Public Health Implications of Fragments of Irradiated Fuel: Module 3 - The likelihood of encountering a fuel fragment on Sandside beach

Fragments of irradiated fuel the size of grains of sand have been found on Sandside Beach, which is adjacent to the Dounreay nuclear research facility in Caithness. Information on the number of fuel fragments found on the beach and the behaviour of individuals on the beach has been used to explore the likelihood of individuals coming into contact with such fragments. The results indicate that the probability of encountering a fuel fragment on Sandside beach is less than 1 in a million per year. This work has been undertaken as part (Module 3) of a study commissioned by SEPA of the public health implications of these fragments of irradiated fuel. This contract report presents the results of Module 3 of the study.