Key Facts about: Radioactivity
Discharges from the nuclear industry: 1983-2003
United Kingdom
Radioactive discharges are the less toxic waste products from electricity generation and the medical and scientific industries that are emitted, under authorisation, to air and water.
- Radioactive emissions to air in the UK fell by around 76 per cent between 1985 and 2003 and emissions to water fell by 82 per cent.
- At the same time, electricity production from nuclear sources increased by around 50 per cent. Around a quarter of overall UK electricity generated has come from nuclear sources in recent years.
In Detail:
- Artificial sources of radiation:
- Exposure to discharges
- Exposures from atmospheric effluents
- Exposure from liquid effluents
Further Information:
- Source:
- Defra, DTI, MOD, SEPA, FSA, CEFAS, BNFL, UKAEA, British Energy Generation, Amersham plc
- Key Facts:
- Sources
- Artificial sources
Data Tables:
Download Chart Data: Microsoft Excel
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Page last modified: 7 September 2005
Page published: 7 September 2005