Rave

ngla

ss G

arth

Mus

selb

ed –

Qua

rterly

b

Rave

ngla

ss G

arth

Mus

selb

ed A

vera

ge

Sella

field

coa

stal

are

a (n

orth

) - A

nnua

l

Sella

field

coa

stal

are

a (n

orth

) - Q

uarte

rly

Sella

field

coa

stal

are

a (n

orth

) - Q

uarte

rly

Sella

field

coa

stal

are

a (n

orth

) - Q

uarte

rly

Sella

field

coa

stal

are

a (n

orth

) – Q

uarte

rlyb

Sella

field

coa

stal

are

a (n

orth

) Ave

rage

Sella

field

coa

stal

are

a Av

erag

e

Sella

field

coa

stal

are

a (n

orth

) - A

nnua

l

Sella

field

coa

stal

are

a (n

orth

) - Q

uarte

rly

Sella

field

coa

stal

are

a (n

orth

) - Q

uarte

rly

Sella

field

coa

stal

are

a (n

orth

) - Q

uarte

rly

Sella

field

coa

stal

are

a (n

orth

) - Q

uarte

rly

Sella

field

coa

stal

are

a (n

orth

) Ave

rage

Sella

field

coa

stal

are

a (s

outh

) - A

nnua

l

Sella

field

coa

stal

are

a (s

outh

) - Q

uarte

rly

Sella

field

coa

stal

are

a (s

outh

) - Q

uarte

rly

Sella

field

coa

stal

are

a (s

outh

) - Q

uarte

rly

Sella

field

coa

stal

are

a (s

outh

) - Q

uarte

rly

Sella

field

coa

stal

are

a (s

outh

) Ave

rage

Sella

field

coa

stal

are

a Av

erag

e

-

<0.

002

<0.

06

<0.

05 -

<0.

04 -

<0.

11

<0.

07

<0.

004

-

<0.

06

<0.

05 -

<0.

41

<0.

13

<0.

06

<0.

02

<0.

16 -

<0.

007

<0.

08

<0.

008

<0.

06

<0.

04

<0.

10

Mus

sels

Win

kles

- 19 21 12 - 17 - 18 22 9.3 - 16 17 - 40 61 15 15 33 - 26 30 17 16 22 27

- 28 52 44 - 42 - 58 66 63 - 62 52 - 120

150

91 120

120 - 110

97 85 96 96 110

110 - - - - 110

140 - - - - 140

120

64 - - - - 64 95 - - - - 95 80

-

0.34

0.43

0.29 -

0.35 -

0.71

0.99

0.47 -

0.72

0.54 -

0.86 1.4

0.77

0.52

0.88 -

0.76

0.99 1.2

0.91

0.96

0.92

-

0.23

<0.

22

0.72 -

0.39 - 1.5

0.60

0.25 -

0.80

0.59 - 2.9

6.3

1.5

1.2

3.0 - 1.2

1.0

<0.

42

1.1

0.93 2.0

- 110

91 74 - 90 - 77 66 40 - 61 76 - 36 17 32 29 29 - 53 88 85 100

82 55

- 1.0

1.3

1.6 - 1.3 - 3.6

3.4

7.9 - 5.0

3.1 - 2.9

5.2

6.3

4.4

4.7 -

<1.

9

2.7

5.7

8.6

4.7

4.7

-

0.31

<0.

35 - -

<0.

33 -

0.43

0.63

0.50 -

0.52

0.44 - - 1.1

0.64 -

0.85 -

0.43

0.50

<0.

62

0.37

0.48

0.60

<0.

09 - - - -

<0.

09

<0.

10 - - - -

<0.

10

<0.

10

<0.

14 - - - -

<0.

14

<0.

13 - - - -

<0.

13

<0.

13

-

0.94

0.83

0.74 -

0.84 - 5.7

2.5

1.2 - 3.1

2.0 - 8.9

17 3.9

3.3

8.2 - 4.8

3.1

2.5

1.8

3.1

5.6

- 1.8

2.0

1.6 - 1.8 -

0.93 1.0

0.76 -

0.91 1.4 - 2.0

2.7

1.2

1.1

1.8 - 1.8

2.3

1.9

2.0

2.0

1.9

-

0.01

0.01

0.00

9

-

0.01 -

0.00

8

0.01

0.00

6

-

0.00

8

0.01 -

0.02

0.04

0.00

2

0.00

3

0.02 -

0.01

0.01

0.00

6

0.00

6

0.00

9

0.01

- 4.6

4.7

3.4 - 4.2 - 4.8

5.8

3.4 - 4.7

4.4 - 16 24 5.0

3.9

12 - 7.5

8.6

7.0

5.6

7.2

9.7

-

0.84

0.77

0.71 -

0.77 -

0.91 1.1

0.56 -

0.86

0.82 - 2.4

3.9

0.66

0.68 1.9 - 1.2

1.3

1.2

0.92 1.2

1.5

- 3.7

3.9

2.7 - 3.4 - 3.9

4.7

2.8 - 3.8

3.6 - 13 20 4.4

3.2

10 - 6.3

7.3

5.8

4.7

6.0

8.2

- 26 22 18 - 22 - 26 36 18 - 27 24 - 65 120

24 15 55 - 33 46 31 24 33 44

- 10 9.8

6.8 - 8.9 - 7.7

11 6.3 - 8.2

8.5 - 23 45 9.1

8.5

22 - 14 17 11 9.3

13 17

Tota

l Be

taPu


Table 3. Radioactivity in crustaceans (Bq kg-1 wet weight), 2016

Edible Crab

Lobster

Nephrops (Scampi)

Species Location14Ca 60Co 90Sr 99Tc 106Ru 129I

110

160

140

110

140

130

130

120

110

120

140

98

120

120

89

-

89

a. 14C data include natural background.

Mean radionuclide concentration (Bq kg-1 wet weight)

Sellafield coastal area (north) - Early

Sellafield coastal area (north) - Late

Sellafield coastal area (north) Average

Sellafield coastal area (south) - Early

Sellafield coastal area (south) - Late

Sellafield coastal area (south) Average

Sellafield coastal area Average

Sellafield coastal area (north) - Early

Sellafield coastal area (north) - Late

Sellafield coastal area (north) Average

Sellafield coastal area (south) - Early

Sellafield coastal area (south) - Late

Sellafield coastal area (south) Average


Sellafield coastal area - Early

Sellafield coastal area - Late


137Cs U Alpha Pu(α) 241Am

0.20

-

0.20

0.20

-

0.20

0.20

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

0.08

0.08

0.08

0.13

0.07

0.10

0.09

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

5.5

4.3

4.9

6.8

3.0

4.9

4.9

94

230

160

110

130

120

140

36

55

46

<1.2

<2.5

<1.9

<1.4

<2.0

<1.7

<1.8

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

<0.25

1.6

<0.93

1.0

<0.20

<0.60

<0.76

-

-

-

0.59

0.88

0.74

0.79

0.63

0.71

0.72

1.2

1.7

1.5

1.8

1.1

1.4

1.4

1.2

1.3

1.3

0.14

0.15

0.14

0.16

0.20

0.18

0.16

0.03

0.04

0.04

0.03

0.03

0.03

0.03

-

-

-

0.20

0.31

0.26

0.27

0.25

0.26

0.26

0.14

0.20

0.17

0.19

0.17

0.18

0.17

0.50

0.67

0.58

0.72

1.1

0.88

1.0

1.3

1.2

1.0

0.81

1.1

0.96

2.2

0.69

1.4

1.2

2.8

2.6

2.7

Table 4. Summary of radioactivity in marine seafood (Bq kg-1 wet weight), 2016

Radionuclide Codb Plaiceb Lobsterc Crabc Nephropsc Winklesc Musselsc

Carbon-14a

Cobalt-60

Strontium-90

Technetium-99

Ruthenium-106

Antimony-125

Iodine-129

Caesium-137

Neptunium-237

Plutonium-alpha

Plutonium-241

Americium-241

Curium-alpha

86

-

-

0.31

<0.27

-

-

3.9

-

<0.003

-

<0.004

-

79

-

-

2.2

<0.2

-

-

1.8

-

0.007

-

0.01

-

120

-

-

140

-

-

<0.76

1.4

-

0.17

-

1.2

-

130

0.20

0.09

4.9

<1.8

-

-

0.72

-

0.26

-

1.0

-

89

-

-

46

-

-

-

1.3

-

0.58

-

2.7

-

80

0.92

2.0

55

4.7

0.60

<0.13

5.6

0.01

9.7

44

17

<0.10

120

0.54

0.59

76

3.1

0.44

<0.10

2.0

0.01

4.4

24

8.5

<0.05

a. 14C data include natural background.b. Combined average for Sellafield coastal and offshore areas. This is consistent with the St Bees-Selker location reported in

previous reports.c. Sellafield coastal area average.


Table 5. Me an gamma dose rates measured in air in intertidal and other coastal areas of Cumbria, 2016

Whitehaven

Whitehaven Harbour (north)

Whitehaven Harbour (south)

St Bees (beach)

St Bees (groynes)

St Bees

St Bees

Coulderton

Nethertown

Nethertown

Nethertown

Braystones

Braystones

Sellafield Beach

Sellafield Dunes

Sellafield

Sellafield

Factory Sewer

Seascale Beach

Seascale Beach

Seascale Dunes

Drigg

Drigg Beach

Ravenglass

Ravenglass

Ravenglass

Ravenglass

Ravenglass

Ravenglass

Eskmeals Viaduct

Newbiggin

Muncaster Road Bridge

Hall Waberthwaite

Area of survey Description Nature of ground Number of observations

Mean dose rate (μGy h-1)a

1

4

4

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

12

12

4

4

4

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

4

1

1

0.14

0.11

0.13

0.11

0.16

0.11

0.13

0.15

0.16

0.12

0.15

0.14

0.14

0.15

0.13

0.11

0.11

0.14

0.13

0.13

0.10

0.13

0.13

0.16

0.13

0.14

0.12

0.15

0.13

0.13

0.18

0.14

0.15

North shore

outer harbour

outer harbour

beach

groynes

promenade and car park

Seamill Lane car park

grassed areas/beach bungalows

beach

car park

grassed area/beach bungalows

beach

grassed areas/beach bungalows

beach

dunes

pipeline 3

pipeline 4

outfall

north of pipeline

south of pipeline

dunes

Barn Scar

beach

Raven Villa

River Mite Ford

small boat area

Salmon Garth

Salmon Garth (saltmarsh)

grassed area

saltmarsh

saltmarsh

riverbank

saltmarsh

sand

mud/silt

soft mud

sand

pebbles/rocks

concrete / grass

car park

grass banks

pebbles/shingle

concrete / grass

grass banks

pebbles/shingle

grass banks

sand

sand

rocks / boulders / sand / shingle

sand

rocks/sand

mussel beds / silt / rocks

sand

saltmarsh

firm silt / pebbles

mussel beds

sand / firm silt

grass

saltmarsh

saltmarsh

grass

saltmarsh turf

a. Figures include contributions from natural background, typically 0.05 μGy h-1 over sandy areas and 0.07 μGy h-1 over silt.

Table 6. Mean gamma dose rates measured in air at Sellafield site perimeter, 2016

North

East

South

West

River Ehen

River Calder

River Calder critical groupb

Mean annual average

Area of survey Number of locations Mean dose rate (μSv h-1)a

4

5

3

4

2

12

1

-

0.008

0.04

0.003

0.05

0.01

0.24

0.09

0.11

a. Figures exclude contribution from natural background (approximately 0.06 μSv h-1).b. Calder fence adjacent to Combined Heat and Power plant.


Table 7. Mean gamma dose rates measured in air in the vicinity of Sellafield, 2016

Calderbridge

Beckermet

Seascale

Ravenglass

Braystones

Whitehaven

Gosforth

Location Mean dose rate (μSv h-1)a

0.07

0.07

0.06

0.07

0.07

0.06

0.07

a. Figures include contribution from natural background (approximately 0.06 μSv h-1).

Table 8. Radioactivity in air in the vicinity of Sellafield - Site Perimeter Locations, 2016

Total Alpha

Total Beta

Strontium-90

Ruthenium-106

Antimony-125

Caesium-134

Caesium-137

Plutonium-alpha

Plutonium-241

Americium-241

Uranium-234

Uranium-235

Uranium-236

Uranium-238

RadionuclideMean radionuclide concentration (mBq m-3)

Calder Gate Met. Station North Gate West Ring Road South Side

0.02

0.17

0.004

<0.04

<0.03

<0.004

0.01

0.001

<0.03

0.0006

<0.0004

<0.00002

<0.0001

0.0002

0.02

0.21

0.007

<0.04

<0.02

<0.005

0.02

0.0009

<0.03

0.0008

<0.0005

<0.00002

<0.0001

0.0003

<0.02

0.26

0.01

<0.04

<0.04

<0.004

0.05

0.002

<0.03

0.002

<0.0005

<0.00002

<0.0001

0.0004

0.02

0.25

0.02

<0.04

<0.02

<0.005

0.04

0.0005

<0.03

0.001

<0.0006

<0.00003

<0.0001

0.0005

0.02

0.17

0.002

<0.04

<0.02

<0.005

<0.005

<0.0003

<0.02

0.0004

0.0006

0.00003

<0.0001

0.0005

Table 9. Radioactivity in air in the vicinity of Sellafield - Residential Locations, 2016

Strontium-90

Antimony-125

Caesium-134

Caesium-137

Plutonium-alpha

Plutonium-241

Americium-241

Uranium-234

Uranium-235

Uranium-236

Uranium-238

RadionuclideMean radionuclide concentration (mBq m-3)

Beckermet Braystones Calderbridge Gosforth Ravenglass

0.002

<0.02

<0.005

<0.006

0.0003

<0.02

<0.0002

<0.0003

<0.00002

<0.0001

0.0003

0.001

<0.02

<0.005

<0.006

<0.0002

<0.03

<0.0003

<0.0004

<0.00002

<0.0001

0.0002

0.001

<0.03

<0.004

<0.004

<0.0002

<0.03

<0.0001

<0.0003

<0.00002

<0.0001

0.0001

0.0008

<0.02

<0.004

<0.004

<0.0001

<0.02

<0.0001

<0.0003

<0.00002

<0.0001

0.00009

<0.0009

<0.01

<0.004

<0.004

<0.0002

<0.03

0.0002

<0.0004

<0.00004

<0.0003

0.0002

Seascale Whitehavena

<0.0004

<0.01

<0.004

<0.004

<0.0001

<0.02

0.0002

<0.0003

<0.00002

<0.0001

<0.00006

0.001

<0.01

<0.004

<0.004

0.001

<0.03

0.002

<0.0004

<0.00004

<0.0002

0.0002

Table 10. Radioactivity in milk from farms near Sellafield, 2016

Location

Farm Ac

Farm B

Farm C

Mean radionuclide concentration (Bq litre-1)

Total Alpha

Total Beta

3H 14C Totala 14C Netb 90Sr 106Ru 125Sb 129I 131I 137Cs

<0.13

<0.12

<0.11

40

42

39

<3.7

<3.2

<2.9

15

16

16

<0.60

<0.63

<0.63

0.03

0.03

0.03

<0.36

<0.36

<0.35

<0.10

<0.10

<0.09

0.01

<0.007

<0.01

<0.04

<0.04

<0.04

0.08

<0.05

0.06

a. Including natural background. b. Excluding natural background. c. Milk from Farm A has been used in the radiological assessment

a. Whitehaven sampler returned to service in May 2016.


Tabl

e 11

. Rad

ioac

tivity

in a

nim

al p

rodu

ce fr

om fa

rms

near

Sel

lafie

ld, 2

016

a.

Valu

es s

how

n in

pal

e bl

ue b

oxes

are

from

mea

sure

men

ts p

erfo

rmed

by

the

FSA.

b.

Incl

udin

g na

tura

l bac

kgro

und.

c.

Excl

udin

g na

tura

l bac

kgro

und

(val

ues

take

n fro

m R

IFE-

21).

Mea

sure

d co

ncen

tratio

ns th

at a

re s

mal

ler t

han

back

grou

nd v

alue

are

in

dica

ted

by a

hyp

hen.

d.

Yea

r sam

pled

- 2

014

Bovi

ne m

uscl

e

Bovi

ne li

ver

Bovi

ne k

idne

y

Ovin

e m

uscl

e

Ovin

e ki

dney

/live

r

Deer

Duck

d

Phea

sant

Wild

woo

d pi

geon

Rabb

it

Eggs

- G

ener

al

Spec

ies

Mea

n Ra

dion

uclid

e co

ncen

trat

ion

(Bq

kg-1

wet

wei

ght)a

3 H

Tota

l14

C

Tota

lb

14C

Netc

60Co

90Sr

99Tc

106 R

u12

5 Sb

129 I

134 C

s13

7 Cs

238 P

u23

9+24

0 Pu

241 P

u24

1 Am

<12

<4.

3

<4.

3

<7.

1

<5.

8

<3.

8

<2.

0

<4.

9

<4.

6

23 <6.

6

27 27 16 30 32 29 35 37 41 15 34

- - - - 5.4 - - 3.0

7.0 - -

<0.

06

<0.

05

<0.

03

<0.

06

<0.

04

<0.

08

<0.

07

<0.

06

<0.

07

<0.

09

<0.

04

<0.

04

<0.

05

<0.

05

<0.

04

<0.

05

<0.

05

<0.

05

<0.

06

<0.

04

<0.

04

<0.

04

<0.

09

<0.

09

<0.

09

<0.

10

<0.

10

<0.

10

<0.

21

<0.

10 -

<0.

09 -

<0.

14

<0.

08

<0.

12

<0.

16

<0.

12

<0.

11

<0.

13

<0.

10

<0.

11

<0.

17

<0.

10

<0.

02

<0.

02

<0.

