Particles of irradiated nuclear fuel were first discovered in the marine environment around Dounreay, Scotland, in 1983. Since then, there has been considerable work devoted to the understanding the situation and how it might be managed.
In order to ascertain the overall state of the problem, UKAEA convened a conference in 2005 to discuss "The Management of Historic Hot Particle Liabilities in the Marine Environment Around Dounreay". Recognising the importance of the issue and the quality of the conference, the Journal of Radiological Protection has issued a supplement containing papers from the conference. Drawing on his knowledge of the site and the particles issue, James Penfold acted as a guest Editor of the supplement, with Geoffrey Webb and Kins Leonard.
Image Courtesy of Dounreay Site Restoration Limited & NDA