Nuclear and radiological emergencies
A nuclear or radiological emergency is an unexpected event that may expose people, property or the environment to increased levels of radiation. While serious emergencies are rare, Ireland has plans in place to prepare for and respond to any emergency to ensure the public is protected.
The terms nuclear emergency and radiological emergency have different meanings, depending on where the radiation comes from:
- Nuclear emergencies happen when there is an uncontrolled nuclear reaction or when radioactive materials produced by that reaction are released. Examples include accidents at nuclear power plants, such as the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant accident and the Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Plant accident.
- Radiological emergencies involve radioactive materials but do not necessarily involve a nuclear reaction. They can occur anywhere radioactive materials are used, stored, or transported, such as in hospitals, industry, or research facilities.
The term radiation emergency is a general term that can be used to describe both nuclear and radiological emergencies.
Types of Radiation Emergencies
Radiation emergencies can arise in different ways, including:
Accidents involving radioactive sources
Examples include:
- A fire at a facility that uses radioactive materials
- A transport accident involving radioactive materials
- The collapse of a building containing a radioactive source
- The loss of radioactive materials
Deliberate acts
Examples include:
- A terrorist attack involving radioactive material (for example, a "dirty bomb")
- Arson at a facility containing radioactive material
- Theft of a radioactive source
Major international incidents
Examples include:
- An accident at a nuclear power plant or facility abroad
- An accident involving a nuclear-powered ship or submarine
- The re-entry of a nuclear-powered satellite into the atmosphere
National plan for nuclear and radiological emergency exposures
Ireland has arrangements in place to reduce risks to people during a nuclear or radiological emergency, including emergencies that occur abroad, which are outlined in the National Plan for Nuclear and Radiological Emergency Exposures (the National Plan). The National Plan sets out how government departments, agencies and other organisations work together to respond to a nuclear or radiological emergency at a national level.
The plan is coordinated by the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment.
Its purpose is to:
- Assess risks quickly
- Provide clear information to the public
- Explain what has happened
- Explain any possible effects on people in Ireland
- Advise on any actions needed to stay safe.
Regular exercises and training are carried out to ensure the plan remains effective and is updated when necessary.
The National Plan identifies the EPA as the lead technical responsible organisation when coordinating the response to a nuclear or radiological emergency.
The EPA:
- Monitors radiation levels across Ireland
- Assesses radiation risks
- Provides scientific and technical advice to government and other public bodies
- Supports emergency services during incidents
- Recommends protective measures for the public
- Communicates with international organisations when required.
The EPA operates a 24-hour Radiation Duty Officer service. This ensures that specialist advice is always available to emergency responders and Government. The EPA also maintains its own emergency response plan and specialist response teams.
How Ireland is Alerted to Radiation Emergencies
There are several systems in place to ensure Ireland receives early warning of a nuclear or radiological emergency.
These include:
- International emergency notification systems operated by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the European Commission
- Bilateral arrangements with the UK
- The EPA's 24-hour radiation monitoring network, which continuously measures radiation levels across Ireland and alerts the EPA if there is any increase in radiation levels.
These systems help ensure that any increase in radiation levels is detected quickly.
Assessing the Risk
If radioactive material is released during a nuclear emergency abroad, it can be carried by the wind over large distances, in what is known as a radioactive plume.
What locations are affected and the extent of any impact depends on factors such as:
- Weather conditions
- Wind direction and speed
- The amount and type of radioactive material released.
The EPA works closely with Met Éireann to assess any potential risk to Ireland.
Based on this assessment, the Government may decide whether to activation of the National Plan is required.
Protecting the Public
Ireland is more than 200 km from the nearest nuclear power plants, on the west coast of the UK. Studies of possible risks have found that a nuclear emergency at any working UK nuclear facility would not expose people in Ireland to radiation levels high enough to harm their health. By the time any radioactive material could reach Ireland, it would have spread out and become highly diluted. The emergency would not result in immediate observable health effects and protective actions, such as sheltering, evacuation or the consumption of iodine tablets, would not be necessary.
If there is a risk to people in Ireland, information and advice will be provided through:
- Television and radio broadcasts
- Government and agency websites
- Official social media channels
Possible health impacts
It is very unlikely that a nuclear emergency abroad would expose people in Ireland to harmful levels of radiation. In the unlikely event that radioactive contamination reached Ireland, the main concern would be possible contamination of food products and agricultural produce, particularly:
• Milk and dairy products
• Meat
• Leafy vegetables
• Crops.
The EPA and other government agencies would carry out extensive monitoring of:
• Food
• Soil
• Grass.
If necessary, controls would be introduced to prevent contaminated food from reaching consumers. If food controls are deemed necessary, they would usually be for a short time and would be based on monitoring results. The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, the Food Safety Authority of Ireland and the EPA would work together to ensure food remains safe.
Drinking water would also be monitored , but it is highly unlikely that water supplies would be contaminated to levels that would require the government to restrict its use.
Emergency Response
The response to a nuclear or radiological incident depends on the nature, size, and severity of the event. While some incidents can be managed locally, larger emergencies may require a coordinated national response involving multiple agencies.
For example:
- A road traffic accident involving a radioactive source may be managed by local emergency services with support from the EPA
- Theft of a radioactive source
- A major nuclear or radiological emergency may require activation of the National Plan for Nuclear and Radiological Emergency Exposures which coordinates the response of Government departments and relevant agencies.
While nuclear and radiological emergencies are rare, arrangements are in place to ensure that any potential risks to people in Ireland can be identified, assessed and managed.
For further information see:
• National Plan for Nuclear and Radiological Emergency Exposures
• EPA Radiation Monitoring Network
• International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)
• Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment
• Met Éireann