An assessment of aquatic radiation pathways in Ireland

Members of the public are exposed to radiation because of where they live and their habits bring them into contact with sources of radiation. They may be exposed directly by the source, by direct irradiation or inhalation of released activity or indirectly by exposure to contaminated environmental materials such as food. Consequently habit data are an essential part of dose assessment for members of the public [1]. Previously no detailed surveys had been undertaken in Ireland of habit data relevant to the assessment of doses to the population from radioactivity in the marine environment. Instead RPII dose assessments were made on the basis of assumed or notional data inferred from habit surveys undertaken elsewhere and from national average consumption figures. Following a tender process the Centre for Environment, Fisheries & Aquaculture Science, Cefas, UK, were commissioned to undertake a Habits Survey. Its report [2] provides an assessment of aquatic radiation exposure pathways in Ireland relating to anthropogenic radioactivity in the Irish Sea.