All-clear after Sellafield alert

The Sellafield nuclear reprocessing plant in Cumbria, England, has been given the all-clear after an investigation into higher-than-normal radiation readings detected at a perimeter fence.

The monitoring system picked up “elevated” levels of radioactivity overnight, leading to workers and contractors being told to stay away. However, following an analysis by safety staff, Sellafield said the levels were “naturally occurring background radon.” The company is still trying to establish why the alarm was sounded even though it has now established the cause.

A statement said: “Sellafield Ltd can confirm that the radioactivity detected by one of our in-air monitors overnight is not attributable to any issue or problem with any of our operations on site.

“Our in-air monitors are extremely sensitive and pick up on any abnormality. Overnight, the monitoring system initially indicated elevated levels of activity. Following investigation and analysis, we can now confirm these levels to be naturally occurring background radon.

“The number one priority for us is, at all times, safe secure stewardship of the Sellafield site, which is the most complex and challenging nuclear site in Europe.

“As such, we act in a safety-conscious manner, and take cautious, conservative decisions, such as the one taken overnight to ask non-safety essential staff to stay at home this morning, rather than come to the site.

“All of our plants and storage facilities were quickly confirmed as operating normally, and we were always confident the issue posed no risk to the workforce or public because the levels being detected, whilst above background radiation levels, were still low. This view was reinforced by the fact none of our other installed monitors were picking up any kind of increased levels. However, we take such issues so seriously we investigated fully to confirm that everything was okay.

The nuclear specialists’ union at Sellafield, Prospect, said the elevated readings were within acceptable limits and were not a danger to humans or to the plant.

“The company’s decision to partially close some areas at the site is a precautionary and measured decision and a safety measure that is recognised worldwide,” said a spokesman.