High levels of radiation have
been detected at the UK’s Sellafield nuclear facility but there is no
reason for concern and no action is needed, according to an official
announcement.
According to a statement released earlier today by the operator,
Sellafield Ltd: "As a result of a conservative and prudent decision, the
Sellafield site is operating normally but with reduced manning levels
today. This follows the detection of elevated levels of radioactivity at
one of the on-site radiation monitors at the north end of the site."
It also explained that radioactivity detected is above natural
levels, but well below the level that would require any immediate
actions to be taken. Nevertheless, “essential workers only are being
asked to report for work”, the statement said.
It also added that “the site is at normal status and employees and
operational plants are continuing to operate as investigations continue.
All our facilities have positively confirmed there are no abnormal
conditions and are operating normally.”
The Sellafield nuclear facility is located on the coast of the Irish
sea in northwest England. It was built in 1956, but these days it has
abandoned the production of nuclear energy and only processes spent
fuel.
The facility is under a decommissioning and dismantling programme,
run by a consortium made up of British company Amec, French group Areva
and US company URS.
(31.01.2014)