Sellafield bird poo radioactive – claim
Last updated at 18:50, Saturday, 09 June 2012
BIRDS that feed on insects from the waters near Sellafield are leaving behind radioactive droppings, a campaign group claims.
Cumbrians Opposed to a Radioactive Environment say swallows nesting on the site’s transport section have been producing radioactive muck.
The group say the swallows’ droppings have become contaminated due to their diet of mosquitos, which inhabit Sellafield’s storage ponds.
The Environment Agency are believed to have confirmed the finding of radioactive droppings to a meeting of the environmental health sub-committee of the West Cumbria Sites Stakeholder Group, the independent body whose role is to provide public scrutiny of the nuclear industry in West Cumbria.
CORE’s spokesman, Martin Forwood, said: “These much-loved and now radioactive birds and their offspring will unwittingly be carrying a highly toxic message from Sellafield when they migrate back to Southern Africa at the end of the summer.
“We’ll be pressing the Environment Agency for more information.”
A Sellafield spokesman said new bird exclusion measures are now being put in place across the site.
He said: “Sellafield Ltd is aware of the potential issue for birds to become contaminated with low levels of radioactivity as a result of historic operations at Sellafield.
“Monitoring and analysis by Sellafield Ltd has shown that the contamination poses no threat to health as there is no direct pathway for exposure to members of the public.
“Cleaning up the legacy buildings on the site will remove the source of contamination and remains a priority activity. In the meantime, measures are in place to reduce the possibility of birds gaining access to facilities.
“Possible problems are reduced by applying the principle of good housekeeping and the incorporation of bird exclusion measures. In addition, there is also a regular programme in place to ensure that any potential sources of nutrient and nesting material on site are removed, making it less attractive for birds to nest and breed.”
A spokeswoman for the Environment Agency told the Evening Mail a statement on the matter would be issued in the coming weeks.
First published at 10:42, Saturday, 09 June 2012
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk
Brian, i agree with you that this Sellafield/bird problem is very insignificant and the danger problem has been blown out of all proportion (and i don't work at Sellafield) but you just can't ignore the mess that SOME dog owners leave behind. The dog mess problem isn't so ingsignifant and needs to be tackled as it's a risk to peoples health, probably more so to children.
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You're more at risk from radiation by from living in a house made of granite!
Posted by Sam on 13 June 2012 at 07:30