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About your new Somerset Council
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Home Social care and health Radiation emergencies
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Radiation emergencies

Precautions and public health advice on radiation emergencies

  • Radiation regulations 2019

  • Risk of Ionising radiation

  • Hinkley Point

  • More information

  • Contact

Radiation regulations 2019

If you hear of a radiation incident in your area Go in, Stay in and Tune in to local radio or television for information and advice about what actions to take.

Hinkley Point B site ceased generating electricity in August 2022 after over 45 years of operation.

Under the Radiation Emergency Preparedness and Public Information Regulations 2019 (REPPIR), EDF must produce an evaluation of its continuing work with ionising radiation at the site and to identify any hazards that could cause a radiation emergency. This assessment, called a Consequence Report, is used to inform the off-site emergency plan, including the size of the Detailed Emergency Planning Zone (DEPZ) around the site. The DEPZ currently extends to 3.5km from the Hinkley Point B site.

Somerset County Council intends to conduct community engagement events, including an online form and face-to-face drop in sessions in January 2023. More information will be added here in January 2023.

Risk of Ionising radiation

All civil and military facilities working with or transporting ionising radiation pose some risk, however remote, to the general public, and as such a radiation emergency could occur anywhere in Somerset.

To make sure that the likelihood of an incident remains very low, stringent licence conditions control its use, while safety regulations ensure that appropriate emergency plans are in place and the public are:

  • Properly informed and prepared in advance about what to do in the unlikely event of a radiation emergency occurring, and
  • Provided with information if there is a radiation emergency.

These regulations are a legal requirement and we work closely with site operators, emergency services and partner agencies to meet them, with the delivery of appropriate plans and arrangements.

Hinkley Point

The following arrangements are in place for local residents living within 3.5km of the Hinkley Point B station.

Off-site Emergency Plan
Arrangements that are to be followed by emergency responders if they are addressing the consequences of an incident at the site are detailed in an ‘Off-Site Emergency Plan’. This is regularly reviewed and tested by all agencies involved to make sure it is up to date and fit for purpose.

In conjunction with Somerset West and Taunton Council and Sedgemoor District Council, we are responsible for the maintenance of these arrangements in accordance with Radiation (Emergency Preparedness and Public Information) Regulations 2019 (REPPIR).

Emergency information calendar
This calendar contains important emergency actions, information and advice relevant to people living close to the site. It is distributed every year and is free of charge.

Stable iodine tablets
Faults at operating nuclear reactors can release radioactive forms of iodine which can lead to radiation doses to the thyroid gland. This gland is found in the neck and concentrates iodine within the body. When taken, the tablets release stable iodine directly to the thyroid gland, thus preventing any accumulation of radioactive iodine. The tablets are highly effective if taken within a few hours of exposure to radioactive iodine.

These tablets are pre-distributed free of charge and replaced when the ‘use by’ date approaches. If wider distribution is required in the event of an emergency, this will be conducted in accordance with local arrangements.

Stable Iodine tablets should only be taken during an incident when directed to do so by a medical professional.

More information

UK Health Security Agency: Nuclear Emergencies – Information for the Public

UK Health Security Agency: Ionising Radiation

Radiation (Emergency Preparedness and Public Information) Regulations 2019 (REPPIR)

EDF: Hinkley Point B

Approved Code of Practice (ACOP) and guidance

REPPIR 2019 consequence assessment methodology

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