nuclear-news

Testing of animals for radiation levels

Animals at nuclear sites trapped, testedPublished: Feb. 2, 2011 WASHINGTON, (UPI) –– Scientists testing for radiation at a South Carolina site where materials were refined for U.S. nuclear weapons say they’re looking at the area’s animals. In the land and water surrounding the Savannah River Site, researchers trap and test thousands of animals a year as part of a federal effort to clean up contamination from a half-century of nuclear weapon productions, USA Today reported Wednesday.

Surveying areas tainted by radioactive waste, toxic chemicals and heavy metals, researchers are catching fish and salamanders, trapping feral hogs and deer, and monitoring bees and ants for signs of radioactivity.

“If you believe that a site has been cleaned up and you find a contaminated animal, you know you have a problem,” ” researcher Tracey Tuberville says…..

Animals at nuclear sites trapped, tested – UPI.com

February 2, 2011 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | environment, USA