02

<0.

02

<0.

02

0.06

<0.

06

<0.

02

<0.

02

<0.

02

<0.

03

<0.

07

<0.

04

<0.

04

<0.

07

<0.

05

<0.

10

<0.

05

<0.

05

<0.

05

<0.

09

<0.

05

<0.

0000

6

<0.

0003

<0.

0000

6

<0.

0000

7

0.00

1

<0.

0001

<0.

0005

<0.

0000

9

<0.

0001

0.00

003

<0.

0000

3

0.00

01

0.00

2

<0.

0003

0.00

02

0.00

7

<0.

0002

<0.

0002

0.00

006

0.00

02

0.00

01

0.00

007

<0.

26

<0.

25

<0.

25

<0.

22

<0.

29

<0.

21

<0.

34

<0.

45

<0.

21

<0.

28

<0.

21

0.00

01

0.00

2

0.00

09

0.00

03

0.00

8

0.00

009

0.00

005

0.00

01

0.00

01

0.00

02

0.00

02

0.18

<0.

06

0.11 2.2

0.73

0.65

<0.

09

0.06

<0.

06

7.5

<0.

04

<0.

34

<0.

45

<0.

35

<0.

52

<0.

34

<0.

21

<0.

58

<0.

40

<0.

46

<0.

56

<0.

28


Table 12. Radioactivity in fruit and vegetable produce collected near Sellafield, 2016

Potato

Cabbage

Broccoli

Cauliflowerd

Carrots

Beetroot

Oniond

Runner beansd

Mushroom

Appled

Blackcurrantsd

Strawberriesd

Blackberriesd

Elderberriesd

Honeyd

SpeciesMean Radionuclide concentration (Bq kg-1 wet weight)a

3H Total

14C

Totalb

14C

Netc60Co 90Sr 99Tc 106Ru 125Sb 129I 134Cs 137Cs 238Pu 239+240Pu 241Pu 241Am

<2.8

<2.3

<2.6

<2.1

<2.5

<2.4

<4.2

<2.0

<3.4

<2.7

<4.0

<2.0

<5.1

<2.0

<2.0

<0.04

<0.08

<0.07

<0.10

<0.04

<0.08

<0.06

<0.06

<0.05

<0.06

<0.20

<0.06

<0.05

<0.11

<0.02

0.03

0.10

<0.06

-

0.04

0.12

0.20

0.33

<0.05

<0.04

0.08

0.14

0.24

0.04

<0.04

-

-

-

-

<0.10

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

<0.10

-

-

<0.12

<0.17

<0.09

<0.16

<0.12

<0.14

<0.10

<0.11

<0.10

<0.13

<0.30

<0.16

<0.18

<0.18

<0.08

<0.02

<0.02

<0.02

<0.04

<0.03

<0.02

<0.04

<0.06

<0.02

<0.05

<0.02

<0.05

<0.04

<0.08

<0.02

<0.06

<0.06

<0.07

<0.07

<0.08

<0.08

<0.05

<0.06

<0.04

<0.07

-

<0.07

<0.09

<0.08

<0.03

<0.00007

<0.00007

<0.0001

-

-

-

-

<0.0001

0.003

<0.00007

0.0002

<0.0001

0.00009

0.001

<0.0002

0.0007

0.0001

<0.0002

-

-

-

-

0.0003

0.02

0.0005

0.0005

<0.0003

0.0008

0.004

<0.0002

<0.37

<0.20

-

-

-

-

-

-

<0.23

-

<0.08

-

<0.22

-

<0.26

0.0006

0.0001

0.0001

-

-

-

-

0.0007

0.04

0.001

0.002

<0.0002

0.001

0.008

0.0001

a. Values shown in pale blue boxes are from measurements performed by the FSA.b. Including natural background.c. Excluding natural background (values taken from RIFE-21). Measured concentrations that are smaller than background value are

indicated by a hyphen.d. Year sampled - cauliflower (2013); onion (2014); runner beans (2013); apple (2013); blackcurrants (2012); strawberries (2013);

elderberries (2013); honey (2014).

17

13

17

9.2

13

17

14

17

11

18

17

15

18

26

78

<0.65

6.0

10

2.2

6.0

10

7.0

-

7.0

9.0

8.0

6.0

9.0

17

8.0

<0.26

<0.68

<0.55

<0.68

<0.63

<0.71

<0.29

<0.52

<0.36

<0.47

<1.2

<0.64

<0.63

<0.52

<0.31

0.09

<0.06

<0.06

<0.07

0.13

<0.07

0.07

<0.06

0.39

<0.08

0.11

<0.06

0.15

0.14

<0.06

Table 13. Radioactivity in local waters, 2016

River water:

Lake water:

Tap water:

Spring water:

LocationMean radionuclide concentration (Bq litre-1)

Total alpha Total beta

<0.01

<0.01

<0.06

<0.02

<0.01

<0.01

<0.01

0.02

<0.01

<0.01

<0.01

-

-

-

River Calder at Sellafield

River Calder at Calderbridge

R Ehen, 5m upstream of Factory Sewer outfall

R Ehen, 100m north of pipeline

Ennerdale Water

Wastwater

Domestic water - Calderbridge

Domestic water - Sellafield

Domestic water - Ravenglass

Domestic water - Seascale

Domestic Water - Whitehaven

Sellafield Beach (South)a

Sellafield Beach (Maximum)a

Sellafield Beach (Average)a

3H 90Sr 99Tc 137Cs Pu(α) Am+Cm

0.23

<0.12

0.69

0.19

0.13

0.14

<0.09

<0.07

<0.08

<0.08

<0.08

-

-

-

<3.8

<3.9

<5.4

<3.8

<3.7

<3.9

<3.7

<3.7

<3.7

<3.9

<3.8

59

520

230

0.04

0.003

0.003

0.003

0.009

0.007

0.002

0.002

0.002

0.002

0.002

0.13

-

-

-

-

<0.02

<0.02

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

0.27

2.7

0.95

<0.005

<0.005

0.05

<0.005

<0.004

<0.004

<0.005

<0.005

<0.004

<0.004

<0.005

1.1

-

-

<0.001

<0.0008

<0.001

<0.001

<0.0002

<0.0002

<0.0001

<0.0009

<0.0002

<0.0002

<0.0001

0.01

-

-

<0.001

<0.002

<0.002

<0.001

<0.002

<0.002

<0.0008

<0.001

<0.001

<0.002

<0.002

0.10

-

-

a. Results corrected for seawater content.

Table 14. Non-radioactive monitoring of air in the vicinity of Sellafield, 2016

Calder Gate

Met. Station

North Gate

West Ring Road

South Side

NAQS Objectivea

Mean concentration in air (μg m-3) NO2

9.9

12

11

12

9.3

40

a. National Air Quality Standard (annual mean)9


Table 15. Non-radioactive monitoring of river waters, 2016

River Calder - downstream of site

River Calder - upstream of site

River Ehen - downstream of Seaburn outfall

River Ehen - upstream of pipebridge

EQSa

Location

7.7

7.4

8.2

7.9

6.0 - 9.0

a. National Environmental Quality Standard.

pH mg per litre NO3-

0.87

0.50

0.99

1.1

N/A

Table 16. Non-radioactive monitoring of coastal waters, 2016

St Bees

Sellafield

Seascale Neb

Drigg Barnscar

Location

<0.05

<0.05

<0.05

<0.05

NO2-

mg per litre

0.29

<0.08

0.18

0.09

3.9

4.0

3.7

4.1

NO3- B

Table 17. Non-radioactive monitoring of surface water around Sellafield’s landfill sites, 2016

North Landfill Site and Extension

Stream to north

River Calder upstream A

River Calder upstream B

River Calder downstreama

Calder Landfill Complexb

New Mill Beck upstream

New Mill Beck toad ponds

New Mill Beck overflow drainc

River Calder upstreama

River Calder downstream

Location

7.6

7.5

7.5

7.7

7.9

7.9

7.4

7.7

-

a. The River Calder downstream site for the North Landfill Site and Extension, is the same as the upstream location for the Calder Landfill Complex.

b. Calder Landfill Complex refers to the Calder Tip, Calder Tip Extension and the Calder Landfill Extension Segregated Area (CLESA).c. Sample only available under flood conditions.

pH Temperature(°C)

Conductivity(microS cm-1)

DissolvedO2 (ppm)

NH4+

(mg l-1)

<0.01

<0.006

<0.004

<0.004

<0.12

<0.12

0.39

<0.004

0.05

Chloride(ppm)

C.O.D.(mg l-1)

Suspended Solids (mg l-1)

5.5

4.5

4.5

4.5

6.0

4.5

6.0

4.5

-

230

96

96

100

230

280

180

100

120

10

12

12

12

11

12

11

12

12

22

11

11

12

25

40

19

12

-

22

2.8

3.1

3.7

29

26

47

3.7

8.3

60

1.7

0.46

2.1

7.0

6.9

31

2.1

-

Table 18. Non-radioactive monitoring of gases on Sellafield’s landfill sites, 2016

Gas spike probe monitoringCH4

Mean concentration (% volume)

Calder Landfill Complex

CO2O2

0.0 1.3 19


N

Key:

Coastal radiation surveys

Radiation survey

Silt

Sand

Shore seawater

Coastal biota samples

Seaweed

Mussels

Winkles

Nephrops

Off-shore samples

Fish ( ★ Indicates crabs and lobstersalso taken as available)

Kilometres

0 10 20

BorgueDundrennan Silloth

Allonby

Maryport

Workington

Harrington

Whitehaven

St Bees

NethertownBraystones

SellafieldSeascale

Drigg

Ravenglass

Selker

SilecroftMillom

HaveriggAskham

WalneyIsland

Barrow-in-Furness

Ramsey

Laxey

Isle Of Whithorn

Whithorn

★

★

SellafieldCoastal Area

(N)

SellafieldCoastal Area

(S) Flookburgh

Newbiggin

Figure 1 Marine environmental monitoring around Sellafield


Figure 2 Terrestrial environmental monitoring around Sellafield

Page 24


Figure 2 Terrestrial environmental monitoring around Sellafield

N

0 5

Kilometres

Milk

High Volume Air Samplers

Lake water

River water

Tap water

Grass

Spring water

Vegetables (potatoes)

Note:Gamma dose rates are measured at the site perimeter and at the 7 district HVAS locations.

Key:

Millom

Seascale

Drigg

Ravenglass

SellafieldWastwaterGosforth

CalderbridgeBeckermet

Braystones

St. Bees

Whitehaven

Workington

Ennerdale Water


Figure 3 Terrestrial environmental monitoring at Sellafield

MetStation

West Ring Road

River Ehenupstream ofpipe-bridge

North Gate

River Calder(Calderbridge)

River Calderdownstream

of site

River Ehenupstream of

Factory Sewer outfall

CalderGate

South Side

River water samples

Air samples

Borehole samples

Soil and grass samples

Deposition samples

9118

6909P1

6986P1

6228P1

6920P1

4996P16948P1

6953P1

6979P1

6960P1

10007

10339

6949P1

6951P1739P3


Radiological Impact of Operations at SellafieldAnnual Report 2016


Critical group doses

1 CriticalgroupdoseshavebeencalculatedfollowingthePrinciplesforTotalRetrospectiveDoseAssessment1,whichisconsistentwithlastyear’sreport.In2005severalchangesweremadetothedosecalculationmethodologyinordertomaketheSellafieldLtddosecalculationsmoreconsistentwiththeseprinciples,themethodologyforwhichispresentedintheNDAWGPaper11-032.Thesechangesinmethodologyinclude:

• Milkdoseisbasedonthemeanconcentrationatanearbyfarmwiththehighestindividualresult;

• Theagegroupsconsideredforterrestrialcriticalgroupdosenowincludepre-natal(foetal)dose,whichhasbeencalculatedasanextensiontotheadultdoseassessmentusingrelevantdosecoefficients;

• DoseperunitintakefactorsforingestionandinhalationhavebeentakenfromthelatestvaluespublishedbytheEAandFSA.Thesefactorsdifferfromthoseusedinpreviousreportspriorto2013becausetheyincludethepresenceofshort-liveddaughterradionuclidesassumedtobeinequilibriumwiththeirparentatthetimeofingestion,inhalationetc.;

• TheEAandFSAmethodologydoesnotuseanIrishSeaspecificdoseperunitintakefactorfortechnetium-99inlobsterswhichwasusedinpreviousassessments;and,

• Dosesfrominhaledandingestedtritiumhavebeenassessedusingthemoreconservativedosefactorfororganicallyboundtritium,ratherthanthatfortritiatedwater,whichwasusedinpreviousreports.

Marine pathways

2 Usinghabitssurveys,theFSAhasidentifiedthemarinecriticalgroupforseafoodconsumptionasasmallnumberofpeopleintheCumbriancoastalcommunitywhoarehigh-rateconsumersoffishandshellfishobtainedfromtheSellafieldareabetweenStBeesandSelker.Consumptionandoccupancyratesarekeptunderregularreviewandarepublishedannually3.Inthisreport,theconsumptionratesusedbySellafieldLtdfordoseassessmentpurposes(AppendixA,tableA1)aretakenfromthemostrecentdataprovidedbyFSAforthefiveyears2012-2016withupdatedconsumptionratesforcrustaceansandmolluscsandoccupancyratesfrom2016.Inreportspublishedpriorto2005theconsumptionof‘othermolluscs’wasequallydividedbetweenlimpets,musselsandcockles.Since2005,theyareallascribedtomussels.Forthedoseassessment,“Otherfish”reportedbytheFSAareassumedtobeplaice.

3 ThemarinecriticalgroupisadultmembersconsumingseafoodcaughtlocallybetweenStBeesandSelker(table1).Theestimatedcriticalgroupdosetoadultswasabout57µSvwhichisslightlymorethanwasestimatedin2015(52µSv)andisduetothechangeinthe5-yearrollingaverageconsumptionratesbetween2015and2016.Theannualdosestochild,infantandfoetalmembersofthemarinecriticalgrouparecalculatedtobe

13,6and11µSvrespectively.Theadultcriticalgroupmayalsoreceivedosesfromotherpathways,suchasinhalationandconsumptionofagriculturalproduce.Anassessmenthasshownthatthesewouldincreasethedosebyabout2µSv.Thedosesfromtheconsumptionofmolluscsarelikelytobeoverestimatedbecausenoaccounthasbeentakenoftheeffectsoffoodpreparationprocedures,suchasthesoakingofwinklestoeliminatetheirgutcontentswhichcontainmostoftheactinideradioactivity(adsorbedontosiltparticles).Dosestotypicalfish-eatingmembersofthepublicwere,asusual,verylow(1.1µSv).DosestoconsumersassociatedwiththeWhitehavenfisheryremainedsimilartolastyear(11µSv).

4 Figures1,2and3showdosestothemarinecriticalgroupfromseafood(forradionuclidescontributingthehighestproportionsofdose)againsttheconsumptionrateofthesefoods.Consumptionofwinkleshasfalleninthelastsixyears.Thishasresultedinareductionindosefromplutonium-alphaandamericium-241,despitestabledischargesoftheseradionuclidesandconcentrationsinwinklesfrom2010.Consumptionofmusselsincreasedsteadilybetweenthemid1990sandmid2000s.Thereforethisresultedinanincreaseddoseupto2006fromplutonium-alphaandamericium-241,despitestabledischargesandconcentrationsoftheseradionuclidesinmussels.Since2006/7thedosehasfallensharplyduetoacombinationofreducedconsumptionandreducedplutonium-alphaconcentrationinmussels.Contrarytomussels,theconsumptionofNephrops hasrisensteadilysince2011toahighestrecordedratein2016of14.4kgy-1(figure3).ThisrisehasresultedinthedosecontributionfromNephrops nowbeingsimilartothedosecontributedfromtheconsumptionofmussels(table1).ThereisparticularinterestastohowthemusselandNephrops consumptiontrendsfareinthenextfewyears.

5 Figure4showsthecontributionofindividualradionuclidestothemarinecriticalgroup’sdose.Overthelast17yearsthemaincontributorstomarinedosehavebeenamericium-241,plutonium-alphaandtechnetium-99.Thedecreaseindoseinthelastdecadehaslargelybeencausedbyareductionintechnetium-99doseresultingfromdecreasedtechnetium-99dischargesand,morerecently,fromreducedconsumptionofmolluscsleadingtoloweractinidedose.

6 Figure5showsthecontributionofindividualfoodstuffstothemarinecriticalgroup’sdose.Overthelast17yearsthemaincontributorstomarinedosehavebeenfrommussels,winkles,Nephrops andlobster.Variationsintheproportionofdosefromeachfoodreflectchangesinbothconsumptionrateandradionuclideconcentrations.In2016,forthefirsttime,Nephropscontributedasimilardosetothecriticalgroupasmussels.Dosestoadult,child,infantandfoetalmembersofthecriticalgroup,throughtheconsumptionofseafood,aresummarisedinAppendixB,TableB9.

7 TheFSAandtheEA3,4continuetokeepunderreviewtheamountoftimespentbymembersofthepubliconinter-tidalareasofthecoastlineborderingthenorth-eastIrishSeaandmoreinlandlocations.Inparticularitwasconsideredthatmembersofthe


criticalgroupreceivedanexternalcontributiontotheirradiationexposurefromspendingupto900hourseachyearonlocalbeaches(PartontoEskmeals)for2012-2016.Thisadditionaldosewasestimatedtobe49µSvusingthe900hoursbeachoccupancyhabitdata.

8 PHE5,6continuestokeepunderreviewthenumbersandradionuclidecontentofparticlesthataredetectedbymonitoringonbeachesneartheSellafieldsite.However,PHEadvisedtheEAin20126thatnospecialprecautionaryactionswerenecessaryregardingaccessto,oruseof,thesebeaches.

