Monitoring Locations
Mullingar
Land Monitoring Station
The RPII carries out several monitoring programmes to determine the levels of radioactivity in the environment and the doses received by the Irish population.
External radiation levels and particulates in air are continuously monitored. In addition, rainfall is continuously collected.
Samples of seawater, seaweed, sediment, fish and shellfish are collected from the marine environment.
Samples of drinking water, milk, ‘complete meals’ and individual foodstuffs are collected from the land.
Types of sampling at this station
An air sampler operates continuously at this site. A precisely measured volume of air is pumped through a filter which collects particulates. After a sampling period of approximately one week the filters are removed and sent to the RPII. A selection are analysed by gamma spectrometry at our laboratory. This enables us to monitor radioactivity in airborne particulates.
The levels of this radiation is normally very low. If a radioactive 'cloud' reaches Ireland, these air samplers will record elevated radiation levels. Following analysis, they would enables us to determine the concentrations of radionuclides present.
We also sample rainwater at this location. If elevated radiation levels are caused by any other means than radon washout the rainwater would be analysed for the type and amount of radioactivity.
Results of the monitoring can be seen in our latest report Radioactivity Monitoring of the Irish Environment.
More recent monitoring data is also available and is updated on an on-going basis.
Results of monitoring show that the levels of man-made radioactivity in foodstuffs and the environment are detectable but the levels are low and are of no health risk to the public.