Radioactivity and wildlife: Taking stock

摘要

Radiation protection standards were developed with the express aim of protecting human health asserting that these would therefore protect non-human biota, an assertion which did not derive from evidence. English Nature (then Nature Conservancy Council) commissioned a report in 1988 to examine the issue of radioactivity and wildlife and, again in 2001 with the Environment Agency, sought to update the original work in the light of new evidence. The organisation took an interest because of the persistence, capacity for bioaccumulation of some radionuclides and chronic toxic effects at low doses and the potential concerns for wildlife at the site-specific level as well as the distribution of radioisotopes more widely in the environment. In the last decade, biodiversity legislation such as the Habitats Directive and Regulations has been enacted which specifically prohibits damage to the “integrity” of internationally important habitats and species. The history of developments in knowledge about the health effects in humans and other species following exposure to radioactivity is reviewed. Currently, there is a dearth of information in certain areas including the effects of specific radionuclides, the behaviour and pathways of naturally occurring radionuclides, chronic as opposed to acute effects, interactions with other stressors, some taxa and alternative exposure scenarios. English Nature and the Environment Agency have adopted a precautionary principle in judging whether a significant effect is likely or not following a radioactive impact. Developments at the cellular level could provide a joint basis on which to base assessments of radiation damage regardless of the species affected. However, it will be some time before any possible links between such damage and the development of an associated pathology become clear whether in humans or wildlife species. Knowledge about the impacts of radiation continues to evolve and needs to be taken into account.