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COMMISSION OPINION

of 10 July 1990

concerning the Windscale Vitrification Plant and the Vitrified Product Store (United Kingdom)

(Only the English text is authentic)

(90/389/EEC)

The general data concerning the plan for the disposal of radioactive waste from the operation of the Windscale Vitrification Plant and the Vitrified Product Store were provided by the United Kingdom Government to the Commission, in accordance with Article 37 of the Euratom Treaty, by letter received on 8 January 1990.

On the basis of the data thus obtained and having consulted the Group of Experts, the Commission drew up the following opinion:

1. The distance from the installation to the closest point on the territory of another Member State, Ireland is approximately 180 km; France is 510 km distant.

2. In normal conditions, the liquid and gaseous effluent discharges will give rise to negligible exposure of the population of other Member States from the point of view of health.

3. High and medium level radioactive waste will be stored on site; low level waste will be disposed off to the Drigg site.

4. In the case of an unplanned discharge of radioactive effluents which could be occasioned by an accident of the magnitude considered in the general data, doses liable to be received in other Member States will not be significant from the point of view of health.

In conclusion, the Commission is of the opinion that the implementation of the plan for the disposal of radioactive waste from operation of the Windscale Vitrification Plant and the Vitrified Product Store is not liable, either in normal operation or in the case of an accident of the magnitude considered in the general data, to result in the radioactive contamination, significant from the point of view of health, of the water, soil or airspace of another Member State.

This opinion is addressed to the United Kingdom.

Done at Brussels, 10 July 1990.

For the Commission

Carlo RIPA DI MEANA

Member of the Commission