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39
RADIOACTIVE SUBSTANCE ACT, 1960
This Act, which came into operation on December 1st 1963, is
concerned with the control of the accumulation and disposal of
radioactive wastes. Persons who keep or use radioactive material,
will, unless exempted, be required to register with the Minister
of Housing and Local Government and to obtain authorisation from
him for the accumulation or disposal of radioactive waste. The Act
applies to premises and also mobile apparatus.
The expression "radioactive material" includes the following
substances and any articles made from or incorporating them:-
1. A substance containing an element listed in the Act,
if the concentration of that element is greater than
limits specified in the Act.
2. Substances who radioactivity is attributable either
wholly or partly to a process of nuclear fission or
other process whereby a substance is bombarded by
neutrons or ionising radiations.
" Radioactive waste" includes:-
1. Any scrap, surplus, or spoilt "radioactive material".
2. Any other waste substance or article (whether solid,
liquid, gas or vapour) which has become radioactive
by contamination.
The Acts exempts from its provisions Crown premises, premises
of the Atomic Energy Authority and sites licensed under the Nuclear
Installations (Licensing and Insurance) Act,1959, and as the definition
of radioactive material brings within its scope a number of
minor uses and some commonplace items not normally regarded as radioactive
(for example lighter flints and incandescent mantles),
the Act also provides for orders to be made exempting certain materials,
and a number of such orders has already been made.
Except where for reasons of national security, information
must in particular cases, be restricted, copies of certificates
of registration and authorisation will be sent to public and local
authorities, who will be informed-of Crown establishments in their
area where radioactive materials are used, unless national security
is involved.
The Act provides that local authorities shall not take account
of any radioactivity possessed by any substance, article or premises