Airborne and terrestrial pathways

9 ForsomeyearsSellafieldLtdhasusedconsumptionratesobtainedfromtheapproachusedbyPHE7,wherebydoseassessmentsarecarriedouttoestablishwhichfoodstuffscontributethemaximumdoseathighercriticalgroupconsumptionrates.Usingthisprocess,thetwofoodgroupsidentifiedasmakingthehighestcontributiontodoseareassignedcriticalgroup(higher)consumptionrates.Theremainderareassignednationalmeanconsumptionrates.

Thetwofoodgroupsassignedatcriticalgroupratesinrecentyearshavebeen:

• milkanddomesticfruitin2010and2013;

• milkandgreenvegetablesin2011;

• milkandpotatoesin2012;

• milkandrootvegetablesin2014;and,

• beefandrootvegetablesin2015.

For2016thesetwofoodgroupsaredomesticfruitandpotatoes(AppendixB,tableB10).Theconsumptionratesusedfor2016aresummarisedinAppendixA,tableA2.Inadditiontochangesinfoodconsumptionrates,SellafieldLtdhasadoptedthegenericadviceofPHEonparametersrelatingtoexternalradiationpathways(AppendixA,tableA3)8,9.Inpreviousyears,thedosefromterrestrialfoodstuffshasbeenbasedonlyonthefoodssampledbySellafieldLtdandFSAinthatyear.Inthedoseassessmentreportedhere,where2016datawerenotcollected,themostrecentdataavailablewereused.

10 Thedosesfromruthenium-106inallterrestrialfoodstuffs,(showninAppendixB,tableB10),areassessedusingstandardmodellingtechniques8,10,11 (asusedbyPHEandothers)whicharebasedonknowledgeofthetransferoftheseradionuclidesthroughthefoodchain.Thisisconsideredtobemorerealisticthanusingthelimitsofdetectionfromtheradiochemicalanalysis.

11 Thisyearisthethirdyearinmanywheremilkisnotamajorcontributortotheterrestrialcriticalgroupdose(seeparagraph13).Thedosetocriticalgroupadultsfromtheconsumptionofmilkis0.34µSvwhereasfromallfoodstuffsis4.9µSv.Thehigherdosecontributionstoadultswere1.2µSvfromdomesticfruitand0.99µSvfrompotatoes(table2).Basedontheaverageconcentrationsofradioactivityreportedinairandinterrestrialfoodstuffs(Monitoringchapter,tables8to12and13),adultswouldhavereceivedanestimateddoseof4.9µSv(4.5,4.1and3.5µSvforchildren,infantsandfoetuses)fromallterrestrial

foodstuffsand1.0µSv(0.54,0.29and0.02µSvforchildren,infantsandfoetuses)frominhalation.DetaileddataareprovidedinAppendixB,tableB10andsummarisedintables2,3and4.Dosesassessedasbeinglessthan0.001µSvhavebeenpresentedas“<0.001”.

12 Figure6andAppendixB,tableB11showthatbetween1999and2013,themainradionuclidescontributingtodosesfromconsumptionandinhalationarestrontium-90,iodine-129andcaesium-137(alldominatedbyconsumption).Thisisstillthecasefor2014to2016andanadditiontothisgroupisamericium-241.Thisisadirectresultofthecriticalgroupmemberofinterestchangingfrominfant(1999–2013)toadult(2014–present).Dosesfromstrontium-90,caesium-137andamericium-241aredominatedbypre-1980discharges,thetestingofnuclearweaponsinthe1960sand(forcaesium-137)theChernobylaccidentin1986.Therelativeproportionsofradionuclidesinrecentyearscanlargelybeexplainedbychangesinreprocessingratesandimprovementsintheanalyticallimitsofdetection.

13 Figure7showsthecontributionofindividualfoodstuffstotheterrestrialcriticalgroup’sdose.Between2002and2013thehighestcriticalgroupdosewasestimatedtobereceivedbyinfantsandhencetheterrestrialdosewasdominatedbymilkconsumption.In2014to2016,thehighestterrestrialcriticalgroupdosewasestimatedtobereceivedbyadults.Thischangehasbeenaconsequenceofthereductionindosereceivedbyinfantsfrommilkconsumptionandtheincreaseddosereceivedbyadultsfromdirectradiation(paragraph17).Infigure7,thedomesticfruitcontributioniscontainedwithinthegreen‘Otherfoodstuffs’sections.

14 Membersoftheterrestrialcriticalgroupalsoreceivedadoseofupto3.9µSv,arisingfrommarinepathways.Thisdosecontainedanexternalcomponent(upto2.8µSv)fromradioactivitydepositedonlocalbeaches,basedonanaveragebeachoccupancyofterrestrialpracticespublishedbytheEAandFSAof41hours,andaninternalcomponent(1.1,0.25,0.11,0.90µSvrespectivelytoadults,children,infantsandfoetuses)fromanassumedconsumptionoflocallycaughtfish(table3andinmoredetailinAppendixB,tableB12).Itistheexternaldosecomponentforadultsin2016thatmaintainstheterrestrialcriticalgroupmemberbeingadultsince2014.

15 Inadditiontoexposurefromtheconsumptionoflocalproduce,thecriticalgroupalsoreceivesexposurefromimmersioninaplumecontainingkrypton-85dischargedfromthereprocessingplants.Thedosesin2016toadults,children,infantsandfoetuseslivingneartoSellafieldwouldhavebeenrespectively0.40,0.28,0.28and0.40µSvusingmodellinganddosimetrydatapublishedbytheEUandtheICRP10,11 (table3).

16 Thedosestotheterrestrialcriticalgrouparesummarisedintable3.Ifalltheabovepathwaysareconsideredtobeadditive,thehighest2016dose,of10.3µSv,wastoadults.Thedosetochild,infantandfoetuswerelowerat7.0,4.9and7.6µSvrespectively.Thechangestothedoseassessment


methodology(paragraph1)arethereasonthattheterrestrialdosesreportedafter2005increased.ThesedosesarehoweverconsiderablylowerthaninearlieryearswhentheCalderHallreactorswereoperational.Thereductionindosefrom2009isaconsequenceofchangesinfarmingpractice,withthosefarmsclosesttotheSellafieldsiteceasingmilkproduction.

Direct radiation

17 Membersoftheterrestrialcriticalgrouparealsoexposedtodirectradiation.DuetotheclosureofCalderHallinMarch2003(Monitoring:paragraph28),directradiationdosestolocalresidentshavereducedsignificantly.Therewasachangeinmethodologyfromrecentyearsinthehabitassumptionsmadein2016.Theupperboundofthedoserangetoadultslivingclosesttothesitehasbeenassessedtobe5.4µSv.

Collective doses18 Collectivedosesresultingfromtheeffectsof

dischargesfromSellafieldin2016,integratedover500years,havebeencalculatedinaccordancewithparagraphs18to21ofAppendixAandIntroductionparagraph30.Theresults(table5)givecollectivedosecommitments(combinedaerialandmarine)ofabout2.4manSvtotheUKpopulation,8.6manSvtotheEuropeanpopulation(includingtheUK)and66manSvtotheworldpopulation.

19 MostofthecollectivedosecommitmentfromSellafielddischargesresultsfromcarbon-14becauseofitslongradioactivehalf-life(5730years)anditsincorporationintotheglobalcarboncycle.However,concentrationsofcarbon-14intheatmospherewhichareattributabletoSellafieldareindistinguishablefromnaturallyoccurringbackgroundconcentrationsatdistancefromthesite.ThenaturalbackgroundresultsincollectivedosesthataremanyordersofmagnitudehigherthanthedosesresultingfromSellafield’sdischarges.Thisreflectsthefactthatnaturalsourcesofradiationconstitutethelargestsourceofpublicradiationexposureonanationalorglobalscale12.

Dose summary

20 Theestimateddosein2016duetodischargestoseafromSellafieldtomembersofthecriticalgroupwhoconsumefishandshellfishfromthelocalareawasabout57µSv(table1).Takingintoaccountdosesduetobeachoccupancyandaerialpathways,thetotaldosetothisgroupwasabout110µSv,similarto2015.Dosesduetodirectradiationfromplantsonsitewereestimatedasbeing5.4µSvtothemostexposedmembersofthepublicwholivenearby.Thisissimilarto2015duetothesamecalculationmethodologybeingappliedbetweenyears.Thisgroupmay,inaddition,havereceivedupto10.3µSvfromaerialdischargepathways.

Radiological impact perspective

21 IntheirmostrecentreviewofionisingradiationexposuretotheUKpopulation13,PHEprovidedinformationrelatingtothedosereceivedduetocosmicradiationfromreturnflightstopopularglobaldestinationsfromtheUK.Typicallyareturnflighttimeof2.5hours,e.g.areturnflighttoParis,providesanexposureof10μSv,greaterthantheannualdosereceivedbyaterrestrialcriticalgroupmemberinthevicinityofSellafieldfromauthoriseddischarges.Areturnflightof24hours,e.g.toCapeTownorTokyo,providesanexposureof100μSv,similartotheannualdosereceivedbyamarinecriticalgroupmember.

22 ThereareothertypicalpracticesintheUKthatresultinionisingradiationexposuresimilartotheratesabove.Atypicalindividualdoseof80μSvy-1isreceivedthroughtheuseofconventionalradiology(includingdentalexaminations)13.

23 SuchcomparisonsprovideaninterestingperspectiveinthatsomeroutineactivitiesoftheUKpublic(e.g.flyingabroadonholidays,receivingmedicalanddentalx-rays),resultinasmuchionisingradiationexposuretothatreceivedbythemarineandterrestrialcriticalgroupmembersinthevicinityoftheSellafieldsitein2016.


References

1. AllottR(2005)Principles for the assessment of total retrospective public doses,NDAWG/2/2005.EnvironmentAgency,FoodStandardsAgency,NRPB,NII,Chilton

2. NDAWGPaper11-03(2007)Use of measurements in determining retrospective dose assessments in RIFE

3. GarrodCJandClyneFJ(2017).Radiological habits survey: Sellafield review, 2016.EnvironmentReportRL03/17.CEFAS,Lowestoft(undercontracttotheEAandtheFSA).

4. EnvironmentAgency,FoodStandardsAgency,FoodStandardsScotland,NaturalResourcesWales,NorthernIrelandEnvironmentAgencyandScottishEnvironmentProtectionAgency(2016).Radioactivity in food and the environment, 2015.RIFE-21.EA,FSA,FSS,NRW,NIEAandSEPA;Preston,London,Aberdeen,Cardiff,BelfastandStirling.

5. HealthProtectionAgency(2011).Centre for Radiation, Chemical and Environmental Hazards. Letter to Mr S Page, Environment Agency from Dr J Cooper, Director for Centre of Radiation, Chemical and Environmental Hazards, Health Protection Agency.HealthProtectionAgency,Oxfordshire.

6. EtheringtonG,YoungmanMJ,BrownJandOatwayW(2012).Evaluation of the Groundhog Synergy beach monitoring system for detection of alpha-rich objects and implications for the health risks to beach users,HPA-CRCE-038.

7. ByromJ,RobinsonCA,SimmondsJR,WaltersBandTaylorRR(1995).Food consumption rates for use in generalised radiological dose assessments.J.Radiol.Prot.15(4):335-342.

8. CabiancaT,FayersCA,MayallA,RobinsonCAandSimmondsJR(1995).Peer review of BNFL radiological assessment methodologies.NRPBReportM815.

9. SmithKRandJonesAL(2003).Generalised habit data for radiological assessments.NRPBReportW41.

10. SimmondsJRetal.(1995).Methodology for assessing the consequences of routine releases to the environment. EUR15760.OfficeforthePublicationoftheEuropeanCommunities.

11. InternationalCommissiononRadiologicalProtection(1996).Age-dependent doses to members of the public from intakes of radionuclides: Part 5. Compilation of ingestion and inhalation dose coefficients.ICRPPublication72.Ann.ICRP26(1).

12. WatsonSJ,JonesAL,OatwayWBandHughesJS(2005).Ionising radiation exposure of the UK population: 2005 Review. HealthProtectionAgencyReportHPA-RPD-001,HMSO,London.

13 Oatway,WB,Jones,AL,Holmes,S,Watson,SandCabianca,T(2016).Ionising radiation exposure of the UK population: 2010 review.PublicHealthEnglandReportPHE-CRCE-026,CrownCopyright.


Table 1. Summary of adult doses associated with marine discharges (μSv), 2016

Radionuclide Cod Plaice Lobster Crab Nephrops Winkles Mussels

Carbon-14

Cobalt-60

Strontium-90

Technetium-99

Ruthenium-106

Antimony-125

Iodine-129

Caesium-137

Neptunium-237

Plutonium-alpha

Plutonium-241

Americium-241

Curium-alpha

Total for species

Total for group

0.64

-

-

0.003

0.03

-

-

0.86

-

0.01

-

0.01

-

1.6

1.3

-

-

0.05

0.05

-

-

0.88

-

0.07

-

0.08

-

2.4

0.53

-

-

0.86

-

-

0.80

0.17

-

0.41

-

2.3

-

5.1

0.55

0.006

0.02

0.03

0.11

-

-

0.08

-

0.59

-

1.8

-

3.2

57

0.53

-

-

0.42

-

-

-

0.24

-

2.1

-

7.8

-

11

0.27

0.02

0.48

0.27

0.26

0.005

0.11

0.57

0.009

7.6

0.66

11

0.12

21

0.23

0.007

0.07

0.19

0.09

0.002

0.04

0.10

0.004

4.4

0.46

6.8

0.03

12

Total for radionuclide

4.0

0.04

0.58

1.8

0.54

0.007

0.96

2.9

0.01

15

1.1

29

0.15

57


Tabl

e 2.

Sum

mar

y of

adu

lt do

ses

asso

ciat

ed w

ith a

eria

l dis

char

ges

(μSv

), 20

16

Radi

onuc

lide

Milk

Tota

l trit

ium

Carb

on-1

4

Coba

lt-60

Stro

ntiu

m-9

0

Tech

netiu

m-9

9

Ruth

eniu

m-1

06

Antim

ony-

125

iodi

ne-1

29

Iodi

ne-1

31

Caes

ium

-134

Caes

ium

-137

Plut

oniu

m-a

lpha

Plut

oniu

m-2

41

Amer

icium

-241

Tota

l for

item

Tota

l for

gro

up

Beef

M

uscl

eBe

ef

Of

fal

Shee

p M

uscl

eSh

eep

Offa

lPo

ultry

Eggs

Gam

eHo

ney

Mus

hroo

mPo

tato

Root

Ve

geta

bles

Gree

n Ve

geta

bles

Dom

estic

Fr

uit

Wild

Fru

itLe

gum

esDr

inki

ng

Wat

erIn

hala

tion

Tota

l for

ra

dion

uclid

e

0.01

0.03 -

0.09 -

<0.0

01

0.01

0.10

0.00

1

-

0.10 - - -

0.34

0.00

8

-

0.00

3

0.02

<0.0

01

<0.0

01

0.00

2

0.03 -

0.02

0.04

<0.0

01

0.02

<0.0

01

0.15

<0.0

01 -

<0.0

01

0.00

4

<0.0

01

<0.0

01

<0.0

01

0.00

6

-

0.00

2

0.00

3

<0.0

01

0.00

3

<0.0

01

0.03

0.00

2

-

0.00

2

0.01

<0.0

01

<0.0

01

0.00

1

0.02 -

0.01

0.23

<0.0

01

0.00

8

<0.0

01

0.29

<0.0

01

0.00

9

<0.0

01

0.00

4

<0.0

01

<0.0

01

<0.0

01

0.00

6

-

0.00

3

0.03

0.00

5

0.00

4

0.00

4

0.07

0

<0.0

01 -

0.00

2

0.02

0.00

1

<0.0

01

0.00

1

0.07 -

0.01

0.01

0.00

2

0.02

<0.0

01

0.14

0.00

2

-

0.00

1

0.01 -

<0.0

01

<0.0

01

0.03 -

0.00

8

0.00

4

<0.0

01

0.00

9

<0.0

01

0.07

0.00

3

0.01

0.00

2

0.00

9

<0.0

01

<0.0

01

<0.0

01

0.02 -

0.00

9

0.21

<0.0

01

0.00

9

<0.0

01

0.27

<0.0

01

0.01

<0.0

01

0.00

3

-

<0.0

01

<0.0

01

0.00

6

-

0.00

1

0.00

2

<0.0

01

0.00

3

<0.0

01

0.03

<0.0

01

0.01

<0.0

01

0.00

5

-

<0.0

01

<0.0

01

0.00

7

-

0.00

2

0.02

0.02

0.00

3

0.02

0.09

0.01

0.05

0.02

0.11 -

<0.0

01

0.02

0.26 -

0.14

0.14

0.02

0.21

0.01

0.99

0.00

1

0.04

0.00

2

0.04

<0.0

01

<0.0

01

0.00

1

0.03 -

0.01

0.01 - - -

0.14

0.00

1

0.05

0.00

4

0.04 -

<0.0

01

0.00

2

0.04 -

0.02

0.01

<0.0

01

0.01

<0.0

01

0.18

0.00

9

0.33

0.03

0.20 -

<0.0

01

0.02

0.33 -

0.10

0.08

0.01

0.03

0.02 1.2

0.00

1

0.05

0.00

2

0.03

<0.0

01

<0.0

01

0.00

1

0.05 -

0.01

0.01

0.00

5

0.00

7

0.00

6

0.17

0.00

2

-

0.00

4

0.20 -

<0.0

01

0.00

2

0.13 -

0.02

0.02

0.00

2

-

0.00

3

0.38

0.09 - -

0.04 - - - - - -

0.04

0.05 -

0.16

0.38

- - -

0.00

3

-

0.00

9

0.00

1

- -

<0.0

01

<0.0

01

0.41

0.24

0.35 1.0

0.14

0.59

0.08

0.84

0.00

8

0.03

0.07 1.1

0.00

1

0.37

0.96

0.53

0.58

0.58 5.9

5.9


Table 4. Critical group doses from operations at Sellafield (μSv)

Marine critical group (adults)

seafood consumption

aerial pathways

external radiation from beach occupancy (marine)

Total dose to marine critical group (adults)

Terrestrial critical group (adults)

inhalation

immersion

external radiation from beach occupancy (terrestrial)

terrestrial foodstuff consumption

marine foodstuff consumption

direct radiation

Total dose to terrestrial critical group (adults)

Pathway 2015 2016

52

2.2

46

100

0.58

0.63

0.1

6.0

1.2

5.4

14

57

2.0

49

110

1.0

0.40

2.8

4.9

1.1

5.4

16

Table 5. Collective doses from Sellafield’s discharges, 2016

Tritium

Carbon-14

Krypton-85

Technetium-99

Iodine-129

Caesium-137

Plutonium-alpha

Americium-241

Other nuclides

Total

RadionuclideCollective Dose (manSv)

UK Europe WorldAerial Discharges Marine Discharges

0.08

0.09

0.38

-

0.58

0.002

0.02

0.002

0.002

1.2

0.15

0.45

1.3

-

2.7

0.007

0.02

0.003

0.003

4.7

0.19

5.6

23

-

3.8

0.007

0.02

0.003

0.003

32

0.0009

0.97

-

0.005

0.01

0.06

0.05

0.03

0.10

1.2

0.004

3.2

-

0.01

0.03

0.15

0.15

0.09

0.29

3.9

UK Europe World0.07

33

-

0.02

0.11

0.26

0.18

0.10

0.33

34

Table 3. Summary of doses to the terrestrial critical group (μSv), 2016

Food consumption:

terrestrial foods

marine foods

Inhalation:

Immersion:

Krypton-85

Externala

Total

Pathway Adult Child Infant Foetus

4.9

1.1

1.0

0.40

2.8

10

4.5

0.25

0.54

0.28

1.4

7.0

4.1

0.11

0.29

0.28

0.08

4.9

3.5

0.90

0.02

0.40

2.8

7.6

a. Taken from RIFE-22, data from 2016 Total Dose assessment. Foetus set equal to Adult.


