Dounreay fuel fragments on beach

number of nuclear particles found in 26 years and ‘they may pose risk’. A
public health warning has been issued after harmful radioactive particles were
discovered to have leaked out in the area surrounding Dounreay nuclear plant,
in Caithness. Fragments of irradiated nuclear fuel have been detected at the
shoreline near the power plant and nuclear testing facility, with experts from
independent Dounreay Particles Advisory Group saying they “pose a
realistic potential to cause harm to members of the public”. The
radioactive material is said to be the at the highest levels almost three
decades – with 73 per cent of the particles found deemed
“significant”, according to a report. A survey found 15 particles on
the shoreline, the most since 1996 when 17 were found, The Daily Mail reported.
It comes after research suggested the leaks occurred sometime between 1958 and
1984. In response to ongoing concerns, Dounreay Site Restoration Ltd, which is
in charge of the plant’s clean-up, said it was closely monitoring the
situation. It comes as Shaun Burnie of Greenpeace Asia, a nuclear specialist
who formerly worked at Dounreay, also warns of the risk to public health. He
said: “The scale of the radiological hazard from the Dounreay particles is
enormous, with hundreds of thousands and more highly radioactive nuclear fuel
particles on the sea bed.



 



Express 29th
Oct 2022



https://www.scottishdailyexpress.co.uk/news/scottish-news/dounreay-nuclear-plant-radiation-scare-28358121