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Scientific Services provides a service in the following aspects of radioactivity:
Radon Gas Monitoring in County Properties
The County Council is responsible for a large number of properties. It has a duty to ensure that the occupants are not exposed to levels of the naturally occurring gas radon above limits that are considered acceptable.
Radon gas enters buildings from the ground through cracks and holes in the floor and walls and when breathed in over an extended period of time can increase the risk of developing lung cancer.
Scientists from the department carry out surveys for radon gas in county properties and provide advice on reducing radon levels in buildings.
Monitoring of Radioactive Sources in County Schools
Radioactive sources are used in schools for demonstration purposes. Radiation protection specialists from the department carry out a regular programme of monitoring of sources to confirm compliance with safety standards.
Assisting at the time of a Nuclear Emergency
Should a nuclear emergency occur at Hinkley Point power station, senior departmental staff would be involved in the contribution the County Council makes in the multi-agency response to manage the emergency. In addition, scientists from the department would be called to monitor people for radioactive contamination if they were evacuated from a nuclear emergency zone.
Somerset Environmental Radioactivity Monitoring Programme
Between 1986 and 2004 Scientific Services organised a programme to monitor the levels of radiation and radioactivity in the Somerset environment. The reports for 2001/02 and 2003/04 are available via the above link.
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