A radioactive wasp nest found at the Savannah River Site in South Carolina had radiation levels exceeding safety regulations. Investigators confirmed no public or environmental harm while raising questions about legacy waste and safety protocols.
Radioactive Wasp Nest Discovered at Historic Nuclear Facility
Radioactive Wasp Nest Discovered at Historic Nuclear Facility
A wasp nest with alarmingly high radiation levels was uncovered at the Savannah River Site, prompting scrutiny from environmental advocates.
A radioactive wasp nest, containing radiation levels ten times above the permissible threshold, was recently identified at a decommissioned nuclear weapons facility, according to federal authorities. The nest was reported at the Savannah River Site (SRS) near Aiken, South Carolina—an area historically involved in nuclear material production.
On July 3, during standard safety inspections, workers stumbled upon the wasp nest affixed to a post in close proximity to where a massive amount of liquid nuclear waste is stored. The US Department of Energy has indicated that the contamination isn't linked to any leaks from current waste tanks, and there has been no negative impact on surrounding communities or ecosystems. The nest was subsequently treated to exterminate the wasps and classified as radiological waste.
Officials attribute the high radiation levels to "onsite legacy radioactive contamination," which refers to residual contamination from the facility’s active nuclear production era during the Cold War. Initially opened in the 1950s for plutonium manufacturing, the site now focuses on supplying nuclear materials for civilian energy applications.
The report clarifies that the wasps occupying the nest themselves would have been exposed to lower radiation levels, as they typically only fly short distances from their nests. Furthermore, the nest's location within the sprawling 310-square-mile SRS minimizes any potential for wasps to travel beyond the facility.
Despite reassurances, local watchdog group Savannah River Site Watch has raised alarm, calling for answers about the source of the radioactive materials and whether there's a subterranean leak from the storage tanks. Spokesman Tom Clements expressed frustration at the lack of transparency in the government's communications regarding public health and safety.
The Savannah River Site is known for generating vast quantities of liquid nuclear waste, with ongoing monitoring of 43 operational underground tanks, while eight have already been sealed.
