HPA-RPD-034 - Radiological Consequences Resulting from Accidents and Incidents Involving the Transport of Radioactive Materials in the UK - 2006 Review

Synopsis

During 2006 there were 27 accidents and incidents, involving the transport of radioactive materials from, to, or within the UK, and this report includes descriptions of each event. The number of events in 2006 was greater than those reported for 2005 (16 events), 2004 (20 events) and 2003 (11 events). There were 29 events reported in 2002. This increase compared to the previous three years is likely to represent mainly a statistical variation in the annual number of events, rather than indicating an overall upward trend. In 2006 there were an unusual number of events (6) involving the discovery of radioactive material in supposedly non-radioactive shipments, including two instances of materials sent illegally using the postal services. However, none of the events in 2006 resulted in any significant radiation doses to workers or members of the public.

The details of these events have been entered into the Radioactive Material Transport Event Database (RAMTED), which now contains information on 850 events that are known to have occurred since 1958.

Additional information

Last reviewed: 1 September 2008