Food, water and recovery after radioactive contamination

Use food and drinks stored indoors or in intact sealed containers, while still following ordinary food safety and refrigeration rules. If the outside of a container may be contaminated, wipe it carefully before opening and seal used cleaning materials away from people. Wash your hands afterwards.

Do not collect rainwater, snow, surface water or uncovered outdoor food in an affected area until authorities advise it is safe. Leave garden and allotment produce, outdoor animal products and private water supplies subject to the relevant restrictions. Washing produce or boiling water is not a reliable way to remove a radiological hazard.

Water needs careful wording: UKHSA's general release guidance says treated mains water is unlikely to be affected immediately and is considered safe unless users are told otherwise. That statement is not a guarantee for every nuclear detonation, damaged water system or combined contamination incident. After a nuclear attack, use protected stored drinking water where available and follow the water company's and public health authorities' current assessment. If safe supplies are running short, seek help promptly; do not deliberately dehydrate while relying on this general pack.

Boiling does not remove radioactive material. Water suitable for washing or decontamination is not automatically authorised for drinking. A domestic filter does not establish safety without testing for the actual contaminants and official advice.

During recovery

1. Follow exclusion zones and return instructions. A reopening of a road is not permission to consume local produce.
2. Leave contaminated outdoor clean-up to the authorities and appropriately trained people.
3. Do not sweep suspect dust, pressure-wash contaminated surfaces or remove soil as a DIY task.
4. Keep records of damage, displacement and official restrictions for insurers or support agencies.
5. Check food and water restrictions separately, as they may remain after other restrictions change.

Recovery duration varies with the incident and location. The site must never calculate a universal 'safe to return' time or offer a postcode-level clearance from a general fallout model. Authorities combine monitoring and assessment to decide what protection is still needed.