Research and analysis

Transport of radioactive materials in the UK: review 1958 to 2004

This report (HPA-RPD-014) reviews events involving the transport of radioactive materials in the UK and their radiological consequences.

Documents

HPA-RPD-014: review of events involving the transport of radioactive materials in the UK, from 1958 to 2004, and their radiological consequences

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Details

Radioactive materials need to be transported from suppliers to customers, and for some radioactive wastes to be returned from customers to suppliers or to waste facilities. All these materials are normally transported by road.

Radioactive materials associated with the nuclear industry are mainly moved by rail. Also, exports and imports of radioactive materials are made by sea and air.

During these shipments accidents and incidents can occur. Records of these events are collated and held on the Radioactive Material Transport Event Database (RAMTED) which contains information on over 800 events that occurred 1958-2004.

The analysis of the information in the database provides an overview of the types of events that have featured throughout the period covered.

Published 1 July 2006