Figure 1 Dose to marine critical group from Pu-alpha and Am-241 in winkles and consumption rate

Figure 2 Dose to marine critical group from Pu-alpha and Am-241 in mussels and consumption rate

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

50

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

16

18

20

1990 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 2012 2014 2016

Dose

(µSv

)

Cons

umpt

ion

rate

(kg/

year

)

Year

Figure 1. Dose to marine critical group from Pu-alpha and Am-241 in winkles and consumption rate

Winkle Consumption rate

Dose - Pu-alpha

Dose - Am-241

Page 54 Fig 2 muss

Page 1

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

16

18

20

1993 1995 1997 1999 2001 2003 2005 2007 2009 2011 2013 2015

Dose

(µSv

)

Cons

umpt

ion

rate

(kg/

year

)

Year

Figure 2. Dose to marine critical group from Pu-alpha and Am-241 in mussels and consumption rate

Mussels Consumption rate

Dose - Pu-alpha

Dose - Am-241


Figure 3 Dose to marine critical group from Pu-alpha and Am-241 in Nephrops and consumption rate

Figure 4 Marine Critical Group Dose (Adult) (Consumption pathways) by Radionuclide

0

50

100

150

200

250

1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016

Dose

(µSv

)

Year

Marine Critical Group Dose (Adult) (Consumption pathways) by Nuclide

Others

Americium-241

Plutonium-241

Plutonium alpha

Technetium-99

Carbon-14

0

50

100

150

200

250

1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016

Dose

(µSv

)

Year

Marine Critical Group Dose (Adult) (Consumption pathways) by Nuclide

Others

Americium-241

Plutonium-241

Plutonium alpha

Technetium-99

Carbon-14

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

16

18

20

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

16

18

20

1995 1997 1999 2001 2003 2005 2007 2009 2011 2013 2015

Dose

(µSv

)

Cons

umpt

ion

rate

(kg/

year

)

Year

Figure 3. Dose to marine critical group from Pu-alpha and Am-241 in Nephrops and consumption rate

Nephrops Consumption rate

Dose - Pu-alpha

Dose - Am-241


Figure 5 Marine Critical Group Dose (Adult) by Pathways

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016

Dose

(µSv

)

Year

Marine Critical Group Dose (Adult) by Pathways

External radiation frombeach occupancy

Aerial pathways

Mussels & Other Molluscs

Winkles

Nephrops

Crab

Lobster

Plaice

Cod

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016

Dose

(µSv

)

Year

Marine Critical Group Dose (Adult) by Pathways

External radiation frombeach occupancy

Aerial pathways

Mussels & Other Molluscs

Winkles

Nephrops

Crab

Lobster

Plaice

Cod

Figure 6 Terrestrial Critical Group Dose (Consumption pathways) by Radionuclide

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016

Dose

(µSv

)

Year

Terrestrial Critical Group Dose (Consumption pathways) by Nuclide

OthersAmericium-241Caesium-137Iodine-131Iodine-129Ruthenium-106Technetium-99Strontium-90Carbon-14

AdultInfant

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016

Dose

(µSv

)

Year

Terrestrial Critical Group Dose (Consumption pathways) by Nuclide

OthersAmericium-241Caesium-137Iodine-131Iodine-129Ruthenium-106Technetium-99Strontium-90Carbon-14

AdultInfant


Figure 7 Terrestrial Critical Group by Pathways

0

10

20

30

40

50

2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016

Dose

(µ S

v)

Year

Terrestrial Critical Group Dose by Pathways

Direct radiation

Other Discharge Pathways

Inhalation

Other foodstuffs

Potatoes

Milk

AdultInfant

0

10

20

30

40

50

2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016

Dose

(µ S

v)

Year

Terrestrial Critical Group Dose by Pathways

Direct radiation

Other Discharge Pathways

Inhalation

Other foodstuffs

Potatoes

Milk

AdultInfant


Appendix ADischarges and Environmental MonitoringAnnual Report 2016Dosimetric considerations for individual and collective doses


Critical group doses1 Akeyconceptforassessmentofdosetothepublic

isthe‘criticalgroup’:theindividualmembersofapopulationwhocanrealisticallybeexpectedtoreceivethehighestdoseduetotheirlifestyle,locationandhabits1,2.Thistermisequivalenttotheterm‘representativeperson’,usedbytheICRP3,4.Adescriptionofthe‘representativeperson’approachusingrecentmonitoringdataisgiveninAppendixC.Thedosetomembersofacriticalgroupisassessedasthemeanofthesumsofcommittedeffectivedosesfromintakesofradionuclidesduringtheyearandtheireffectivedosesfromexternalirradiation(seeIntroductionparagraph28).ThesesumsareforconveniencetermedEffectiveDoses(seeGlossary).Effectivedosesarecalculatedbycombiningdoseperunitintakedatawithestimatesofannualradionuclideintakebyingestionandinhalation,takingintoaccountallrelevantpathways,suchasconsumptionofspecificfoodsathighratesandinhalationduringoccupancyofcertainareas5,6.

2 Indeterminingthecriticalgroupappropriatetoaparticularsite,itisrecognisedthattherelativedosesfromdifferentpathwayswilldependonthehabitsofparticulargroupsofindividuals.Suchdosesshouldbesummedasrequiredtoobtainthecriticalgroupdose.Thereforeahighrateconsumerofseafoodmayreceiveonlyaminorexposureviapathwayssuchasmilkconsumptionorproximitytothesiteperimeter.Foranothergroup,consumptionoflocallyproducedmeatandmilkmaycombinetoresultinanelevatedexposure.Accordingly,itiscommonpracticetodefineexposuregroupsintermsofadominantpathwayorhabit(e.g.seafoodconsumers,boatdwellers,anglers,inhalationpathwaysetc.).Forsimplicity,thesemayattimesbereferredtointhisreportas‘criticalgroups’,althoughstrictlyspeakingPHE2definesonlythemostexposedgroupatanygiventimeasthecriticalgroup.

3 Thisreportfocusesmainlyondosestomembersofcriticalgroups;thesmallgroupsofpeoplethataremostexposedtoradiationfromtheSellafieldLtdsite.Thedosesreceivedbytherestofthepopulation,fromoperationsatSellafieldLtdsite,willbeverymuchlessthanthosereceivedbycriticalgroups.

4 Detailsofthecriticalgroupconsumptionhabitsusedinthis2016reportaregivenintableA1(seafoodconsumption)andtableA2(terrestrialfoodconsumption).OtherdetailsrelatingtothecalculationofplumeimmersionandinhalationdosearegivenintableA3.

Critical group dose limits and constraints5 UKdoselimitsandconstraints,whichareapplicable

tocontrolledreleasesofradioactivity,arebasedonthe‘1990Recommendations’oftheICRP1inwhichitreviewedthequantitiesusedinradiologicalprotection,thebiologicaleffectsofradiationrelevanttoradiologicalprotection,theconceptualframeworkofradiologicalprotectionandrecommendationsondoselimitation.Undertheserecommendations,theprimarydosequantitywasredefinedaseffectivedose(seeparagraph1andtheGlossary),takingintoaccount‘weightingfactors’whichreflectthesensitivityofdifferentbodyorganstoinductionof

cancerfollowingexposuretoradiation.Formembersofthepublic,theICRPrecommendedanannuallimitoneffectivedoseof1000µSv.

6 The‘1990Recommendations’alsoplacedemphasisontheoptimisationofradiologicalprotection(seeparagraph21)andontheconceptofsource-relatedrestrictionsonindividualdose,relatingtotheoptimisationprocess,termed‘doseconstraints’.Adoseconstraintisanupperboundontheannualdosetotheoverallcriticalgroup,summedoverallexposurepathways,fromtheplannedoperationofacontrolledsource1.Doseconstraintsmayintroduceadditionalrestrictionswithintheoveralldoselimit.

7 In1993,thethenNationalRadiologicalProtectionBoard(NRPB)publishedguidancebasedonICRP’s‘1990Recommendations’andrecommendedthatforproposednewcontrolledsources,themaximumdoseconstraintshouldbe300µSvperyear2.Constraintslowerthanthiscouldbesetwheresuchdosesarereadilyachievable.Existingfacilitiesareexpectedtooperatewithintheappropriateconstraintsbutwhereitisnotpossibletocomplywiththerecommendeddoseconstraint,PHEadvisethattheoperatingregimebereviewedwiththeregulatorybodytoensurethatdosesare‘aslowasreasonablyachievable’.Exposuresarisingfrompastcontrolledreleasesshouldbeincludedinanycomparisonwiththe1000µSvdoselimitbutnotincomparisonwiththedoseconstraintof300µSv.PHEadviceincludesthecaveatthatdosesshouldinanycasebebelowthe1000µSvlimitonannualdose.

8 The1000µSvdoselimitwasincorporatedintotheEuratomBasicStandardsDirective1996andimplementedinUKlawthroughRadioactiveSubstances(BasicSafetyStandards)Direction2000(Introductionparagraph12).MinistershavedirectedtheEA,whendischargingtheirdutiesunderRSA1993,toensurethattheDirectivelimitonannualdosetothepublicisnotexceeded,andthatamaximumsourceconstraintof300µSvandasiteconstraintof500µSvareappliedforauthorisingradioactivedischarges.Theannualdoselimitof1000µSvshouldbecomparedwiththesumofdosesfromthesites,fromdischargesfromallothersourcesandfromanyhistoricalaccumulationofradionuclidesintheenvironmentfrompastdischarges.

Critical group dose considerations9 Radionuclidestakenintothebody,eitherbyingestion

orbyinhalation,causeexposurebothtothelocaltissueandtothewholebody.Forthepurposesofdosimetry,monitoringandcontrol,itisthewhole-bodyexposurewhichisoftenofprimeconcern.Theactualexposurewilldependonmanyfactors,suchasthesolubilityoftheradionuclideanditscharacteristicretentiontimeinthebody.

10 ThedosecoefficientsintablesA4andA5reflectthemostrecentadviceoftheICRP7.Theyrepresentthecommittedeffectivedose(CED)thatwouldbeincurredbyanindividualuptotheageof70yearsfollowingtheuptakeofaunitamountofaradionuclide.Sincebiokineticbehaviour(andhencedoseincurred)maychangewithage,differingvaluesarepresenteddependingontheageoftheindividualatthetimeofintake.Themethodsandparameter


valuesusedfortheradiologicalassessmentsgenerallyfollowthevaluesandrelationshipsgiveninAnnexesIIandIIItotheCouncilDirective96/29/Euratomof13May1996.

11 Indeterminingthedosearisingfromingestionofmaterialcontainingradioactivity,itisnecessarytoconsiderthefractionoftheradioactivitywhichislikelytobeabsorbedacrossthewallofthegastro-intestinaltract.Suchabsorptionisreferredtoasthegutuptakefactor(f1)andvarieswiththephysicalandchemicalformoftheradionuclideandwiththemetabolismandphysiologyoftheindividual.Ingeneral,younginfantsabsorbsomemolecularspeciesmorereadilythanolderchildrenoradultsandf1valuestendtobecorrespondinglylargerforinfantsinanumberofcases.Ingeneral,moresolubleelementssuchascaesiumortritiumtendtobeabsorbedmorereadilythanlesssolubleelements,suchasplutonium,acrossallageranges.

12 Withrespecttointakesofradionuclidesbyingestion,anumberofstudies8,9,10haveestablishedmoreappropriategutuptakevaluesfortheactinidespresentinwinklesandothermolluscsintheSellafieldareaforuseincriticalgroupstudies.Forwinkles,thesevalueshavebeenendorsedbyPHE11andsupportedbyotherstudies12.ThesevaluesarepresentedhereandareusedinthisreporttoestimatedosesarisingfromconsumingwinklesfromtheWestCumbriancoast.ForseafoodotherthanwinklesclosetoSellafield,PHEconsidersthatusingaguttransferfactorof0.0005forbothplutoniumandamericiumwillnotleadtounderestimatesofcriticalgroupdoses10,13.TheseapproachesareconsistentwiththedoseassessmentsperformedwithinRIFE-2114.

13 DoseperunitintakevaluesfortheinhalationofradionuclidesarederivedfromthemostrecentrecommendationsofICRP1,7.Thedosefollowingintakeofradionuclidesbyinhalationdependsuponanumberoffactorsinadditiontotheradioactivepropertiesofthenuclide(s)involved.Importantfactorsincludetheparticlesizeoftheinhaledmaterial(whichinfluencestheextentanddistributionofdepositionwithintherespiratorytract)andtherateatwhichdepositedmaterialcanbeabsorbedintobodyfluidswithintherespiratorytractandsubsequentlyentergeneralsystemiccirculation.Asignificantproportionofparticulatematerialdepositedintherespiratorytractiscleareddirectlyviathegastro-intestinaltractinswallowedmucus,thereforetheproportionofthisswallowedmaterialwhichisabsorbedacrossthegutwallalsoinfluencesthedose.Regardingparticlesize,ICRPrecommendsthecalculationofdosestomembersofthepublicassuminganactivitymedianaerodynamicdiameterof1micron(10-6m)fortheinhaledmaterial7.Formostradionuclides,thismaximisestheresultingdosebymaximisingdepositioninthealveolarregionoftherespiratorytract.

14 ICRPhasderivedastandardclassificationforinhaledmaterial(the‘lungabsorptiontype’)basedontherateofabsorptionofdifferentchemicalformsofradionuclidesintobodyfluids.TheseabsorptiontypesaredenotedasV,F,MandS,typeVbeingthemostrapidlyabsorbedandtypeStheslowest.ForeachabsorptiontypeICRPrecommendsanappropriate

factor(the‘f1value’)forthefractionofswallowedmaterialwhichisabsorbedthroughthegutwall.

15 ICRPhasprovidedcalculatedvaluesforthecommittedeffectivedosetomembersofthepublicofdifferentages,forinhalationofairborneparticleswithamediandiameterof1micronforalltheradionuclidesofrelevancetothisreport7.Severalvaluesaregenerallycitedforeachradionuclide,reflectingtherangeofabsorptiontypeswhichmaybeencountered.However,formostradionuclides,ICRPrecommendsadefaultabsorptiontypewhichmaybeassumedintheabsenceofspecificinformationaboutabsorptionbehaviour;inmostcasesthedoseperunitintakevaluescorrespondingtothosedefaultabsorptiontypesareusedinthedoseassessmentsinthisreport.Forsomeradionuclides,ICRPdoesnotspecifyadefaultabsorptiontypeandintheseinstancestheabsorptiontypeproducingthehighestvalueofdoseperunitintakeisassumedfordoseassessments.

16 SellafieldLtdhasconsideredtheinformationinICRPPublication8815,whichprovidesdosecoefficientsfortheembryoandfoetusafterintakesofradionuclidesbythemother,butdoesnotadviseondoselimitationordoseconstraintsfortheembryo16.AreportproducedbyPHE17providesguidanceontheuseoftheICRPdosecoefficientsandadviceregardingthesituationsforwhichtheassessmentoffoetaldoseisrequired.Inconsultingthisdocument,thefoetaldosehasbeencalculatedbymultiplyingtheadultdosebytheratioofthefoetustoadultdoseconversionfactors17.

17 OnlyradionuclideswhichareknowntobepresentinSellafieldLtddischargesfromSellafieldandarelistedinthedischargeauthorisationsareincludedhere.Inthecaseofkrypton-85whichispresentinaerialdischarges,nodoseperunitintakevalueispresentedsinceexposureforthisnuclideisdeterminedbyexternalratherthaninternaldosimetry.

