Research and analysis

Best practice techniques for environmental radiological monitoring

Guidance on the best current techniques to monitor radioactivity in the environment.

Documents

Best practice techniques for environmental radiological monitoring

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The Environment Agency authorises the discharges of radioactive wastes as liquids and/or gases from nuclear sites in England and Wales under the Radioactive Substances Act 1993. The Environment Agency requires the nuclear industry to undertake environmental radiological monitoring around its sites and, in addition, it has responsibility for undertaking its own programme as an independent check.

The aim of this project was to identify, and provide guidance on, best practice techniques for these monitoring programmes. These techniques encompass the instrumental monitoring of contamination and dose rates as well as the collection and preparation of food, indicator and air/deposition samples. The criteria used in our selection of techniques were that they should enable the monitoring programme to be efficient and cost-effective, and make use of the best available scientific methods.

Published 1 April 2007