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The objective is to identify the critical group - the public members whose habits would increase their exposure to discharges from the site. If the dose to the critical group is acceptable, i.e. within source and site constraints, then the dose to the public at large is deemed to be acceptable.
In order to predict a potential radiation dose resulting from the discharge of radioactive substances, figures are needed on the rates of consumption of foods, as well as values for the transfer of radioactive substances to food. Habits surveys involve interviews with people who eat local food and live in the vicinity of sites licensed to discharge radioactive substances. The site specific information provided enables accurate assessments of the food chain impact of these discharges.
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Members of the public living within a 5 km radius of nuclear sites are interviewed. Direct radiation data within 1 km of the sites is recorded. Site occupancy times and consumption rates of locally produced food are investigated and values are recorded.
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<p>Find more about this project and other FSA food safety-related projects at the <a href="http://www.food.gov.uk/science/research/" target="_blank">Food Standards Agency Research webpage</a>.