Commission Opinion

of 14 April 2010

relating to the modified plan for the disposal of radioactive waste arising from Building 443.26 operated by General Electric Healthcare Ltd (formerly Amersham plc) at the Harwell International Business Centre in the United Kingdom, in accordance with Article 37 of the Euratom Treaty

(only the English text is authentic)

2010/C 95/01

On 11 November 2009, the European Commission received from the British Government, in accordance with Article 37 of the Euratom Treaty, General Data relating to the modified plan for the disposal of radioactive waste arising from Building 443.26 operated by General Electric Healthcare Ltd (formerly Amersham plc).

On the basis of these data and following consultation with the Group of Experts, the Commission has drawn up the following opinion:

1. The distance between the facility and the nearest Member State, in this case France, is approximately 225 km.

2. The planned modification concerns an envisaged increase in the authorised discharge limit for airborne radon-222.

3. Under normal operating conditions, the planned modification will not cause an exposure liable to affect the health of the population in another Member State.

4. In the event of unplanned releases of radioactive effluents, which may follow an accident of the type and magnitude considered in the General Data, the doses received in another Member State will not be liable to affect the health of the population.

In conclusion, the Commission is of the opinion that the implementation of the modified plan for the disposal of radioactive waste in whatever form arising from Building 443.26, operated by General Electric Healthcare Ltd (formerly Amersham plc), located at the Harwell International Business Centre in the United Kingdom, both in normal operation and in the event of an accident of the type and magnitude considered in the General Data, is not liable to result in radioactive contamination of the water, soil or airspace of another Member State.

Done at Brussels, 14 April 2010.

For the Commission

Günther Oettinger

Member of the Commission

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