Collective doses18 Inadditiontoestimatingdosestocriticalgroups,

dosestopopulationsasawholecanbeestimated.Thisinvolvestheconceptof‘collectivedose’:thesummationofallindividualradiationdosesreceivedbyapopulationoveradefinedperiodoftime.Sinceradionuclidespersistintheenvironment,subjecttoprocessesofdilution,dispersion,radioactivedecayandingrowthofdaughterproducts,thepublicwillcontinuetoreceiveradiationdoses(generallyatadecreasingrate)forsometimeafteradischargeismade.Calculatingthecollectivedosethereforeinvolvespredictingthebehaviourofradionuclidesoverextendedperiodsfollowingthedischarge.

19 Inpractice,collectivedosesareoftendominatedbythesummationofalargenumberofexceedinglysmalldosesreceivedbyindividualswhoareremote,inbothspaceandtime,fromthepointofdischarge.Consequently,thecalculationofcollectivedosereliesheavilyontheuseoftheoreticalmodelsthatpredictthedispersionofradionuclidesoverlargegeographicalareasandlongtimescales.TheunitforcollectivedoseisthemanSievert(manSv)whichemphasisesthatthevaluequotedisthesumofdosesreceivedbyanumberofindividuals.


20 Thetimeandgeographicalareaoverwhichacollectivedoseisintegratedisnecessarilystatedwiththeestimatedvalue.CurrentPHEadviceemphasisesa500yearintegrationperiod4andthisisusedthroughoutthisreport.DosesaregenerallycalculatedtothepopulationsofUK,Europe(includingtheUK)andtheWorld.EuropeisdefinedasthepopulationofthememberstatesoftheEuropeanUnion,includingtheUK.TheEUpopulationchosenis12countrieswhichallowaconsistentpresentationbetweentheaerialandmarinemodelresults.Forthisreport,thecollectivecommitteddosefollowsthecurrentPHEadvice18,19.

21 CollectivedosesplayanimportantroleintheoptimisationofradiologicalprotectionusingtheALARA(AsLowAsReasonablyAchievable)principle.ThisisrecognisedbyPHE2asbeingausefultechniqueforaidingdecisionsbetweendifferentoptionsforradiologicalprotection.Itsadvicegivesmonetaryvaluesforunitcollectivedoses,whichallowsthecostofcollectivedosestobecomparedwiththecapitalandoperatingcostsofpreventingthosedosesfromarising.

Collective dose considerations22 Thecollectivecommittedeffectivedoseestimates

resultingfromSellafielddischargeshavebeencalculatedusingthe2008upgradeofthePHEmodelPCCREAM20.ThisisbasedonmethodologyforassessingtheradiologicalconsequencesofroutinereleasestotheenvironmentpublishedbytheEuropeanCommission21.

23 Generally,thePCCREAMdefaultdoseperunitintakevalueshasbeenapplied.Whererequired,thepulmonaryretentionclassesforradionuclideshavebeenmodifiedonasite-specificbasis.

24 ThevaluespresentedintablesA6andA7forSellafieldaresitespecificandaregivenasmanSievertsperBecquereldischarged.OnlyradionuclideswhichareknowntobepresentinSellafieldLtddischargesfromSellafieldandarelistedinthedischargeauthorisations,areincludedhere.

Worked example of committed effective dose calculation for an individual member of a critical groupCED received by an adult member of the seafood consuming critical group from Am-241 in winkles

Parameter Value Location in report

A

B

C

Am-241 activity concentration in winkles

Consumption rate of winkles by adults

Committed effective dose per unit intake value for ingestion for Pu-alpha in Cumbrian winkle consumed by an adult

17 Bq kg-1

7.8 kg y-1

8.0E-08 Sv Bq-1

Monitoring chapter, Table 4

Appendix A, Table A1

Appendix A,Bottom of Table A4 for the Cumbrian Winkle data

CEDreceivedbyanadultmemberoftheseafoodconsumingcriticalgroupfromPu-alphainwinklesis:CED=AxBxCinunitsofSvperyear;CED=17Bqkg-1x7.8kgy-1x8.0E-08SvBq-1=1.06E-05Svy-1,whichisequivalentto10.6,roundedupto11µSvy-1,asreportedinRadiologicalImpactchapter,Table1.Thisapproachisrepeatedforallradionuclidesofinterestineachseafoodspeciesofinterest,throughtheincorporationoftheappropriateconsumptionratesandcommittedeffectivedoseperunitintakevalues.CareisneededinusingthecorrectdoseperunitintakevaluesforCumbrianwinklesasaspecificsetofdatafortransuranicradionuclidesareavailable(AppendixA,tableA4).AllotherseafoodspeciesconsumedusethegenericdatagiveninA4.


References1. InternationalCommissiononRadiologicalProtection

(1991).The1990recommendationsoftheICRP.ICRPPublication60.Ann.ICRP21(1-3).

2. NationalRadiologicalProtectionBoard(1993).Occupational, public and medical exposure: Guidance on the 1990 recommendations of ICRP. DocumentsoftheNRPB4(2).

3. InternationalCommissiononRadiologicalProtection(2007).The 2007 Recommendations of the International Commission on Radiological Protection.ICRPPublication103.Ann.ICRP37(2-4).

4. HealthProtectionAgency(2009).Application of the 2007 Recommendations of the ICRP to the UK: Advice from the Health Protection Agency. DocumentsoftheHealthProtectionAgency.

5. HuntGJandShepherdJG(1980).The identification of critical groups.FifthInternationalCongressofIRPA.Jerusalem.III:149-152.

6. InternationalCommissiononRadiologicalProtection(1977).Recommendations of the ICRP.ICRPPublication26.Ann.ICRP1(3).

7. ICRP(2012).Compendium of Dose Coefficients based on ICRP Publication 60.ICRPPublication119.Ann.ICRP41(Suppl).

8. HuntGJ,LeonardDRPandLovettMB(1986).Transfer of environmental plutonium and americium across the human gut.Sci.Tot.Environ.53:89-109.

9. HuntGJ,LeonardDRPandLovettMB(1990).Transfer of environmental plutonium and americium across the human gut: a second study. Sci.Tot.Environ.90:273-282.

10. HuntGJ(1998).Transfer across the human gut of environmental plutonium, americium, cobalt, caesium and technetium: studies with cockles (Cerastoderma edule L.) from the Irish Sea.J.Radiol.Prot.18:101-110.

11. HarrisonJDandStatherJW(1990).Gut transfer factors - plutonium and americium in shellfish and ‘best estimates’ for activities in food. DocumentsoftheNRPB1(2):17-26.

12. McKayWAandHalliwellCM(1994).The levels of particulate associated nuclides in Irish Sea shellfish and the implications for dose assessment.J.Radiol.Prot.14:43-53.

13. HarrisonJD(1998).Gut transfer and doses from environmental plutonium and americium.J.Radiol.Prot.18:73-76.

14. EnvironmentAgency,FoodStandardsAgency,FoodStandardsScotland,NaturalResourcesWales,NorthernIrelandEnvironmentAgencyandScottishEnvironmentProtectionAgency(2016).Radioactivity in food and the environment, 2015. RIFE-21.EA,FSA,FSS,NRW,NIEAandSEPA;Preston,London,Aberdeen,Cardiff,BelfastandStirling.

15. ICRP(2001).Doses to the embryo and fetus from intakes of radionuclides by the mother. ICRPPublication88.Ann.ICRP31(1-3).

16. JonesSR(2002).Foetal dosimetry - is the ICRP dosimetric system for humans now complete?J.Radiol.Prot.22:1-4.

17. CooperJR,BaileyMR,FryFA,HarrisonJD,McDonnellCE,MearaJR,PhippsAW,SimmondsJR,StatherJWandTattersallPJ(2005).Guidance on the application of dose coefficients for the embryo and fetus from intakes of radionuclides by the mother. DocumentsoftheNRPB16(2).

18. MayallA,CabiancaT,MorrisTP,NightingaleA,SimmondsJRandCooperJR(1993).Collective doses from proposed Sellafield discharges.NRPBnoteforCOMARE.NRPB-M453.

19. BexonA(2000).RadiologicalimpactofroutinedischargesfromUKcivilnuclearsitesinthemid-1990s.Chilton,NRPB-R312.R312.

20. SmithJ,OatwayW,BrownIandSherwoodJ(2009).PC-CREAM 08 user guide.RPD-EA-9-2009.HealthProtectionAgency.

21. SmithGandSimmondsJR(2009).The methodology for assessing the radiological consequences of routine releases of radionuclides to the environment used in PC-CREAM 08.HPA-RPD-058.HealthProtectionAgency.

22. SmithKRandJonesAL(2003).Generalised habit data for radiological assessments.NRPBReportW41.


Appendix TablesTable A1. Seafood consumption rates from people associated with marine discharges (2012 – 2016 average data)

Fish:

Cod

Plaice

Crustacea:

Crabs

Lobsters

Nephrops

Molluscs:

Winkles

Mussels

Seafood

17

37.6

9

9.6

14.4

7.8

4

Consumption rates (kg y-1)

Critical group (Sellafield fishing

community)a

Consumers associated with

Whitehaven fisheryb

Typical seafood consumers

(Whitehaven)b

20

20

-

-

9.7

-

-

7.5

7.5

-

-

-

-

-

a. CEFAS, 2017. Radiological Habits Survey: Sellafield Review, 2016.b. RIFE-21.

Table A2. Consumption rates of critical group consumers associated with aerial discharges, 2016

Foodstuffa

Consumption rate (kg y-1)b c

milk

beef

beef liver

mutton

poultry

game

fish (cod + plaice)

leafy vegetables

potatoes

root vegetables

legumes

domestic fruit

wild fruit

mushrooms

honey

eggs

Adult Child Infant

95

15

2.75

8

10

6

15

15

120

10

20

75

7

3

2.5

8.5

110

15

1.5

4

5.5

4

3

6

85

6

8

50

3

1.5

2

6.5

130

3

0.5

0.8

2

0.8

0.75

3.5

35

5

3

35

1

0.6

2

5

a. Based on PHE/FSA recommendations.b. Consumption rates for foetal exposure taken to be same as those of adults.c. Domestic fruit and potatoes as high rate consumers

Table A3. Parameters for calculation of plume immersion and inhalation dosesa

Occupancy (%)

Time Indoors (%)

Cloud Shielding Factor

Ground Shielding Factor

Breathing rate (m3 a-1)

Adult Child Infant

100%

50%

0.2

0.1

9,860

100%

90%

0.2

0.1

5,600

100%

90%

0.2

0.1

1,900

a Foetal dose is calculated from the adult dose multiplied by the ratio of the foetus to the adult dose conversion factors (following NRPB, 200322).


Table A4. Committed effective doses per unit intake for ingestion

Radionuclide f1a Dose per unit intake (Sv Bq-1)

Foetus 1 y 10 y AdultH-3 oxideH-3 organicC-14Co-60Zn-65Sr-90Zr-95Nb-95Tc-99Ru-103Ru-106Ag-110mSb-125I-129I-131Cs-134Cs-137Ce-144Pm-147Eu-154Eu-155Ra-226U-234U-235U-238Np-237Pu-238Pu-239Pu-240Pu-241Am-241Cm-242Cm-243Cm-244

Pu-238 Pu-239 Pu-240 Pu-241 Am-241

1E+001E+001E+001E-015E-013E-011E-021E-025E-015E-025E-025E-021E-011E+001E+001E+001E+005E-045E-045E-045E-042E-012E-022E-022E-025E-045E-045E-045E-045E-045E-045E-045E-045E-04

2E-042E-042E-042E-042E-04

3.1E-116.3E-118.0E-101.9E-094.1E-094.6E-087.6E-103.7E-104.6E-102.7E-103.8E-102.1E-094.7E-104.4E-082.3E-088.7E-095.7E-093.1E-112.6E-102.0E-093.2E-103.2E-071.5E-081.4E-081.3E-083.6E-099.0E-099.5E-099.5E-091.1E-102.7E-094.7E-101.5E-072.2E-09

3.6E-093.8E-093.8E-094.4E-111.1E-09


1.6E-071.7E-071.7E-072.3E-091.5E-07


9.6E-081.1E-071.1E-072.0E-098.8E-08


9.2E-081.0E-071.0E-071.9E-098.0E-08

Plutonium and americium values for application to the consumption of Cumbrian winkles

a – The gastro-intestinal absorption factor does not apply to neonates or infants aged below about one year.


Table A5. Committed effective doses per unit intake for inhalation

RadionuclideLung

absorption type

f1a Dose per unit intake (Sv Bq-1) Basis for choice of lung

absorption type

Foetus 1 y 10 y AdultH-3 oxideH-3 organicC-14Co-60Zn-65Sr-90Zr-95Nb-95Tc-99Ru-103Ru-106Ag-110mSb-125I-129I-131Cs-134Cs-137Ce-144Pm-147Eu-154Eu-155Ra-226U-234U-235U-238Np-237Pu-238Pu-239Pu-240Pu-241Am-241Cm-242Cm-243Cm-244

VVMMMMMMMMMMMFFFFMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM

1E+001E+001E-011E-011E-011E-012E-031E-021E-015E-025E-025E-021E-021E+001E+001E+001E+005E-045E-045E-045E-041E-012E-022E-022E-025E-045E-045E-045E-045E-045E-045E-045E-045E-04





Water vapourOrganically bound tritiumICRP recommended defaultICRP recommended defaultICRP recommended defaultICRP recommended defaultICRP recommended defaultICRP recommended defaultICRP recommended defaultICRP recommended defaultICRP recommended defaultICRP recommended defaultICRP recommended defaultICRP recommended defaultICRP recommended defaultICRP recommended defaultICRP recommended defaultICRP recommended defaultMost restrictiveb

Most restrictiveb

Most restrictiveb

ICRP recommended defaultICRP recommended defaultICRP recommended defaultICRP recommended defaultICRP recommended defaultICRP recommended defaultICRP recommended defaultICRP recommended defaultICRP recommended defaultICRP recommended defaultICRP recommended defaultICRP recommended defaultICRP recommended default

a. The gastro-intestinal absorption factor does not apply to neonates or infants aged below about one year.

b. No default inhalation class recommended – most restrictive value cited by ICRP used.


Table A6. Collective dose commitment from Sellafield Ltd site (man Sv per Bq discharged, integrated to 500 years): atmospheric discharges

RadionuclideSellafield

UK EUa WorldH-3C-14Kr-85Sr-90Ru-106Sb-125I-129I-131Cs-137Pu-239Pu-240Pu-241Am-241

6.7E-162.0E-134.3E-181.9E-123.1E-131.2E-134.5E-117.8E-131.8E-12

1.7E-10

3.0E-121.4E-10

1.2E-151.0E-121.5E-178.8E-124.2E-131.7E-132.1E-104.8E-136.1E-12

2.4E-10

4.4E-122.0E-10

1.5E-151.3E-112.6E-168.8E-124.2E-131.7E-132.9E-104.8E-136.1E-12

2.4E-10

4.4E-122.0E-10

a. EU is defined as the population of the pre-expansion EU member states

Table A7. Collective dose commitment from Sellafield Ltd site (man Sv per Bq discharged, integrated to 500 years): liquid dischargesa

RadionuclideSellafield

UK EUb WorldH-3C-14Co-60Sr-90Zr-95Nb-95Tc-99Ru-106I-129Cs-134Cs-137Ce-144Pu-239Pu-240Pu-241Am-241Cm-242Cm-243Cm-244

4.6E-192.0E-136.7E-147.0E-167.3E-171.7E-172.5E-151.9E-141.9E-141.3E-141.6E-146.9E-17

3.0E-13

2.5E-141.3E-122.3E-15

4.3E-14

1.9E-186.6E-131.9E-131.8E-151.5E-163.5E-177.6E-155.1E-145.7E-143.0E-144.1E-141.8E-16

8.4E-13

7.1E-143.6E-126.1E-15

1.1E-13

3.5E-176.8E-122.4E-133.0E-151.6E-163.8E-179.5E-155.6E-142.2E-134.6E-147.1E-142.0E-16

9.8E-13

7.9E-143.9E-126.8E-15

1.2E-13

a. The collective dose factors include the contribution from the first decay product where appropriate.

b. Please note EU is defined as the population of the pre-expansion EU member states


Appendix BDischarges and Environmental MonitoringAnnual Report 2016Supporting monitoring and dose data


Table B1. Radioactivity in seaweed, 2016

SpeciesMean radionuclide concentration (Bq kg-1 wet weight)

Fucusvesiculosis Porphyra umbilicalis

LocationTotal Alpha

Total Beta

14Ca 60Co 90Sr 99Tc 106Ru 125Sb 129I 134Cs 137Cs U(α) Pu(α) 241Am

NethertownDrigg BarnscarWalney Island

St BeesBraystonesSellafieldSeascale NebSt. Bees - Selker (Av)

