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 or radiological 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
- 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.
The Radiation Advisory Groups for both islands, met to discuss the recommendations
included within the review, and specifically considered if stockpiling stable iodine is
appropriate based on the very low level of risk. The group voted unanimously to
recommend against stockpiling stable iodine in favour of focusing on sheltering as a more
appropriate response in the very unlikely scenario of such a nuclear incident occurring.
Professor Peter Bradley, Director of Public Health, said: “I am grateful to the UKHSA for
conducting the review of potential risk, to the States of Guernsey for partnering with us on
this work and to Authorities in France who provided valuable information and gave access
to some of the sites considered in the review.
“This review was part of our risk assessment cycle, and the findings are reassuring,
indicating that the likelihood of such an incident is very low. The UKHSA considered worst-case scenarios, which is important for context, and even in the highly unlikely event of
such an incident, our typical weather patterns would likely minimise any risk to public
health.
“Our emergency plans are being updated but the primary public health advice for
Islanders, in the rare event would be to seek shelter immediately. This approach rather
than stockpiling stable iodine was deemed most appropriate by the pan-island Radiation
Advisory Group, who voted unanimously on this after considering all relevant factors. Their
decision was based on the fact that stable iodine tablets would only be necessary in one
specific scenario, coupled with the significant practical challenges of ensuring timely and
secure distribution of the tablets to the community.”
A summary of the UK Health Security Agency’s report has been published on gov.je.
gov.je