Radioactivity studies in Lowestoft. The first 50 years

A brief history is presented of the radioactivity studies by scientists of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAFF) at Lowestoft. 1997 marks the golden jubilee of the start of this work, which was set up to investigate the potential effects of radioactive waste discharges to the Irish Sea from Sellafield. The events are described in the context of the developing UK nuclear industry, and in particular the discharges from Sellafield and their behaviour in the Irish Sea and further afield. International activities have stemmed from the Sellafield studies as well as those in connection with sea disposal of solid radioactive wastes. Much of the work has been driven by the need to provide advice to Ministers in a developing statutory climate; scientists were involved in all aspects: regulatory control and advice; environmental monitoring and radiological assessment; and pioneering radioecological R and D