151717

7.53.76.47.76.3

a. 14C data include natural background

280300260

170190170160170

365238

5256735058

0.530.570.19

-0.140.100.150.13

1.21.00.61

<0.17<0.240.21

<0.250.22

1,7001,300820

4.22.73.75.03.9

<1.3<1.3

<0.81

<2.22.5

<3.14.93.2

0.420.43

<0.24

---

0.220.22

23123.9

<0.51<1.7<0.85<0.75<0.94

<0.10<0.08<0.06

<0.07<0.06<0.07<0.07<0.07

2.52.62.0

0.871.11.21.11.1

3.34.95.8

0.320.190.210.270.25

12124.6

3.31.73.02.62.6

2.83.30.91

4.93.04.44.64.2

Table B2. Radioactivity in coastal samples of seawater from the Irish Sea, 2016

Mean radionuclide concentration (Bq litre-1)Location Total

AlphaTotal Beta

3H 14C 90Sr 99Tc 129I 137Cs U(α) 237Np Pu(α) 241Pu 241Am

St Bees

Sellafield

Seascale Neb

Drigg Barnscar

filtrate

solids

filtrate

solids

filtrate

solids

filtrate

solids

<2.1

0.14

<2.2

0.24

<2.1

0.36

<2.3

0.24

9.7

0.11

10

0.19

8.9

0.31

9.8

0.21

<9.4

-

17

-

11

-

13

-

<0.66

-

<0.66

-

<0.68

-

<0.65

-

0.02

0.005

0.05

0.008

0.04

0.009

0.03

0.008

<0.03

-

<0.03

-

<0.03

-

<0.03

-

<0.03

-

<0.03

-

<0.03

-

<0.03

-

<0.06

0.02

0.08

0.03

0.06

0.05

0.05

0.03

0.10

0.002

0.10

0.003

0.09

0.005

0.10

0.004

<0.0006

<0.00002

<0.0005

0.00007

0.0004

0.00009

0.0004

0.00005

0.004

0.04

0.005

0.06

0.004

0.09

0.004

0.07

<0.07

0.11

<0.08

0.22

0.08

0.35

<0.07

0.26

0.001

0.06

0.002

0.10

0.002

0.16

0.002

0.10

Mean radionuclide concentration (Bq kg-1 dry weight)Location Total

AlphaTotal Beta

60Co 90Sr 99Tc 106Ru 134Cs U(α) Pu(α) 241Am

Table B3. Radioactivity in sediment from the West Cumbrian Coast, 2016

Sand

Silt

St Bees

Braystones

Sellafield

Seascale Neb

Drigg Barnscar

Ravenglass Ford

Ravenglass Garth

Ravenglass Opp Raven Villa

Eskmeals, R Esk south bank downstream of viaduct

Eskmeals Newbiggin Marsh

R Esk Muncaster Rd Bridge; Downstream

Whitehaven Outer Harbour (south)

Silt from R Calder

Silt from R Ehen

Waberthwaite

Sediment

500

380

390

440

360

900

460

1,100

950

1,400

1,400

640

500

1,900

1,000

480

390

420

480

470

550

270

460

820

1,200

1,100

650

670

1,300

880

0.60

0.43

0.46

0.46

0.44

1.2

<0.77

<1.1

<1.1

2.4

2.9

<0.85

<1.1

3.7

1.6

-

-

-

-

-

4.5

0.88

11

21

35

55

1.6

2.6

39

22

-

-

-

-

-

10

8.7

14

15

30

40

3.3

<2.5

27

15

<1.0

<1.3

<1.0

<1.1

<0.92

<9.3

<8.1

<9.8

<13

<16

<19

<9.0

<12

87

<14

<0.11

<0.12

<0.10

<0.11

<0.10

<1.1

<0.84

<1.1

<1.3

<1.5

<1.9

<1.0

<1.4

<1.7

<1.5

50

45

31

22

17

51

24

67

80

220

270

64

23

210

120

-

-

-

-

-

30

34

40

54

57

61

26

24

54

65

120

100

87

96

87

200

96

200

160

440

440

130

25

290

280

130

120

99

120

100

280

120

360

280

710

690

170

40

440

390

137Cs

Table B4. Large area beach monitoring coverage and finds summary, 2016

Monitoring areaFinds Recovereda

AllonbySt BeesBraystonesSellafieldSeascaleDriggTotal

a. Finds with any dimension estimated as less than 2 mm are categorised as particles, all others are reported as objects.

Area covered (ha)Find Rate (finds per hectare)

Particles Objects ObjectsParticles

11222582281.1170

-2626

13612

191

---

67--

67

-1.21.01.7

0.041.81.1

---

0.81--

0.40


Table B5. Radioactivity in Total Deposition, 2016

LocationMean radionuclide concentration (Bq m-3)

Calder Gate

Met Station

North Gate

South Side

West Ring Road

106RuTotal alpha Total beta 90Sr3H

<16

<15

<16

<17

<17

<170

<230

540

<150

<220

4,800

6,600

9,100

<4,200

<5,200

2.9

11

120

5.3

8.1

<41

<40

<37

<35

<50

125Sb 134Cs 137Cs Pu(α) 241Am

<13

<10

<19

<10

<12

<4.8

<4.6

<4.3

<4.8

<5.8

13

40

150

<4.6

<6.9

<1.5

<1.2

<1.3

<0.99

<1.6

1.4

1.3

<0.91

<0.81

1.2

Table B6. Radioactivity in grass, 2016

LocationMean radionuclide concentration (Bq kg-1 wet weight)

Calder Gate

Met Station

North Gate

South Side

West Ring Road

Ravenglassc

99TcTotal alpha

Total beta

90Sr3H

2.2

2.4

2.4

3.1

2.6

17

95

120

150

110

140

69

14

7.7

33

14

8.6

6.2

27

23

26

24

20

17

1.8

<0.89

1.9

<0.93

<0.80

<0.67

125Sb 134Cs 137Cs Pu(α) 241Am

1.7

7.3

20

1.1

0.91

0.85

3.2

1.9

1.9

2.5

0.92

1.6

<0.88

<0.98

<1.1

<0.90

<0.92

<0.92

1.6

<0.90

3.2

0.40

<0.39

<0.22

<0.10

<0.11

<0.12

<0.11

<0.11

<0.08

14CTotala

14CNetb

106Ru

3.3

5.5

21

0.91

2.5

5.0

0.09

0.12

0.10

0.27

0.24

0.70

0.22

0.66

0.32

0.09

0.38

7.3

U(α)

0.13

0.27

0.17

0.11

0.38

11

a. 14C data includes background.b. Excluding natural background calculated assuming 226 Bq natural 14C per kg carbon.c. Tidally inundated site.

Table B7. Radioactivity in soil, 2016

LocationMean radionuclide concentration (Bq kg-1 wet weight)

Calder Gate

Met Station

North Gate

South Side

West Ring Road

Ravenglassc

99TcTotal alpha

Total beta

90Sr3H

630

700

690

490

470

3,600

620

840

710

1,000

540

1,600

<2.2

<2.5

<2.3

<2.6

5.3

4.0

4.5

5.5

6.3

9.3

3.6

8.3

1.2

0.70

2.5

<0.40

<0.10

0.90

125Sb 134Cs 137Cs Pu(α) 241Am

3.6

12

30

5.2

5.6

19

<3.3

<3.0

<5.0

<4.8

<3.0

740

<21

<18

<17

<24

<16

<10

<5.1

<4.7

<5.1

<5.6

<4.3

<4.1

<2.3

<1.6

<1.6

<2.4

<1.7

<0.75

14CTotala

14CNetb

106Ru

93

250

430

76

110

2,300

55

61

66

70

92

88

29

92

210

14

46

1,800

U(α)

16

37

39

6.1

26

2,100

a. 14C data includes background.b. Excluding natural background calculated assuming 226 Bq natural 14C per kg carbon.c. Tidally inundated site.

6909p1

6960p1

10007

6948p1

6979p1

10339

9118

793p3

6951p1

6920p1

6953p1

6949p1

6228p1

4996p1

6986p1

Borehole numberMean radionuclide concentration (Bq m-3)

Total alpha Total beta 3H

<23

19

<10

<18

30

37

24

140

15

<13

34

<17

<27

<24

65

<240

<240

<240

7,500

<240

<240

290

410

<240

<250

<260

<250

<250

<250

<270

23,000

7,700

<4,200

22,000

13,000

810,000

7,800

9,100

<4,000

66,000

9,200

<5,000

500,000

42,000

88,000

<77

<86

-

4,000

98

97

94

87

93

<73

59

-

<69

<73

<73

<47

<27

-

260

230

6,700

<35

<40

<37

11,000

<34

<48

17,000

340

820

90Sr 99Tc 137Cs<56

<100

-

-

-

-

<95

<32

-

-

<81

-

-

-

-

Table B8. Radioactivity in groundwater at Sellafield, 2016


Table B9. Summary of doses to marine critical group from marine foodstuffs (μSv), 2016

Radionuclide

Carbon-14a

Cobalt-60

Strontium-90

Technetium-99

Ruthenium-106

Antimony-125

Iodine-129

Caesium-137

Neptunium-237

Plutonium-alpha

Plutonium-241

Americium-241

Curium-alpha

Total

Adult Child Infant Foetus Adult Child Infant Foetus Adult Child Infant Foetus Adult Child Infant FoetusCod Plaice Lobsters Crabs

0.64

-

-

0.003

0.03

-

-

0.86

-

0.01

-

0.01

-

1.6

0.18

-

-

0.001

0.01

-

-

0.13

-

0.003

-

0.003

-

0.33

0.09

-

-

0.001

0.01

-

-

0.04

-

0.001

-

0.001

-

0.14

0.88

-

-

0.002

0.002

-

-

0.38

-

0.0005

-

0.0002

-

1.3

1.3

-

-

0.05

0.05

-

-

0.88

-

0.07

-

0.08

-

2.4

0.35

-

-

0.02

0.02

-

-

0.14

-

0.01

-

0.02

-

0.56

0.17

-

-

0.02

0.02

-

-

0.04

-

0.006

-

0.007

-

0.27

1.7

-

-

0.04

0.003

-

-

0.39

-

0.003

-

0.001

-

2.2

0.53

-

-

0.86

-

-

0.80

0.17

-

0.41

-

2.3

-

5.1

0.15

-

-

0.35

-

-

0.28

0.03

-

0.09

-

0.51

-

1.4

0.07

-

-

0.32

-

-

0.08

0.008

-

0.03

-

0.21

-

0.73

0.73

-

-

0.62

-

-

0.32

0.08

-

0.02

-

0.03

-

1.8

0.55

0.006

0.02

0.03

0.11

-

-

0.08

-

0.59

-

1.8

-

3.2

0.15

0.004

0.01

0.01

0.05

-

-

0.01

-

0.13

-

0.40

-

0.76

0.08

0.002

0.004

0.01

0.04

-

-

0.004

-

0.05

-

0.17

-

0.35

0.76

0.003

0.04

0.02

0.006

-

-

0.04

-

0.02

-

0.02

-

0.91

Radionuclide

Carbon-14a

Cobalt-60

Strontium-90

Technetium-99

Ruthenium-106

Antimony-125

Iodine-129

Caesium-137

Neptunium-237

Plutonium-alpha

Plutonium-241

Americium-241

Curium-alpha

Total

Adult Child Infant Foetus Adult Child Infant Foetus Adult Child Infant Foetus

Nephrops Winkles Mussels

0.53

-

-

0.42

-

-

-

0.24

-

2.1

-

7.8

-

11

0.15

-

-

0.17

-

-

-

0.04

-

0.45

-

1.7

-

2.5

0.07

-

-

0.16

-

-

-

0.01

-

0.18

-

0.72

-

1.1

0.74

-

-

0.30

-

-

-

0.11

-

0.08

-

0.10

-

1.3

0.27

0.02

0.48

0.27

0.26

0.005

0.11

0.57

0.009

7.6

0.66

11

0.12

21

0.07

0.02

0.21

0.11

0.11

0.002

0.04

0.09

0.002

1.6

0.14

2.3

0.02

4.8

0.04

0.01

0.07

0.10

0.09

0.001

0.01

0.03

0.0008

0.64

0.04

0.98

0.01

2.0

0.37

0.01

0.72

0.20

0.01

0.002

0.04

0.25

0.0003

0.29

0.02

0.15

0.12

2.2

0.23

0.007

0.07

0.19

0.09

0.002

0.04

0.10

0.004

4.4

0.46

6.8

0.03

12

0.06

0.005

0.03

0.08

0.04

0.0007

0.02

0.02

0.0009

0.95

0.10

1.5

0.006

2.8

0.03

0.003

0.01

0.07

0.03

0.0005

0.004

0.005

0.0004

0.37

0.03

0.63

0.003

1.2

0.32

0.004

0.11

0.14

0.005

0.0008

0.02

0.05

0.0001

0.17

0.01

0.09

0.03

0.94

a. Calculated using background corrected activity concentrations (see Monitoring chapter, paragraph 24).


Table B10. Summary of doses to terrestrial critical group from terrestrial foodstuffs and inhalation (μSv)a, 2016

Radionuclide

Total tritium

Carbon-14b

Cobalt-60

Strontium-90

Technetium-99

Ruthenium-106c

Antimony-125

Iodine-129

Iodine-131

Caesium-134

Caesium-137

Plutonium-alpha

Plutonium-241

Americium-241

Total

Adult Child Infant Foetus Adult Child Infant Foetus Adult Child Infant Foetus Adult Child Infant FoetusMilk Beef Muscle Beef Offal Sheep Muscle

0.01

0.03

-

0.09

-

<0.001

0.01

0.10

0.001

-

0.10

-

-

-

0.34

0.02

0.05

-

0.22

-

<0.001

0.02

0.21

0.004

-

0.09

-

-

-

0.62

0.06

0.12

-

0.36

-

<0.001

0.08

0.29

0.02

-

0.12

-

-

-

1.1

0.02

0.05

-

0.13

-

<0.001

0.004

0.04

0.001

-

0.04

-

-

-

0.29

0.008

-

0.003

0.02

<0.001

<0.001

0.002

0.03

-

0.02

0.04

<0.001

0.02

<0.001

0.15

0.01

-

0.01

0.04

0.002

<0.001

0.004

0.06

-

0.01

0.03

<0.001

0.02

<0.001

0.19

0.004

-

0.005

0.01

0.001

<0.001

0.003

0.01

-

0.003

0.006

<0.001

0.004

<0.001

0.05

0.01

-

0.002

0.03

<0.001

<0.001

<0.001

0.01

-

0.009

0.02

<0.001

<0.001

<0.001

0.09

<0.001

-

<0.001

0.004

<0.001

<0.001

<0.001

0.006

-

0.002

0.003

<0.001

0.003

<0.001

0.03

<0.001

-

<0.001

0.005

<0.001

<0.001

<0.001

0.006

-

<0.001

0.001

<0.001

0.002

<0.001

0.02

<0.001

-

<0.001

0.002

<0.001

<0.001

<0.001

0.002

-

<0.001

<0.001

<0.001

<0.001

<0.001

0.01

<0.001

-

<0.001

0.006

<0.001

<0.001

<0.001

0.002

-

<0.001

0.001

<0.001

<0.001

<0.001

0.02

0.002

-

0.002

0.01

<0.001

<0.001

0.001

0.02

-

0.01

0.23

<0.001

0.008

<0.001

0.29

0.002

-

0.003

0.01

<0.001

<0.001

0.001

0.02

-

0.004

0.09

<0.001

0.004

<0.001

0.14

<0.001

-

0.001

0.003

<0.001

<0.001

<0.001

0.004

-

<0.001

0.02

<0.001

0.001

<0.001

0.04

0.004

-

<0.001

0.01

<0.001

<0.001

<0.001

0.007

-

0.005

0.10

<0.001

<0.001

<0.001

0.13

Radionuclide

Total tritium

Carbon-14b

Cobalt-60

Strontium-90

Technetium-99

Ruthenium-106c

Antimony-125

Iodine-129

Iodine-131

Caesium-134

Caesium-137

Plutonium-alpha

Plutonium-241

Americium-241

Total

Adult Child Infant Foetus Adult Child Infant Foetus Adult Child Infant Foetus Adult Child Infant FoetusSheep Offal Poultry Eggs Game

<0.001

0.009

<0.001

0.004

<0.001

<0.001

<0.001

0.006

-

0.003

0.03

0.005

0.004

0.004

0.07

<0.001

0.006

<0.001

0.005

<0.001

<0.001

<0.001

0.006

-

0.001

0.01

0.003

0.002

0.003

0.04

<0.001

0.004

<0.001

0.002

<0.001

<0.001

<0.001

0.002

-

<0.001

0.004

0.002

<0.001

0.001

0.02

0.001

0.01

<0.001

0.006

<0.001

<0.001

<0.001

0.002

-

0.001

0.01

<0.001

<0.001

<0.001

0.04

<0.001

-

0.002

0.02

0.001

<0.001

0.001

0.07

-

0.01

0.01

0.002

0.02

<0.001

0.14

<0.001

-

0.004

0.02

0.002

<0.001

0.002

0.06

-

0.004

0.005

<0.001

0.01

<0.001

0.11

<0.001

-

0.004

0.009

0.002

<0.001

0.002

0.03

-

0.002

0.002

<0.001

0.004

<0.001

0.06

0.001

-

0.001

0.02

<0.001

<0.001

<0.001

0.03

-

0.004

0.005

<0.001

<0.001

<0.001

0.07

0.002

-

0.001

0.01

-

<0.001

<0.001

0.03

-

0.008

0.004

<0.001

0.009

<0.001

0.07

0.002

-

0.003

0.02

-

<0.001

0.001

0.04

-

0.005

0.003

<0.001

0.007

<0.001

0.08

0.004

-

0.005

0.02

-

<0.001

0.003

0.03

-

0.004

0.002

<0.001

0.006

<0.001

0.08

0.004

-

<0.001

0.02

-

<0.001

<0.001

0.01

-

0.004

0.002

<0.001

<0.001

<0.001

0.05

0.003

0.01

0.002

0.009

<0.001

<0.001

<0.001

0.02

-

0.009

0.21

<0.001

0.009

<0.001

0.28

0.002

0.01

0.003

0.01

<0.001

<0.001

0.001

0.03

-

0.004

0.11

<0.001

0.006

<0.001

0.18

0.001

0.004

0.002

0.004

<0.001

<0.001

<0.001

0.006

-

0.001

0.03

<0.001

0.001

<0.001

0.05

0.004

0.01

<0.001

0.01

<0.001

<0.001

<0.001

0.009

-

0.004

0.09

<0.001

<0.001

<0.001

0.13

Radionuclide

Total tritium

Carbon-14b

Cobalt-60

Strontium-90

Technetium-99

Ruthenium-106c

Antimony-125

Iodine-129

Iodine-131

Caesium-134

Caesium-137

Plutonium-alpha

Plutonium-241

Americium-241

Total

Adult Child Infant Foetus Adult Child Infant Foetus Adult Child Infant Foetus Adult Child Infant FoetusHoney Mushroom Potato Root Vegetables

