An Historical Perspective of Radioactive Effluents: Discharges from Sellafield to the Irish Sea

The British plutonium production plant, known as the Windscale Works, Sellafield, started to discharge radioactive effluent from its separation plant in 1952. Before this, a safety assessment was carried out, based on field and laboratory research programmes. The early discharges were used as the basis for continuing research and assessment. The original safety assessment stands up remarkably well in the light of these later studies. The international scene has been volatile. Initially the discharges attracted severe criticism from the Soviet Union, but this has become muted. The recommendations of the International Commission on Radiological Protection have provided the basis for International and British safety standards. (author)