Guernsey and Jersey commission review of potential nuclear risks

Wednesday 24 July 2024

The Governments in both Jersey and Guernsey have published a summary of a jointly commissioned review of potential nuclear risks to the populations of the Bailiwicks of Guernsey and Jersey.

The review was conducted by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and, although the risk of this type of incident occurring is extremely low, the review is part of the routine risk and business continuity planning performed by each Government to be prepared for all potential incidents.

The review thoroughly investigated the possible consequences for the Channel Islands of a nuclear incident from the risks posed from the Cotentin Peninsula, shipping and Hurd Deep. The review's methodology looked at worst-case scenario incidents.

This included examining over 850 weather incidences and was complemented by a visit by officers from Jersey and Guernsey with French authorities to some of the sites on the Cotentin Peninsula.

The report considered nuclear risks to the Channel Islands from:

• radioactive waste dumped in Hurd Deep in the 1950s and 1960s;
• transport of nuclear materials by ship in the seas around the Channel Islands;
• Orano La Hague nuclear fuel reprocessing site;
• Flamanville nuclear power station; and,
• Cherbourg naval dockyard nuclear submarines.

Recommendations were provided for consideration by both Governments within the review:

• Continue the programme of analysing marine environmental samples to provide monitoring and reassurance;
• Consider plans to deal with radioactive releases to Channel Islands territorial waters;
• Continue engaging with French authorities on the safety of French nuclear sites and on emergency communications;
• Consider planning for the implementation of sheltering and stable iodine, if required, after a release of radioactive material into the air;
• Plan for communications to islanders following an emergency, particularly if no action is required. This should include a plan for communicating with visitors to the Channel Islands.

Guernsey and Jersey's Radiation Advisory Groups held a combined meeting to discuss whether we should stockpile iodine. The membership of these groups consists of a range of clinicians and scientists from both islands and specifically considered whether stockpiling iodine was proportionate to the risk. The combined group, with representatives from both Guernsey and Jersey, voted unanimously to recommend against stockpiling of iodine and agreed that the focus should be sheltering. Included in the rationale for this decision was that iodine tablets would be relevant in one scenario only (a Flamanville incident), together with the fact that there are significant practical difficulties in ensuring that the secure distribution of tablets to the community at the right time.

The advice from the combined Radiation Advisory Groups is for the community to focus on seeking shelter in the very unlikely scenario of such a nuclear incident occurring.

Dr Nicola Brink, Director of Public Health, said:

'This review was commissioned as part of our normal cycle of risk assessment as we haven't looked at this issue since 1997. This is part of our on-going plan to update and review a number of Public Health risks. The report was reassuring in that it confirmed that the risk of such an incident occurring is very small. The authors examined worst case scenarios, which is important context, and even in the very unlikely event such an incident occurred our normal weather patterns would likely result in minimal risk to public health. Our emergency plans are being updated following the review but the key public health advice would, should such an unlikely event occur, be for the community to seek shelter as a priority. It was this, rather than stockpiling iodine, that the pan-island Radiation Advisory Group unanimously voted to be the most proportionate course of action when considering all relevant factors.'

A summary of the UK Health Security Agency's report has been published at www.gov.gg/emergency-planning. The full report is not available as it contains official sensitive information shared by colleagues in France.

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