Minutes from SAGE update meeting 21 March 2011
Held in 1 Victoria Street at 11.00
Present
Professor John Beddington (GCSA)
Hilary Walker (DH)
Mike Griffiths (RIMNET)
Andy Hall (HSE)
Robin Grimes (Imperial)
Mary Morrey (HPA)
Jill Mearer (HPA)
By Phone
Pat Boyle (Met Office)
Richard Wakeford (University of Manchester)
Terry Donohoe (FSA)
Paul Russel (FSA)
Peter McDonald (DECC, representing David MacKay)
Jeremy Watson (DCLG)
Sue Ion (Independent)
Secretariat
Elizabeth Moore (Cabinet Office, by phone)
Andy Gregory (Cabinet Office, by phone)
Miles Elsden (GO-Science)
Rich Meadows (GO-Science)
Chris McFee (GO-Science)
Jo Dalley (GO- Science)
Elizabeth Surkovic (GO-Science)
Discussion points
1. The CHAIR welcomed the group and outlined that the circumstance of the meeting had changed and that due to the timing of the SAGE meeting and the subsequent Ministerial Meeting in COBR.
Reactor status
2. SAGE was informed that reactors 5 and 6 did not present any immediate concern and it was for reactors 1-4 where there was the issue.
3. Specifically the issue was with reactor 3 and pond 4. There had been an increase in pressure in reactor 3 and a decision needed to be made on how to release the pressure. The situation at pond 4 had improved and it now has water in it.
4. SAGE was informed that pond 2 may be boiling, however this was from a single source and unconfirmed.
Weather forecast
5. There will be a North Easterly wind which will head towards Tokyo from Fukishima until seasonal 1500 local time on Tuesday 22nd March.
Health implications
6. There was no change in health advice.
International engagements
7. SAGE was informed that the Japanese authorities had imposed standards of food safety in relation to radiation contamination which were more stringent that EU standards and thus any regulatory regime put in place by the Japanese authorities would be sufficiently robust to satisfy UK concerns.
SAGE Secretariat