<0.001

0.01

<0.001

0.003

-

<0.001

<0.001

0.006

-

0.001

0.002

<0.001

0.003

<0.001

0.03

<0.001

0.01

<0.001

0.005

-

<0.001

<0.001

0.008

-

<0.001

0.001

<0.001

0.003

<0.001

0.03

<0.001

0.03

0.001

0.007

-

<0.001

<0.001

0.009

-

<0.001

0.001

<0.001

0.003

<0.001

0.06

<0.001

0.02

<0.001

0.005

-

<0.001

<0.001

0.002

-

<0.001

<0.01

<0.001

<0.001

<0.001

0.04

<0.001

0.01

<0.001

0.005

-

<0.001

<0.001

0.007

-

0.002

0.02

0.02

0.003

0.02

0.09

<0.001

0.008

<0.001

0.005

-

<0.001

<0.001

0.006

-

<0.001

0.006

0.009

0.002

0.01

0.05

<0.001

0.007

<0.001

0.003

-

<0.001

<0.001

0.003

-

<0.001

0.003

0.006

<0.001

0.009

0.04

<0.001

0.02

<0.001

0.007

-

<0.001

<0.001

0.003

-

0.001

0.007

<0.001

<0.001

<0.001

0.05

0.01

0.05

0.02

0.11

-

<0.001

0.02

0.26

-

0.14

0.14

0.02

0.21

0.01

0.99

0.01

0.04

0.04

0.17

-

<0.001

0.02

0.32

-

0.07

0.08

0.02

0.16

0.01

0.94

0.01

0.04

0.04

0.10

-

<0.001

0.03

0.15

-

0.03

0.04

0.01

0.07

0.008

0.53

0.02

0.06

0.009

0.17

-

<0.001

0.007

0.11

-

0.06

0.06

<0.001

0.005

<0.001

0.50

0.001

0.04

0.002

0.04

<0.001

<0.001

0.001

0.03

-

0.01

0.01

-

-

-

0.14

0.001

0.04

0.004

0.05

<0.001

<0.001

0.002

0.03

-

0.006

0.005

-

-

-

0.14

0.002

0.06

0.008

0.06

0.002

<0.001

0.004

0.03

-

0.006

0.005

-

-

-

0.18

0.002

0.06

0.001

0.06

<0.001

<0.001

<0.001

0.01

-

0.006

0.005

-

-

-

0.15


Radionuclide

Total tritium

Carbon-14b

Cobalt-60

Strontium-90

Technetium-99

Ruthenium-106c

Antimony-125

Iodine-129

Iodine-131

Caesium-134

Caesium-137

Plutonium-alpha

Plutonium-241

Americium-241

Total

Adult Child Infant Foetus Adult Child Infant Foetus Adult Child Infant Foetus Adult Child Infant FoetusGreen Vegetables Domestic Fruit Wild Fruit Legumes

0.001

0.05

0.004

0.04

-

<0.001

0.002

0.04

-

0.02

0.01

<0.001

0.01

<0.001

0.18

<0.001

0.03

0.006

0.03

-

<0.001

0.002

0.03

-

0.006

0.004

<0.001

0.006

<0.001

0.12

<0.001

0.03

0.008

0.03

-

<0.001

0.003

0.02

-

0.004

0.003

<0.001

0.004

<0.001

0.11

0.002

0.07

0.002

0.06

-

<0.001

<0.001

0.02

-

0.009

0.005

<0.001

<0.001

<0.001

0.17

0.009

0.33

0.03

0.20

-

<0.001

0.02

0.33

-

0.10

0.08

0.01

0.03

0.02

1.2

0.008

0.31

0.06

0.29

-

<0.001

0.02

0.38

-

0.05

0.04

0.007

0.02

0.01

1.2

0.01

0.43

0.10

0.28

-

<0.001

0.04

0.31

-

0.04

0.04

0.008

0.02

0.01

1.3

0.01

0.46

0.02

0.30

-

<0.001

0.007

0.13

-

0.05

0.04

<0.001

<0.001

<0.001

1.0

0.001

0.05

0.002

0.03

<0.001

<0.001

0.001

0.05

-

0.01

0.01

0.005

0.007

0.006

0.17

<0.001

0.03

0.003

0.03

<0.001

<0.001

0.001

0.03

-

0.004

0.004

0.002

0.003

0.003

0.11

<0.001

0.02

0.002

0.01

<0.001

<0.001

0.001

0.01

-

0.001

0.002

0.001

0.001

0.002

0.05

0.002

0.07

0.001

0.05

<0.001

<0.001

<0.001

0.02

-

0.005

0.006

<0.001

<0.001

<0.001

0.16

0.002

-

0.004

0.20

-

<0.001

0.002

0.13

-

0.02

0.02

0.002

-

0.003

0.38

<0.001

-

0.005

0.17

-

<0.001

0.002

0.09

-

0.007

0.005

<0.001

-

0.001

0.28

<0.001

-

0.005

0.09

-

<0.001

0.002

0.04

-

0.003

0.002

<0.001

-

<0.001

0.15

0.003

-

0.002

0.30

-

<0.001

0.001

0.05

-

0.01

0.007

<0.001

-

<0.001

0.38

Radionuclide

Total tritium

Carbon-14b

Cobalt-60

Strontium-90

Technetium-99

Ruthenium-106c

Antimony-125

Iodine-129

Iodine-131

Caesium-134

Caesium-137

Plutonium-alpha

Plutonium-241

Americium-241

Total

Adult Child Infant Foetus Adult Child Infant FoetusDrinking water Inhalation

0.09

-

-

0.04

-

-

-

-

-

-

0.04

0.05

-

0.16

0.38

0.08

-

-

0.05

-

-

-

-

-

-

0.02

0.03

-

0.10

0.28

0.12

-

-

0.05

-

-

-

-

-

-

0.01

0.03

-

0.13

0.34

0.14

-

-

0.06

-

-

-

-

-

-

0.02

0.002

-

0.002

0.22

-

-

-

0.003

-

0.009

0.001

-

-

<0.001

<0.001

0.41

0.24

0.35

1.0

-

-

-

0.002

-

0.008

<0.001

-

-

<0.001

<0.001

0.22

0.12

0.19

0.54

-

-

-

0.002

-

0.007

<0.001

-

-

<0.001

<0.001

0.12

0.05

0.11

0.29

-

-

-

<0.001

-

<0.001

<0.001

-

-

<0.001

<0.001

0.008

0.003

0.002

0.02

a. Values in pale blue boxes have been calculated using FSA monitoring data.b. Calculated using background corrected activity concentrations (see Monitoring chapter, paragraph 24).c. Derived from standard modelling techniques.


Radionuclide

Total tritium

Carbon-14a

Cobalt-60

Strontium-90

Technetium-99

Ruthenium-106b

Antimony-125

Iodine-129

Iodine-131

Caesium-134

Caesium-137

Plutonium-alpha

Plutonium-241

Americium-241

Total

Adult Child Infant FoetusTotal dose per radionuclide (μSv)

0.14

0.59

0.08

0.84

0.008

0.03

0.07

1.1

0.001

0.37

0.96

0.53

0.58

0.58

5.9

0.14

0.53

0.15

1.1

0.01

0.02

0.08

1.3

0.004

0.18

0.51

0.30

0.37

0.34

5.1

0.22

0.75

0.18

1.0

0.01

0.02

0.18

0.95

0.02

0.10

0.29

0.19

0.17

0.28

4.4

0.23

0.83

0.05

1.2

0.008

0.02

0.03

0.46

0.001

0.17

0.42

0.02

0.02

0.02

3.5

Table B11. Summary of radionuclide doses to the terrestrial critical group from terrestrial pathways and inhalation, 2016

a. Calculated using background corrected activity concentrations b. Derived from standard modelling techniques.

Radionuclide

Carbon-14a

Technetium-99

Ruthenium-106

Caesium-137

Plutonium-alpha

Americium-241

Total

Adult Child Infant Foetus

0.47

0.01

0.02

0.55

0.03

0.05

1.1

0.13

0.005

0.01

0.08

0.006

0.01

0.25

0.07

0.004

0.009

0.03

0.003

0.004

0.11

0.65

0.008

0.001

0.24

0.001

0.0006

0.90

Table B12. Summary of doses to the terrestrial critical group from seafood consumption (μSv) in 2016

a. Calculated using background corrected activity concentrations.


Figure B1. Technetium-99 in Fucus vesiculosus at Nethertown

Figure B2. Caesium-137 in seawater filtrate at Sellafield beach

0

5000

10000

15000

20000

25000

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016

Concentration(Bqkg

-1)

Discharge(TBq

)

Year

FigureC1.Technetium-99inFucusvesiculosus atNethertown

Discharge

Concentration inFucus

0

0.05

0.1

0.15

0.2

0.25

0.3

0.35

0.4

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016

Concentration(Bql-1)

Discharge(TBq

)

Year

FigureC2.Caesium-137inseawaterfiltrateatSellafieldbeach

Discharges

Concentration infiltrate


Figure B4. External gamma dose rates at Newbiggin compared to sediment concentrations

Figure B3. Plutonium-alpha in seawater filtrate at Sellafield beach

0

0.01

0.02

0.03

0.04

0.05

0

0.05

0.1

0.15

0.2

0.25

0.3

0.35

0.4

2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016

Concentration(Bql-1)

Discharges(TBq

)

Year

FigureC3.Plutonium-alphainseawaterfiltrateatSellafieldbeach

Discharges

Concentration infiltrate

0

200

400

600

800

1000

1200

0

0.05

0.1

0.15

0.2

0.25

0.3

1993 1995 1997 1999 2001 2003 2005 2007 2009 2011 2013 2015

Bqkg

-1dryweight

microG

rayh

-1

Year

FigureC4.ExternalgammadoseratesatNewbiggincomparedtosedimentconcentrations

Co-60insediment

Ru-106insediment

Cs-137insediment

Gammadoserate


Appendix CDischarges and Environmental MonitoringAnnual Report 2016Representative person dose calculations


Representative person dose calculations

1 ARepresentativePersonisdefinedasanindividualreceivingadosethatisrepresentativeofthemorehighlyexposedindividualsinthepopulation1.Thistermistheequivalentof,andreplaces,‘averagememberofthecriticalgroup’describedinpreviousICRPRecommendations.

2 TheRepresentativePersonapproachisappliedintheRadioactivityinFoodandtheEnvironment(RIFE)seriesofpublications.Thisapproachapplieshabitdata,collectedbyCEFASthroughsurveysofthelocalpopulation,toidentifyrealisticprofilesoffoodstuffconsumptionandoccupancyhabits(e.g.timespentoversediment)forgroupsofindividualsinthelocalpopulation.Theprofilesaredeliberatelyalignedtothehabitsandlocationswheregroupsofindividualsmaybeexpectedtoreceivethehighestradiologicaldoses2.Itshouldbenotedthatthedoseprofilesfor2012arebasedonthe2008comprehensivehabitsurvey3,incorporatingannualupdatesontheconsumptionofmarinefoodstuffsandoccupancyonintertidalareas.Doseprofilesfor2013onwardsarebasedonthe2013comprehensivehabitsurvey4,againincorporatingannualupdates.Differencesbetweenthesebaselinehabitsurveysexplainthevariabilitybetweentheresultsfor2012andthoseofsubsequentyears

3 AnassessmentwasconductedforthisreportapplyingtheRIFEdoseprofilingmethodologyusingtheCEFAShabitdatafor2012-2016(asappliedinRIFE185-RIFE226).Thedataforconcentrationsinfoodstuffs,externaldoseratesanddirectshineweretakenfromtherelevantSellafieldLimitedDischargesandEnvironmentalMonitoringreports.ThisassessmentofdoseprofilesthereforediffersfromthatpresentedinRIFEasitmorecloselyrepresentsthedosesattributedtotheSellafieldsiteasitdoesnotincludethecontributionsfromnaturallyoccurringradioactivityorfromanthropogenicradionuclidesreleasedfromotherindustries.TheresultsfromthedoseprofilingcanthereforebedirectlycomparedwiththoseobtainedfromthecalculationsofdosestomembersofthecriticalgroupusedintheSellafieldLimitedreports.

4 Itshouldbenotedthat,inlinewithdosecalculationsappliedelsewhereinthisreport,therepresentativepersonsdosecalculationsassumedthatconcentrationsatthelimitofdetection(e.g.<10Bqkg-1,indicatingtherange0-10Bqkg-1)wereattheupperlimitofthisrange(i.e.10Bqkg-1).Thedosesthereforerepresentanupperboundtothosethatwouldactuallybereceivedbythemorehighlyexposedindividualsinthepopulation.

5 DosestoadultsareshowninFigureC1anddemonstratethatthetwohighestdoseprofilesoverallwereOccupantsoverSedimentandMolluscConsumers.Dosesin2016forOccupantsoverSedimentwere40µSvwith87%ofthisdosebeingfromexposuretoexternalgammairradiationwhilstonsedimentsandtheremainderbeingmostlyfromtheconsumptionofmarinefoodstuffs.DosestotheMolluscConsumersin2016were83µSvwith33%ofthisdosebeingfromexternalgammairradiationwhilstonsediments.Theconsumptionofmolluscsaccountedfor40%ofthetotal.TheRadiological

ImpactofOperationsatSellafieldsectionofthisreportpresentsthedosetoadultmembersofthemarineCriticalGroupas57µSvthroughmarinefoodstuffconsumption,andatotaldose,includingexposureonsediments,terrestrialpathwaysanddirectshineas110µSv.ThisdemonstratesthatthedoseassessmentmethodologyappliedintheRadiologicalImpactofOperationsatSellafieldsectionofthisreportprovidesaconservativeestimatebycompoundingtheimpactsofallhabitsatthehighestrates.

6 Dosesfromterrestrialexposurepathwaysin2016toadultrepresentativepersonswerehighestfortheprofileLocalInhabitants(0-0.25km).Thisgroupreceivedadoseof9µSvintotal,including0.4µSvfrommarineexposurepathways.Thedosethatwasreceivedwasdominatedbydirectshinefromthesite(60%),theconsumptionoflocallygrownpotatoes(15%)andexposuretoairborneradioactivity(13%)withotherterrestrialfoodstuffpathwaysandexposuretomarinesedimentsaccountingfortheremainder.Theestimateddosetoadultsintheterrestrialcriticalgroup,presentedintheRadiologicalImpactofOperationsatSellafieldsectionofthisreport,was16µSvwhichishigherthantheestimatesfortheRepresentativePersonanddemonstratesthatthemethodologyintheRadiologicalImpactofOperationsatSellafieldsectionprovidesconservativeresults.

7 FigureC2presentsthedosestochildrenusingtheRepresentativePersonsmethodology.AsfoundforadultsthetwohighestgroupsoverallwereOccupantsoverSedimentandMolluscConsumers.ThedosesreceivedbyRepresentativePersonsinthechildagegroupwereapproximatelyhalfthoseestimatedforadults(20µSvbeingreceivedbyOccupantsoverSedimentand30µSvreceivedbyMolluscConsumersin2016).DosestochildrenwhereterrestrialpathwaysdominatedwerehighestforLocalInhabitants(0-0.25km),withatotaldoseof9µSvbeingestimatedfor2016with62%duetodirectshine.ItshouldbenotedthattheRepresentativePersonsmethodologyassumesthatadults,childrenandinfantshavethesamedirectshineexposure.Thedosetoachildmemberoftheterrestrialcriticalgroup,detailedintheRadiologicalImpactofOperationsatSellafieldsectionofthisreport,was7µSv.AlthoughtheCEFAShabitdata4 didnotidentifyanychildrenlivingclosetothesiteforthesakeofcompletenessanadditional4µSvduetodirectshinefromthesitecouldbedeterminedbasedoninfanthabitdata.Thetotaldoseof11µSvisincloseagreementwiththatestimatedfortherepresentativeperson(9µSv),notingthedifferencesintheassumptionregardingdirectshineexposure,anddemonstratesthatthemethodologyintheRadiologicalImpactofOperationsatSellafieldsectionprovidesconservativeresults.

8 FigureC3presentsthedosestoinfantsusingtheRepresentativePersonsmethodology.ThetwohighestgroupsoverallwereOtherDomesticVegetableConsumersandLocalInhabitants(0-0.25km).Thedosestoinfantswerelessthan10µSvandthereforeconsiderablylowerthanthedosestoadultorchildrepresentativepersons.TerrestrialpathwaysdominatedforOtherDomesticVegetableConsumersandLocalInhabitants


(0-0.25km)withtotaldosesof7µSvand8µSv,respectively,beingreceivedin2016.ThedoseassessmentintheRadiologicalImpactofOperationsatSellafieldsectionofthisreportcalculatedadosetoinfantmembersoftheterrestrialcriticalgroupof5µSvwithanadditional4µSvbeingcalculatedfromdirectshinefromthesitebasedonCEFAShabitdata4.Thedosesfromthedifferentmethodologiesareincloseagreement,notingthedifferencesintheassumptionregardingdirectshineexposure,althoughdemonstratethatthemethodologyintheRadiologicalImpactofOperationsatSellafieldsectionprovidesconservativeresults.

9 Inconclusion,theRepresentativePersonsmethodology,asappliedintheRIFEseriesofreports,providesrealisticestimatesofpeakdosestothemostexposedindividualsinthepopulationandtheCriticalGroupapproachappliedbySellafieldLtdismoreconservative.ThereisthereforenorequirementtomodifytheCriticalGroupmethodologyappliedinthisreportfordeterminingradiologicaldosestothepublic.

