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GOVERNMENT WATCHDOG REPORTS ON THE PROBLEMS OF "SMALL USERS" OF RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS

Press release
6 September 2000

Commenting on the release today of his Committee's report on the use of radioactive materials outside the nuclear sector, Professor Charles Curtis, Chairman of the independent Radioactive Waste Management Advisory Committee (RWMAC) said :

"We often forget that radioactive materials are used extensively in hospitals, universities and non-nuclear industries. The benefits to the public are immense, but the difficulties experienced by these "Small Users", particularly in dealing with radioactive wastes, should not be underestimated."

The current study, requested by Government Ministers, follows up work undertaken by RWMAC into the Small User sector in 1991 and 1996. The Committee found that, in terms of the experience of regulation, Small Users now suffer fewer difficulties than was the case during most of the 1990s and the environment agencies deserve credit for promoting improvements in the way Small Users are regulated.

RWMAC makes two major recommendations which it asks the Government and regulators to consider. First, while supporting the Government's desire to see progressive and substantial reductions in radioactive waste discharges, the Committee is concerned that there can come a point where the additional small reductions in radiation exposure of the public are so expensive to achieve that the benefit is outweighed by the cost. Spending scarce resources on reducing discharges that are already very low, rather than on, for example, hospital investment, could ultimately prejudice access to some forms of treatment. The Committee stresses that it is talking here of instances where the maximum additional exposure to an individual would be about one per cent of the average dose that everyone in the UK receives every day from natural background sources. It therefore advises the Government and the regulators to proceed with sensitivity on this issue.

Second, RWMAC recommends that the Government should consider making additional funds available to the NHS and higher education sectors to allow effective management of redundant radioactive sources. Quite large numbers of these sources, used commonly in medical treatment and research, have had to be retained on premises long after their useful life has ended because of the currently high cost of ensuring their safe disposal. Alternatively, the Government could consider setting up a suitably funded body to collect and dispose of these sources, such as exists in France. There is a potential for accidents associated with some of these old sources. To help minimise this risk, RWMAC also recommends consideration of future arrangements whereby the cost of the ultimate disposal of new sources is covered by their purchase price at the outset.

In the course of its study, RWMAC took account of information supplied through a questionnaire exercise targeted on Radiation Protection Advisers employed by Small Users. The Committee also held meetings with the Environment Agency and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency and with a representative panel of Small Users themselves.

RWMAC also recommends :

• making better use of landfill sites for the disposal of some Small User low activity wastes, as long as the containment offered by such sites can guarantee the long-term safety of the wastes. This "controlled burial" would provide direct benefits for Small Users, both in waste management and cost terms. It would also mean that such wastes were not sent, unnecessarily, to the Drigg national repository for more active low level wastes;
• establishment by the environment agencies of a permanent source of advice for Small Users (a "help desk") to assist them in a fuller understanding of the relevant legislation and regulations.
• that the environment agencies review their staff training and internal communication arrangements with a view to ensuring consistent and effective regulation of Small Users.

Notes for editors

"Small Users" is a convenient term for organisations outside the civil nuclear industry and defence sectors that use radioactive materials for diagnostic, therapeutic, industrial, teaching and research purposes. The most significant Small Users are hospitals, universities and a few companies specialising in the life sciences.

RWMAC is the independent body that gives advice to the UK Government, including the devolved administrations for Scotland and Wales, on policy and practices relating to the management of radioactive wastes.

The bodies responsible for the regulation of Small User radioactive waste management are the Environment Agency for England and Wales, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency, and the Industrial Pollution and Radiochemical Inspectorate for Northern Ireland.

In its UK Strategy for Radioactive Discharges (2001-2020) consultation paper, issued in June 2000, the Government stated that, amongst other provisions, it was looking for "progressive and substantial reductions in the radioactive discharges from the UK as a whole and from each of the main sectors responsible for discharges".

The findings of the RWMAC report were submitted as advice to Environment Ministers for England, Scotland and Wales in early June 2000. The advice was also sent to the Departments for Education & Employment and Health.

The text of the report can be found on the RWMAC website

Copies of the report can be purchased from : Publications Sales Centre, Unit 8, Goldthorpe Industrial Estate, Goldthorpe, Rotherham S63 9BL (01709 891318)

Press Enquiries : 0207 944 6260 (RWMAC Secretariat)