A review of Defence Estates' monitoring of radioactive contamination at Dalgety Bay in Fife has concluded the beach repopulates with particles within a few months of removal and a new risk assessment of the hazards they pose is now underway.
A meeting of the Dalgety Bay Forum heard an update on monitoring and particle removal work on the beach and that the Scottish Environment Protection Agency and DE will now work on a new risk assessment.
The Forum agreed that, in the meantime, an interim monitoring programme should be carried out but commitments on how this will happen remain to be agreed.
"The Radioactive Contaminated Land Regulations 2007 and the associated guidance placed upon SEPA a duty with respect to situations where lasting exposure to radiation could occur or where there is a significant possibility of an occurrence of radiation exposure" said SEPA Radioactive Substances Unit manager Jim Gemmill.
"Dalgety Bay has been identified as a priority for assessment by SEPA, as historical reports have shown there is a potential for significant doses to be received by members of the public."
Dr Gemmill said SEPA and DE would liaise on the interim monitoring programme.
