Guidance

Radioactivity at Dalgety Bay: questions and answers

Published 15 November 2011

0.1 Q1. When and where was radioactive material first discovered on the beach at Dalgety Bay?

Radioactive material was first found in Dalgety Bay in 1990. Details of the distribution are found on the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) website: www.sepa.org.uk [external link].

0.2 Q2. Where has the radioactive material on the beach at Dalgety Bay come from?

The radioactive material is believed to come from the disposal by burning of the remnants of unwanted wartime aircraft. The radioactivity is likely to have come from their flight instruments and dials that were painted with radium to make them luminous in the dark.

0.3 Q3. What is the form of the radioactive material?

The radioactive material on the beach consists of discrete items (not a uniformly distributed “dust”) containing material that emits radiation. The radioactive material is radium, which occurs naturally but not in the form and quantities found. Some radioactive items are found on the surface but others are buried. There is a range of sizes from relatively large lumps of clinker-like material to smaller particles, about the size of a grain of sand.

0.4 Q4. Will I be exposed to radiation if I go on the beach, how can I prevent this?

Subject to any local restrictions in place, there is no reason for beach users to stop using the area eg for walking or sailing. As a precaution parents may wish to consider stopping their children digging in the sand.

PHE recommends that you do not remove material from the beach. PHE also recommends washing hands on leaving the beach area, especially if you have been handling material there, and before eating.

0.5 Q5. What are the health risks from the radioactivity on the beach?

From the data seen so far PHE advice continues to be that the overall health risk is likely to be low. Whilst there is a risk of health effects if a radioactive object is swallowed, breathed in or is in prolonged contact with the skin, in general the chance of coming into contact with a radioactively contaminated object on the beach is small.

However, the removal of artefacts or behaviours that are likely to lead to significant amounts of beach material being retained on exposed skin, could increase the risk. Therefore any local advice should be followed.

0.6 Q6. I have spent time on the beach, should I go to my doctor?

You do not need to go to your doctor.

Whilst there is a risk of health effects if a radioactive object is swallowed breathed in or is in prolonged contact with the skin, in general the chance of coming into contact with a radioactively contaminated object on the beach is small.

There are no medical tests that can detect this low level of exposure or distinguish it from natural background radiation.

0.7 Q7. My dog has been on the beach, picking up stones, sticks, etc. Is it likely to be affected?

PHE cannot comment on animal health.

0.8 Q8. Should all access to the beach at Dalgety Bay be restricted?

No. Follow the information provided on the beach signage.

0.9 Q9. I have taken sand/shells/stones/artefacts from the beach. Am I likely to be affected and what should I do?

It is unlikely that sand, shells or stones taken from the beach will have significant radioactivity. If you have any concerns about artefacts removed please contact SEPA.

0.10 Q10. What should I do with shoes and clothing that I usually take to the beach?

No special action is required. It is unlikely that there will have been any contact with a radioactive object and even less likely that it might have stuck to shoes or clothing.

0.11 Q11. Should picking litter in the area on and around the beach be suspended?

The risk of radioactive material, especially the most active, becoming attached to litter is extremely remote. There is a much greater general hygiene risk associated with picking litter but properly handled with appropriate hygiene precautions, e.g. gloves, the risk to health is very small.

0.12 Q12. My child has been on the beach at Dalgety Bay. Are they at greater risk?

Normal activities at Dalgety Bay are no more risky for children than anyone else in the population. Since children are more likely to dig at beaches, as a precaution parents should consider stopping their children digging in the sand.

0.13 Q13. I have had cancer treatment, would that put me at greater risk if I visited Dalgety Bay?

Normal activities at Dalgety Bay are no more risky for cancer patients, or patients taking any particular types of medication, than anyone else in the population. The advice on the beach signage should be followed by everyone.

0.14 Q14. What should I do if I have a skin problem after being on the beach at Dalgety Bay?

It is extremely unlikely that any skin condition would have been caused by radioactive object at Dalgety Bay. However, as with any medical problem, if you are concerned you should seek your GP’s advice.

0.15 Q15. What is radiation?

Radiation is energy that travels in the form of invisible waves and microscopic high speed particles. Most of the radiation we are exposed to comes from natural sources. More information on radiation.

0.16 Q16. What is “background radiation”?

We are all exposed to “background radiation” due to small quantities of radioactive material in the natural environment (soil, food, water and air) and penetrating rays from outer space.

0.17 Q17. How can you detect radiation?

Radiation cannot be detected by the human senses. Electrically operated instruments are usually used to detect and measure radiation. The most common portable instruments contain a Geiger-Mueller (GM) tube or scintillation probe.