England'sSellafield nuclear site has elevated levels of radioactivity

The Sellafield nuclear site is being operated with a reduced number of staff following the detection overnight of elevated levels of radioactivity.

Non-essential staff are being told not to come to work, although a spokesperson for the site said this was a precautionary measure. He said it was unclear how long the plant would operate with reduced staffing and added that the radiation levels were too low to be a danger to staff or the public.

The operator, Sellafield Ltd, said in a statement: "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. Essential workers only are being asked to report for work.

"Levels of radioactivity detected are above naturally occurring radiation but well below that which would call for any actions to be taken by the workforce on or off the site. 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."


http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2014/jan/31/sellafield-nuclear-site-elevated-levels-radioactivity


Location and about the site

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sellafield