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ENVIRONMENT AGENCY REGULATORY POSITION STATEMENT -
EXCEEDING PERMIT LIMITS WHEN RADIOACTVE SUBSTANCES ARE USED IN MEDICINE DURING CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19)
We have published a Regulatory Position Statement (RPS) titled ‘Exceeding permit limits because of COVID-19 when radioactive substances are used in medicine’ on gov.uk: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-and-exceeding-permit-limits-for-medical-use-of-radioactive-substances-rps-c15.
This COVID-19 RPS explains when you can exceed the numerical limits in your permit for the radioactive material kept and used on site and the radioactive waste accumulated and disposed of because of Coronavirus (COVID-19). This RPS only applies when you need to obtain additional radioactive material or generate additional associated radioactive waste as a result of Coronavirus (COVID-19) where the radioactive material is used to carry out medical diagnosis or treatment in humans. This COVID-19 RPS will be withdrawn on 30 September 2020 unless we extend it. After this date you must comply with your permit.
This Regulatory Position Statement includes strict conditions which must be followed to continue protecting people and the environment during this period. We expect all operators to comply with the law and the conditions of their environmental permits, unless covered by this or another RPS.
You must tell the Environment Agency before you use this COVID-19 RPS. For unsealed sources you must provide written confirmation by email that you are using this COVID-19 RPS to: RSR.Rotherham2.NE@environment-agency.gov.uk
For sealed sources contact us by telephoning 02030 238207 or 02030 238174 and we will tell you how to submit the information securely.
If you are going to make disposals to the sewer above the limits in your permit, or hold additional sealed sources that would result in a change in security category you will need the written agreement of the Environment Agency.
We will be publishing further COVID-19 RPSs over the next few weeks to support industry by being as flexible as possible in relation to permit requirements during the current Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak whilst still providing a high standard of protection for the environment and human health.
You can find out more information about the Environment Agency’s operational response to Coronavirus (COVID-19) here: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/environment-agency-operational-update-3-april-2020 Read a blog from our Chair, Emma Howard Boyd - https://environmentagency.blog.gov.uk/2020/04/18/the-environment-agency-and-the-coronavirus-crisis/
Amber Bannon CRadP MSRP
Advanced Nuclear Technologies and Future RSR Strategy
Alchemy
Bessemer Road
Welwyn Garden City
Hertfordshire
AL7 1HE
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