References1. InternationalCommissiononRadiologicalProtection

(2006).Assessing dose of the representative person for the purpose of radiation protection of the public and the optimisation of radiological protection: Broadening the process.ICRPPublication101.Ann.ICRP36(3).

2. GarrodC.J.andClyneF.J(2017).Radiological Habits Survey: Sellafield Review.RL03/17.CefasLowestoft.

3. ClyneF.J.,TippleJ.R.,GarrodC.J.andJeffsT.M.(2009).Radiological Habits Survey: Sellafield, 2008.RL02/09.CefasLowestoft.

4. ClyneF.J.,GarrodC.J.andPapworthG.P.(2014).Radiological Habits Survey: Sellafield, 2013.RL02/14.CefasLowestoft.




Figure C1: Radiological doses to adult representative persons (2012-2016).

86

Figure D1: Radiological doses to adult representative persons (2012-2016).

20122013201420152016

Figure C2: Radiological doses to child representative persons (2012-2016).

87

Figure D2: Radiological doses to child representative persons (2012-2016).

20122013201420152016


Figure C3: Radiological doses to infant representative persons (2012-2016).

88

Figure D3: Radiological doses to infant representative persons (2012-2016).

20122013201420152016


GlossaryDischarges and Environmental MonitoringAnnual Report 2016


Glossary of terms and abbreviationsAbsorbed radiation doseQuantityofenergyimpartedbyionisingradiationtounitmassofmattersuchastissue.TheunitistheGray(Gy).1Gy=1jouleperkilogram.

Activation productsRadionuclidesproducedbytheinteractionofneutronswithstablenuclides.

Activity See radioactivity.

Alpha activityRadionuclidesthatdecaybyemittinganalphaparticle.Thelatterconsistsoftwoprotonsandtwoneutrons.

ALARA (As Low as Reasonably Achievable)RadiationdosesfromasourceofexposureareALARAwhentheyareconsistentwiththerelevantdoseortargetstandardandhavebeenreducedtoalevelthatrepresentsabalancebetweenradiologicalandotherfactors,includingsocialandeconomic.Thelevelofprotectionmaythenbesaidtobeoptimised.

AuthorisationPermissiongivenbyregulatoryauthorityundertheRadioactive Substances ActorEnvironmental Protection Acttodisposeofrespectivelyradioactiveandnon-radioactivewaste,subjecttoconditions.

Basic Safety Standards Directive (BSS)EuropeanCommunityDirective80/836/Euratom,BasicSafetyStandardsfortheHealthProtectionoftheGeneralPublicandWorkersagainsttheDangersofIonisingRadiation.ThesestandardswereadoptedasEuropeanLawin1980.ArevisedDirective96/29/EuratomwasadoptedinMay1996forimplementationinMemberStatesbyMay2000.TheRadioactiveSubstances(BasicSafetyStandards)Direction2000isthemeansbywhichtheBSSDirectivehasbeenimplementedinEnglandandWales,andinScotland,withrespecttotheRadioactive Substances Act 1993.OtherprovisionsoftheBSSDirectivewereimplementedthroughtheIonising Radiation Regulations 1999.

BecquerelTheSIunitofradioactivityequaltoonetransformationpersecond.

BAT (Best Available Technique) “Best”–meansthemosteffectivetechniquesforachievingahighlevelofprotectionoftheenvironmentasawhole.“Available” –meanstechniquesdevelopedonascalewhichallowsthemtobeusedintherelevantindustrialsector,undereconomicallyandtechnicallyviableconditions,takingintoaccountofthecostsandadvantages.“Techniques” –includesboththetechnologyandthewaytheinstallationisdesigned,built,maintained,operatedanddecommissioned.ApplicationofBATiscentraltoPPCcomplianceandguidanceonwhatconstitutesBATisprovidedbytheEA.

Beta activityRadionuclidesthatdecaybyemittingabetaparticle(anelectronwithhighenergy).

CefasTheCentreforEnvironment,FisheriesandAquacultureScienceisascientificresearchandadvisorycentreforfisheriesmanagementandenvironmentalprotection.ItisanAgencyoftheUKGovernment’sDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).Itwasformedin1997fromtheFisheriesResearchLaboratoryofMAFFanditsLowestoftlaboratorycarriesouthabitsurveysandmonitoringofradioactivityintheenvironmentonbehalfoftheFood Standards Agency.

Collective dose See dose.

Committed effective dose See dose.

Critical groupAgroupofmembersofthepublicwhoseradiationexposureisreasonablyhomogeneousandistypicalofthepeoplereceivingthehighestdosefromaradiationsource.Thecriticalgroupdoseiscalculatedasthemeaneffectivedosetomembersofthegroup.Theaveragememberofthecriticalgroupisequivalenttothe‘representativeperson’.

Defra (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)Formedin2001fromMAFFandistheenvironmentalsectionoftheDepartmentofEnvironment,TransportandtheRegions(DETR).ItisthesponsoringdepartmentfortheEA,andisresponsibleinteraliaforenvironmentalpolicyinEngland,includingthatforthemanagementanddisposalofradioactivewastes.

Direct radiationTermusedtorefertoradiationdirectfromanuclearsiteasdistinctfromtheradiationemittedfromdischargedradioactivewastes.

DoseAmeasureofradiationreceived,whichmaybequantifiedinseveraldifferentways.Thedosequantitiesmostcommonlyreferredtoaredefinedbelow.Inthisdocumentitisusedprimarilytomeanthe‘effectivedose’receivedbymembersofcriticalgroups.

Absorbed doseThemeanenergyimpartedbyionisingradiationtomatterinagivenvolumedividedbythemassofthematter.Normallyusedinthecontextofthedoseaveragedoveranorganortissue.TheunitistheGray(Gy)(seeinsidefrontcover).

Equivalent dose Theabsorbed doseinatissueororganweightedbytheradiationweightingfactor(e.g.alphaparticles=20,betaparticles=1,gammarays=1)whichallowsforthedifferenteffectivenessofvarioustypesofionisingradiationsincausingharmtotissues.TheunitistheSievert(Sv)(seeinsidefrontcover).

Effective dose Thesumoftheequivalent dosesinalltissuesandorgansofthebodyfrominternalandexternalradiationmultipliedbythetissueweightingfactor(e.g.skin=0.01,thyroid=0.05,redbonemarrow=0.12,gonads=0.20).Itallowsthevariousequivalentdosesinthebodytoberepresentedbyasinglenumbergivingabroadindicationofthedetrimenttothehealthofanindividualfromexposuretoionisingradiation,regardlessoftheenergyandtypeofradiation.Forcomparisonwithdoselimits,thetermtakesonaspecificmeaning(seebelow).

Committed effective doseThetimeintegraloftheeffective dosefromingestedandinhaledradioactivitydeliveredover50years(adults,whoarecautiouslyassumedtobe20yearsoldatthetimeofintake)ortoage70years(children).Foraparticularradionuclide,itisafunctionofthedistributionwithinandclearancefromthebodyandalsotheradioactivehalf-life.Forradionuclideswhichareclearedquicklyfromthebody(e.g.caesium-137)orwhichhaveashorthalf-life (e.g.sulphur-35),mostofthecommittedeffectivedoseisdeliveredintheyearinwhichtheintakeofactivitytookplace.Forothers,suchasplutonium,thecommitteddoseisdeliveredovertheremaininglifetimeoftheindividualandsothedoseintheyearofintakeismuchlowerthanthecommitteddose.


Effective dose (definition used for calculation of critical group doses and for comparison with dose limits)Theoverallannualeffectivedoseisthesumofcommitted effective dosesfromintakesofradionuclidesinagivenyearandtheeffectivedosefromexternalirradiationinthatyear.Itisthisquantitythatshouldbecomparedwiththeannuallimitoneffectivedose(dose limit).

Collective doseThesummationofindividualeffectivedosesreceivedbythepopulationofadefinedgeographicalareaoveradefinedperiodoftime.A500yearintegrationperiodisusedinthisreport(seeparagraph20ofAppendixA).Theunitisthemansievert(manSv).

Dose constraint Arestrictiononannualdosetoanindividualfromasinglesource,appliedatthedesignandplanningstageofanyactivityinordertoensurethatwhenaggregatedwithdosesfromallsources,excludingnaturalbackgroundandmedicalprocedures,thedoselimitisnotexceeded.

Dose limitForthepurposeofdischargeauthorisations,since1986theUKhasappliedadoselimitof1mSv(1000µSv)perannumtomembersofthepublicfromallman-madesourcesofradiation(otherthanmedicalexposure).ThislimitisnowincorporatedintoUKlaw(seeBasic Safety Standards Directive).

EA (Environment Agency)TheleadingpublicbodyforprotectingandimprovingtheenvironmentinEnglandandWales(seeDefra).

Effective dose See dose.

Environment Act 1995ThelegislationgivingtheEAitspowers,aimsandobjectives.

Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations (2016)TheEnvironmentalPermitting(EnglandandWales)Regulations2016extendthepermittingregimeintroducedin2010whichincludedwaterdischargeconsents,groundwaterpermitsandradioactivesubstancesregulations.

Equivalent dose See dose.

Fission productsNuclearfissionisthesplittingofaheavyatomicnucleussuchasuraniuminto(usually)twonuclei,eitherspontaneouslyorundertheimpactofanotherparticle,withresultingincreaseofenergy.Thetwonucleiarecalledfissionproducts.

Fluorinated Greenhouse Gases Fluorinatedgreenhousegasesarepowerfulgreenhousegasesthattrapheatintheatmosphereandcontributetoglobalwarming.Themostcommonlyusedfluorinatedgreenhousegasesbelongtoaclassofchemicalsknownashydrofluorocarbons(HFCs)andarebeingusedtoreplaceozonedepletingsubstances,anexamplebeingrefrigerationandairconditioningequipment.

Food Standards AgencyFormedinApril2000frompartsofMAFFandtheDepartmentofHealth.ItisresponsibleforfoodsafetyissuesintheUK.AlthoughitisaGovernmentagencyitdoesnotreporttoaspecificministerandisfreetopublishanyadviceitissues.ItisaccountabletoParliamentthroughHealthMinistersandtothedevolvedadministrationsinScotland,WalesandNorthernIrelandforitsactivitieswithintheirrespectiveareas.

GrayTheSIunitofabsorbeddose.

Half-life (radioactive)Thetimetakenfortheradioactivityofaradionuclidetodecreasetoonehalfofitsinitialvaluebyradioactivedecay.Half-livesrangefromfractionsofasecondtomillionsofyears.

Half-life (biological)Theeffectivehalf-lifeinthehumanbodyofaquantityofingestedradioactivityisafunctionoftheradioactivehalf-lifeandbiokineticbehaviour.

High Level Waste (HLW)Wastethatissufficientlyradioactivethatthegenerationofheatneedstobetakenintoaccountinthedesignofdisposalorstoragefacilities.

HPA (Health Protection Agency)Anon-departmentalpublicbodyestablishedin2003toprovideanintegratedapproachtoprotectingUKpublichealth.MergedwiththeNRPBon1April2005toformtheHPARadiationProtectionDivision.BecamepartofPublic Health Englandon1April2013.

Intermediate Level Waste (ILW)Wastewithradioactivitylevelsexceedingtheupperboundariesforlowlevelwastebutwhichdoesnotrequireheatgenerationbythewastetobeaccountedforinthedesignofdisposalorstoragefacilities.

ICRPInternationalCommissiononRadiologicalProtection.Anindependentgroupofexpertsfoundedin1928whichprovidesguidanceonprinciplesandcriteriainthefieldofradiologicalprotection.TherecommendationsarenotlegallybindingbutareacceptedasthebasisfornationallegislationinmostcountriesincludingtheUK.

Ionising Radiation Regulations 1999 (IRRs 1999) TheseregulationsundertheHealthandSafetyatWorkAct1974inpartimplementtheEuropeanBasic Safety Standards Directive of 1996.

Low level waste (LLW)Wastecontaininglevelsofradioactivitygreaterthanthoseacceptablefordustbindisposalbutnotexceeding4GBqpertonneofalpha-emittingradionuclidesor12GBqpertonneofbeta-emittingradionuclides.

LLWRTheUK’snationallowlevelradioactivewastefacility,locatedclosetotheWestCumbriancoastlineinthenorth-westofEngland.

MAFF (Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food) SupersededbyDefra.MAFF’sstatutoryresponsibilitiesforfoodsafetyissuesintheUKhavebeenpassedtotheFood Standards Agency.

MagnoxAmagnesium/aluminiumalloythatisusedinthemanufactureofthecanisterforuraniumfuelmetal(‘Magnoxfuel’)usedinatypeofnuclearreactor(‘Magnoxreactor’).

National Dose Assessment Working Group (NDAWG) Publishesguidanceontheassessmentofpublicdosefrompast,presentandfuturedischargesanddirectradiationfromthenuclearindustryandminorusersofradioactivity.MembershipcomprisesUKGovernmentagency,nuclearindustryandindependentexperts.


NDA (Nuclear Decommissioning Authority) Thepublicbodysetupin2005,taskedbyHerMajesty’sGovernmentwithtakingstrategicresponsibilityforthedecommissioningofcivilpublicsectornuclearsitesintheUK.TheNDAownsthe20nuclearlegacysitesintheUKincludingtheoperatinganddecommissioningplantsatSellafieldinWestCumbria.TheNDAdoesnotcarryouttheoperationsorclean-upworkitselfbutplacescontractswithSellafieldLtdwhoareresponsibleforoperationsonsite.

NIEA NorthernIrelandEnvironmentAgency

NNL NationalNuclearLaboratory

NRPB (National Radiological Protection Board) MergedwiththeHealth Protection Agencyon1April2005formingitsnewRadiationProtectionDivision.AnindependentstatutorybodysetupbytheRadiologicalProtectionAct1970toadvancetheacquisitionofknowledgeabouttheprotectionofmankindfromradiationhazardsandtoprovideinformationandadviceonmattersrelatingtoradiologicalprotectionandradiationhazards,includingtheinterpretationofICRPrecommendations.

NRW NaturalResourcesWales

ONR (Office for Nuclear Regulation)PartoftheHealthandSafetyExecutive.ItisresponsibleforenforcinglegislationrelatingtonuclearsafetyundertheNuclearinstallationsAct1965.

OSPAR ConventionTheOsloParisConvention.Contractingparties(includingtheUK)havesigneduptodelivertheNorth-EastAtlanticEnvironmentStrategywhichincludestheOSPARRadioactiveSubstancesStrategy.Thisincludesastrategicobjective,withregardtoradioactivesubstances,topreventpollutionoftheOSPARmaritimeareafromionisingradiation.TheRadioactiveSubstancesstrategyincludesnumerousdifferentelements,relatingtodischarges,concentrationsandapplicationofBAT.

Ozone Depleting Substances (ODS) Substancesthat,ifallowedtoescape,damagetheozonelayerintheupperatmosphere.Ozonedepletingsubstancesincludechlorofluorocarbons(CFCs)andhydrochlorofluorocarbons(HCFCs).ManyODSarebannedorarebeingphasedoutbytheFluorinated Greenhouse Gases Regulations 2009.

PHE (Public Health England)AnexecutiveagencyoftheDepartmentofHealthestablished1April2013tobringtogetherpublichealthspecialists,includingthoseintheHealth Protection Agency,toformasingleorganisationtaskedwithpublichealthprotection.PHE’sCentreforRadiation,ChemicalandEnvironmentalHazardsprovidesexpertadviceonallaspectsofradiologicalprotection.

PPCPollutionPreventionandControlRegulations2000.

Quarterly Notification Level (QNL)QuarterlydischargeordisposallevelsthattheEAmayspecifyinRSA authorisations.TheyenabletheapplicationofBATtobemonitoredbytheEA.ExceedingaQNLrequirestheoperatortosubmitawrittenjustificationoftheBPMusedtolimitdischarges.

Radioactive Substances Act (RSA) 1960, 1993 Statutorylegislationtocontrolthekeepinganduseofradioactivesubstancesandtheaccumulationdischargeordisposalofradioactive waste.

Radioactive wasteMaterialthatcontainsradioactivityabovetheappropriatelevelsspecifiedintheRadioactive Substances Act 1993andwhichmeetsthedefinitionofwastegivenintheAct.

RadioactivityThespontaneousdisintegrationofatomicnuclei.Radioactivesubstancesortheradiationtheyemit(e.g.alphaparticles,betaparticles,gammarays);therateofradioactivedecay.Measuredinthestandardinternational(SI)unit,Becquerels(Bq)ortheirmultiplesorsub-multiples(seeinsidefrontcover).

RadionuclideAradioactiveisotopeofanelement.

Representative personAnindividualreceivingadosethatisrepresentativeofthemorehighlyexposedindividualsinthepopulation.Thistermisequivalentto‘averagememberofthecriticalgroup’.

SEMP StatutoryEnvironmentalMonitoringProgramme

SEPAScottishEnvironmentProtectionAgency.

SievertTheSIunitofequivalent dose and effective dose.

Thorp (Thermal Oxide Reprocessing Plant) AplantatSellafieldwhereoxidefuelsfromAdvancedGasCooledReactorsandLightWaterReactorshavebeenreprocessedsince1995.

UKAEAUnitedKingdomAtomicEnergyAuthority.

Waste hierarchyThewastehierarchyisausefulframeworkwhichsetsouttheorderinwhichoptionsforwastemanagementshouldbeconsidered,basedonenvironmentalimpact.Theframeworkisbasedontryingtoavoidthecreationofwasteinthefirstinstance,ifthisisnotpossiblethenworkingdownthehierarchytryingtominimise,re-use/recycleasmuchofthewasteaspossible.Thelastresortistodisposeofthewastetolandfill.

SellafieldSite,Seascale,CumbriaCA201PGUK

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