Cleaning up the past The 20th century saw a rapid expansion in uses of the newly discovered phenomenon of radioactivity . Recognition of the need to protect society from the harmful effects of radiation developed more slowly . It was not until the late 1980s , with the growth in environmental awareness and moves to privatise the UK energy sector , that thoughts began to turn towards the need to deal with the legacy contamination issues .

This issue of Radiation Protection Today features articles on the theme of decommissioning . Radium was the first radioactive element to be used on an industrial scale , and we have an article on its history and widespread legacy . Lessons from History highlights one of the key challenges in decommissioning legacy facilities , the difficulty of obtaining records .

The nuclear sector presents some of the most complex decommissioning challenges due to the scale of radiation hazards . We have an article on progress in decommissioning some of the highest hazard facilities at Sellafield , and another on developments in the use of mobile robotics in decommissioning .

The need to optimise waste generation and disposal is a key factor in decommissioning . There is an article describing the characterisation process , and another on the use of autonomous systems for radiological characterisation . Words from the Wise discusses the challenges of monitoring tritium . We also have an informative piece on decontamination techniques .

Elsewhere , the central role of the Linear Non- Threshold Model in radiological protection is discussed , and the Specialist Spotlight falls on non-ionising radiation .

Finally , why not take a look at our handy guide to some of the hottest products which could have been bought in years gone by . They are definitely not recommended by Radiation Protection Today !

Trevor Jones - Editor

Editorial Team : Editor : Trevor Jones Deputy Editor : Maureen McQueen Team Members : Steph Bloomer , Oliver Caunt , Jennifer Humphries , Sarah Hunak , Sheila Liddle , Chris Perks , Neil Seymour , Gary Teague , Sam Watson , Helen Whitehead

Production : Harris Associates

Design : TQ Print & Design

Views expressed are not necessarily those of the publishers . No part of this publication may be reproduced without the express written permission of the publishers .

Contents

The Society for Radiological Protection is the UK ' s only professional society covering the entire field of radiation protection . Its objective is to promote the science and art of radiation protection and allied fields for the public benefit . Founded in 1963 , it was awarded a Royal Charter in 2007 and is the UK Associate Society affiliated to the International Radiation Protection Association .

10 Ask SRP 11 Lessons from History : Decommissioning

Non-Nuclear Facilities

16 Characterisation

30 Specialist Spotlight : Non-Ionising Radiation

34 Latest from Legs and Regs

4 Letters to the Editor 5 Decontamination Techniques 8 Mobile Robotics in Nuclear Decommissioning

13 Decommissioning Progress at Sellafield Site

18 Autonomous Systems for Radiological

Characterisation during Decommissioning 19 Radiation Clicks 20 The Legacy of Radium Contamination 23 Radiological Decontamination and

Decommissioning of a Life Sciences Facility 26 Words from the Wise : Challenge of Tritium

Contamination Monitoring 28 In the Hot Seat : Roger Coates OBE

32 Opinion : The Linear Non-Threshold doseresponse model for cancer

35 SRP Events Update 36 Back to Basics pullout 37 Backscatter 38 The SRP Puzzle

www . srp-uk . org Registered Charity in England & Wales No . 1122804

Printed on recyclable paper sourced from responsibly managed forests using vegetable-based inks . This issue is also available digitally at www . srp-rpt . uk

Cover photograph : Provided by Createc – the quadrupedal robot ,

Spot , in a decommissioning environment . Cover design : @ ollustration

Radiation Protection Today - Winter 2022 Issue 4 | Page 3