FAQs
Why do we need to conduct habits surveys?
Nuclear sites produce radioactive waste during their routine operations and controlled amounts of the waste are released into the air and discharged into rivers or the sea. As a result of this the public may be exposed to radioactivity via the environment and the food chain. The diagram below shows the main ways that people could be exposed to discharges from nuclear sites. Monitoring programmes are carried out to ensure that the radioactivity in food and the environment does not compromise public health. Habits surveys are conducted to ensure we can produce accurate dose assessments which are used in the Radioactivity In Food and the Environment report https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/radioactivity-in-food-and-the-environment-rife-reports .
Who is responsible for regulating exposure to radioactivity from nuclear sites?
The Environment Agency (EA), Food Standards Agency (FSA) and the Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) are responsible for monitoring radioactivity and protecting the public from the potential effects of radiation from nuclear sites in England and Wales. Additionally, in Wales, the nuclear industry is regulated by Natural Resources Wales.
- The EA sets limits on radioactive discharges and monitors the environment
- The FSA advises on permits and monitors food
- The ONR issues nuclear site licences and monitors direct radiation from the sites
The Centre for Environment, Fisheries & Aquaculture Science (Cefas) undertakes habits surveys on behalf of the EA, FSA and ONR.
What are habits surveys?
Habits surveys are studies of the ‘habits’ of people in the vicinity of nuclear sites in order to find out how their diet and activities may influence their exposure to radioactivity. Information collected during voluntary interviews with the public includes:
- The amount of locally produced food that is consumed
- The amount of time spent undertaking activities in coastal areas
- The amount of time spent within 1 km of the nuclear sites
Surveys are carried out approximately every 5 years at each site to reflect possible changes in peoples’ habits. We rely on the cooperation of the public and businesses to allow us to carry out this work. The surveys are undertaken in accordance with the Ethical Assurance for Social Research in Government.
How is the information from habits surveys used?
The information from habits surveys is combined with data on the levels of radioactivity found in locally produced foods and the environment to calculate the level of radiation that members of the public are exposed to. Recent data have shown that public levels of exposure to authorised radioactive discharges at all licensed nuclear sites in the United Kingdom are well below the internationally agreed limit, which is currently 1 mSv (millisievert) per year. Please find more information in the most recent Radioactivity in Food and the Environment report https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/radioactivity-in-food-and-the-environment-rife-reports .
Where are the results available?
Habits survey reports are available on the Cefas website at https://www.cefas.co.uk/services/surveys/habits/
Annual reviews of the public’s exposure to radioactivity from all the nuclear licensed sites in the UK are available in the ‘Radioactivity in Food and the Environment’ (RIFE) reports https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/radioactivity-in-food-and-the-environment-rife-reports .
How will personal data be handled?
Any personal information you give us will be handled in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018 (DPA 2018). The reports produced from the habits surveys do not contain any personal information that would enable individuals to be identified. Please find our privacy notice on our website:
www.cefas.co.uk/surveys/habits
How can I contact the habits survey team?
Email: habits.surveys@cefas.co.uk
Tel: 01502 562244
