asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will carry out detailed surveys on the effects of nuclear radiation on (a) the atmosphere, (b) agriculture, including both animals and plants, (c) buildings and (d) public health; and if he will publish the results of such surveys.
Environmental monitoring is carried out around all the major nuclear establishments as a matter of routine. The results are available in annual reports produced by UKAEA, BNFL and CEGB, which can be obtained from those organisations.
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what are the gamma radiation levels of sand near Whitehaven Harbour; and whether he is satisfied that they represent an acceptable level of exposure for the general population.
When Whitehaven Harbour and the immediate surrounding area were surveyed earlier this year by inspectors from my Department gamma radiation levels were found to range from to 0· to 0·8 millirads/hour. I am advised that, at these levels, there is no risk to members of the public.