Survey of surplus radioactive sources

The Government has made money available to subsidise a programme of surplus radioactive source collections and disposals across the UK up to March 2007. The Environment Agency is managing this programme, working with the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) and the Environment & Heritage Service (EHS) in Northern Ireland.

Subsidies may be available to help museums dispose of surplus radioactive items or sources. Museums registered under the Radioactive Substances Act 1993 to hold radioactive materials have been contacted to get details of surplus sources they wish to get assistance with.

It is believed that non-registered aviation, military, maritime and science & industry museums may also hold exhibits containing radioactivity in the form of radium luminised paint in instrument dials, compasses etc.

It is probable that some museums are unaware that their exhibits may contain radioactive material and it is advisable to seek the advice of a Radiation Protection Adviser (RPA) if you hold instrument dials and similar items in your exhibits.

Details of certified RPA’s are available at www.srp-uk.org/rpa2000

There are legislative requirements for establishments holding radioactive materials which are enforced by the Health & Safety Executive and the Environment Agency / SEPA / EHS. To comply with the legislation may be considered too much of a burden by many museums and they may prefer to dispose of any items containing radioactive material. A Radiation Protection Adviser will be able to advise you on the legislative and disposal requirements.

If you wish to be considered under the subsidised source disposal programme, you can request a questionnaire by e-mailing us at sourceenquiries@environment-agency.gov.uk.

You can either fill in the form electronically or print a paper copy to fill in by hand. Once you have filled in the form please e-mail it to adrian.kesterson@environment-agency.gov.uk

or return a hard copy to:

SSDP
The Environment Agency
Olton Court
10 Warwick Road
Olton
Solihull B92 7HX

If you use the paper form please make sure you make enough copies of page 2 before you fill it in. Please ignore the contact and return instructions listed on the questionnaire as these are no longer available.

To enable the scope of the radium disposal work to be completed within the allotted period we need your questionnaire returns of sources that are likely to become surplus by 30 September 2005. We may not be able to add sources to the disposal programme after that date.

The levels of subsidy available will be finalised once the radium disposal costs are established but may typically be up to 50% of the collection and disposal costs.

Please note that museums owned by the Ministry of Defence are outside the scope of the Disposal Programme and will not be eligible for subsidy.

Please pass this information on to the person responsible for your exhibits as soon as possible. If you have any queries or require further information please contact Adrian Kesterson on 01217084768.

Philip Burns
Project Manager - Surplus Source Disposal Programme