USA Radioactive Wasp Nest Sparks Safety Concerns

[webfact]

File photo courtesy of Wikipedia

 

A shocking discovery has been made at the Savannah River Site in South Carolina, where a wasp nest, glowing with radiation levels ten times the legal limit, has been found. This site once played a critical role in producing parts for US nuclear weapons. Officials confirmed that the nest has been treated as radiological waste, but thankfully, no wasps were present.

 

The unsettling revelation was announced by the US Department of Energy last week. The contamination isn't linked to any current nuclear waste leaks, with assurances that there's been no effect on public safety or the environment. However, environmental groups have slammed the government’s approach to handling the situation.

 

On July 3rd, workers routinely checking for radiation stumbled upon the nest, precariously close to storage tanks containing millions of gallons of nuclear waste.

 

Although no leakage was detected, investigators have attributed the radiological readings to "onsite legacy radioactive contamination" from the Cold War era when the facility churned out plutonium for bomb-making.

 

Opened in the 1950s, the site has since shifted its focus to producing nuclear materials for power generation. Despite the alarming levels found in the nest, the wasps apparently carried far less radiation and rarely flew beyond the sprawling 310-square-mile facility's boundaries.

 

Officials assure that no contamination has been discovered beyond the nest's location, leaving workers and the environment seemingly unscathed, reported the BBC.

 

Nevertheless, watchdog group Savannah River Site Watch has expressed concerns. Questions linger about how the contamination occurred, with spokesperson Tom Clements demanding transparency about any potential leaks from waste tanks, accusing the site of withholding vital information.

 

The Savannah River Site has a notorious history of producing over 625 million litres of liquid nuclear waste. While eight underground tanks have been sealed, 43 remain in operation. The absence of clarity on contamination sources has heightened public unease.

 

In summary, the discovery of the radioactive wasp nest, with its potential links to historical contamination, highlights significant concerns about long-term safety and transparency at former nuclear sites.

 

With the site continuing to store significant amounts of nuclear waste, ongoing vigilance and clear communication are critical for preserving public trust and safety.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from BBC 2025-08-02

 

 

[lamyai3]

Nuke it

[black tabby12345]

5 hours ago, lamyai3 said:

Nuke it

 

[sammieuk1]

Sergey Lavrov will be howling like a banshee as his bio lab' bird' fly' flea B/S gets another airing🤔

[Luuk Chaai]

 nuclear wasp .....it would be about 3" long