HC Deb 11 June 1986 vol 99 cc208-9W
Mr. Willie W. Hamilton

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) if he has any plans for the initiation of a comprehensive programme for education of the people of Scotland on the effects and dangers of radiation; and if he will make a statement;

(2) if he will consider the publication of a pamphlet, explaining as simply as possible, the problems associated with radiation in milk, water, foodstuffs and in the environment generally; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Ancram

I understand that the National Radiological Protection Board proposes a revision of its explanatory booklet "Living with Radiation" which is aimed at educating the public about the effects and dangers of radiation and is written in as simple terms as is consistent with accuracy. This is due to be published within the next month or two. I have asked the Scottish Development Department to liaise with the board on the preparation of the booklet.

Mr. Willie W. Hamilton

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish a table showing radioactive safety limits for (i) a dose, (ii) activity of background radiation, (iii) activity of a litre of milk and (iv) activity of a litre of drinking water.

Mr. Ancram

The National Radiological Protection Board has recommended lower and upper emergency reference levels of dose for the protection of the pubic from the consequences of accidents involving radiation. The lower levels are recommended as those above which certain precautions should be considered; upper levels are those at which such measures must be taken. The board has further published lower and upper derived emergency

TABLE 1
Emergency reference levels of dose (millisieverts)
Lower Upper
Whole body Thyroid, lung or other single organs Skin Whole body Thyroid, lung or other single organs Skin
Exacuation 100 300 1,000 500 1,500 5,000
Sheltering 5 50 50 25 250 250
Distribution of stable iodine tablets N/A 50 N/A N/A 250 N/A
Restriction on consumption of food and water 5 50 N/A 50 500 N/A
N/A—Not applicable.
TABLE 2
Derived emergency reference level (becquerels per litre)
Milk* Drinking water
Radionuclide Lower Upper Lower Upper
Iodine 131 2x 10 3 2x 10 4 2.4 x 10 3 2.4 x 10 4
Caesium 134 3.1 x 10 3 3.1 x 10 4 6.2 x 10 3 6.2 x 10 4
Caesium 137 3.6 x 10 3 3.6 x 10 4 7.3 x 10 3 7.3 x 10 4
* Refers to the peak concentration.
Refers to the initial concentration and assumes the provision of an uncontaminated supply after 14 days.
TABLE 3
Derived emergency reference level for evacuation (becquerels per square metre)
Radionuclide Lower Upper
4 x 108 2 x 109
Caesium 134 6.5 x 107 3.3 x 108
Caesium 137 1.8 x 108 8.9 x 108

Mr. Willie W. Hamilton

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what research has been done on the effects of radiation in Scotland on the human foetus.

Mr. John MacKay

There is no current research in Scotland specifically on the effects of ionising radiation on the human foetus.