A wasp colony found to have radioactive properties has been uncovered at a former location where the United States developed nuclear weapons.

A wasp nest containing radiation levels ten times higher than what is permitted by regulation was found at a facility that used to manufacture components for US nuclear weapons, according to federal officials. The wasp nest was eliminated and disposed of as radiological waste. The contamination is not related to a leak of nuclear waste, and there was no harm to the environment or the public, investigators stated. However, environmental groups have criticized the government’s handling of the situation. The nest was discovered by workers who regularly check for nuclear radiation at the Savannah River Site (SRS) near Aiken. It was located near the area where millions of gallons of liquid nuclear waste are stored, but no leak from the waste tanks occurred, according to the report. The high radiation levels in the nest are attributed to the residual radioactivity remaining from when the site produced components for nuclear bombs during the Cold War. Although the site now focuses on producing nuclear material for power plants, the energy department report claims that the wasps that lived in the nest would have had much lower radiation levels compared to the nest itself. Additionally, wasps usually only fly a few hundred feet from their nest, reducing the likelihood that they ventured outside the facility. The report asserts that no contamination was found in the surrounding area, and there were no impacts on workers, the environment, or the public. However, a watchdog group monitoring the site is still seeking answers to certain questions, including the origin of the radioactive waste and whether there is a potential leak from the waste tanks. The Savannah River Site once generated over 165 million gallons of liquid nuclear waste, and currently, 43 underground tanks remain in operation with eight already closed.

Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c3dpxr85228o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss