Latest news with #SRMC
Daily Mail
04-08-2025
- Science
- Daily Mail
More radioactive wasp nests found at former US nuclear bomb site
The discovery of additional radioactive wasp nests at a former US nuclear bomb plant has raised concerns that the facility may be leaking hazardous material. Workers at the Savannah River Site (SRS) near Aiken, South Carolina, uncovered three more contaminated nests following the initial find on July 3, which was emitting radiation levels 10 times higher than federal safety limits. The Department of Energy (DOE) confirmed it is aware of the situation and stated that the nests have been sprayed, sealed in bags as radiological waste and properly disposed of. The SRS, which was established in the early 1950s, played a key role in producing plutonium and tritium for America's nuclear weapons program throughout the Cold War . A spokesperson for Savannah River Mission Completion (SRMC), the contractor responsible for site cleanup, told the Daily Mail that teams recovered dead wasps after exterminating the nests. The insects, according to the spokesperson, showed lower levels of contamination than the nests themselves. While the DOE insists there has been no leakage from nearby nuclear waste tanks, some scientists are urging caution. Dr Timothy Mousseau, a biologist at the University of South Carolina, told The New York Times that the contaminated nests suggest radioactive materials may be more widely dispersed across the area than previously believed. 'This is an indicator that there are contaminants spread across this area that have not been completely encased and protected,' Mousseau said, adding that the latest discoveries 'indicate that much greater effort must be made to assess the possible risks and hazards of what appears to be a significant source of radioactive pollutants.' SRMC said all four nests were found in F Tank Farm, an area toward the middle of the 310-square mile SRS boundary or more than five miles from the closest site boundary. The F-Area Tank Farm where the nest was found holds 22 massive underground tanks, each up to 100 feet wide and 23 feet deep, packed with between 750,000 and 1.3 million gallons of radioactive waste. Legacy contamination refers to pollution that persists in the environment from past activities, even after the original sources of contamination have ceased. 'The main concern relates to whether or not there are large areas of significant contamination that have escaped surveillance in the past,' Dr Mousseau told the New York Times , adding that the nests are a 'red flag' that should be investigated further. While SRMC said dead wasps were recently recovered, the group admitted that none were recovered after the first nest was found. However, the site's spokesperson stressed that 'nests do not pose a health risk to SRS workers, surrounding communities, or the environment. They added that the average person is exposed to about 620 millirem (mrem) of radiation each year from both natural and man-made sources. 'All of the nests were emitting less than one percent of the natural background radiation rate. Mrem is a unit of measurement for radiation dose equivalent for humans,' the spokesperson continued. However, the watchdog group Savannah River Site Watch slammed the report as 'incomplete,' saying it fails to explain the source of the contamination, how wasps were exposed or if more radioactive nests may be hidden. Tom Clements, executive director of the group, told AP: 'I'm as mad as a hornet that SRS didn't explain where the radioactive waste came from or if there is some kind of leak from the waste tanks that the public should be aware of.'
Daily Mail
04-08-2025
- Science
- Daily Mail
Radiation panic at US nuclear bomb plant as more toxic wasp nests discovered
The discovery of additional radioactive wasp nests at a former US nuclear bomb plant has raised concerns that the facility may be leaking hazardous material. Workers at the Savannah River Site (SRS) near Aiken, South Carolina, uncovered three more contaminated nests following the initial find on July 3, which was emitting radiation levels 10 times higher than federal safety limits. The Department of Energy (DOE) confirmed it is aware of the situation and stated that the nests have been sprayed, sealed in bags as radiological waste and properly disposed of. The SRS, which was established in the early 1950s, played a key role in producing plutonium and tritium for America's nuclear weapons program throughout the Cold War. A spokesperson for Savannah River Mission Completion (SRMC), the contractor responsible for site cleanup, told the Daily Mail that teams recovered dead wasps after exterminating the nests. The insects, according to the spokesperson, showed lower levels of contamination than the nests themselves. While the DOE insists there has been no leakage from nearby nuclear waste tanks, some scientists are urging caution. Dr Timothy Mousseau, a biologist at the University of South Carolina, told The New York Times that the contaminated nests suggest radioactive materials may be more widely dispersed across the area than previously believed. 'This is an indicator that there are contaminants spread across this area that have not been completely encased and protected,' Mousseau said, adding that the latest discoveries 'indicate that much greater effort must be made to assess the possible risks and hazards of what appears to be a significant source of radioactive pollutants.' SRMC said all four nests were found in F Tank Farm, an area toward the middle of the 310-square mile SRS boundary or more than five miles from the closest site boundary. The F-Area Tank Farm where the nest was found holds 22 massive underground tanks, each up to 100 feet wide and 23 feet deep, packed with between 750,000 and 1.3 million gallons of radioactive waste. 'Wasp flight patterns keep them within about 200 yards of their nest typically, with a rare exception of a half of a mile from their nests,' the spokesperson explained. 'Also, the typical lifespan of these wasps is less than one month. 'The nests became contaminated by wasps that brought light contamination to the nests because of intrusion into areas with legacy contamination.' Legacy contamination refers to pollution that persists in the environment from past activities, even after the original sources of contamination have ceased. 'The main concern relates to whether or not there are large areas of significant contamination that have escaped surveillance in the past,' Dr Mousseau told the New York Times, adding that the nests are a 'red flag' that should be investigated further. While SRMC said dead wasps were recently recovered, the group admitted that none were recovered after the first nest was found. However, the site's spokesperson stressed that 'nests do not pose a health risk to SRS workers, surrounding communities, or the environment. They added that the average person is exposed to about 620 millirem (mrem) of radiation each year from both natural and man-made sources. 'All of the nests were emitting less than one percent of the natural background radiation rate. Mrem is a unit of measurement for radiation dose equivalent for humans,' the spokesperson continued. However, the watchdog group Savannah River Site Watch slammed the report as 'incomplete,' saying it fails to explain the source of the contamination, how wasps were exposed or if more radioactive nests may be hidden. Tom Clements, executive director of the group, told AP: 'I'm as mad as a hornet that SRS didn't explain where the radioactive waste came from or if there is some kind of leak from the waste tanks that the public should be aware of.'
New Indian Express
04-06-2025
- Business
- New Indian Express
Telangana complains against Andhra Pradesh's Godavari-Banakacherla project
HYDERABAD: A day after Andhra Pradesh Irrigation officials met representatives of the Ministry of Finance, the Telangana government announced it will strongly oppose the proposed Godavari–Banakacherla (G-B) project. On Monday, AP officials tried to address the Ministry of Finance's queries on the project. Speaking to reporters here on Tuesday, Telangana Irrigation Minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy said the state had already lodged a formal complaint with the Centre against the project. He said he had spoken with Jal Shakti Minister CR Patil, urging him to stop AP from moving ahead with the G-B project. Stop SRMC lining now, Telangana urges Centre Telangana has also written to the Godavari River Management Board (GRMB) and the Ministry of Jal Shakti (MoJS) on the issue. Meanwhile, the Telangana Irrigation principal secretary has written to the secretary of the Department of Water Resources, requesting that the expansion of the discharge capacity of the Pothireddypadu Head Regulator (PRP HR) system through lining of the Srisailam Right Main Canal (SRMC) be halted immediately. He warned that failure to act would leave farmers in Telangana's drought-prone Krishna basin permanently distressed.
New Indian Express
20-05-2025
- New Indian Express
‘Lawyer' cheats Porur family of Rs 35 lakh claiming tenant filed cases against them in Chennai
CHENNAI: A man posing as a lawyer allegedly cheated a family in Porur of around Rs 35 lakh under the pretext of helping them with a case. The suspect, Venkatacharya, had allegedly told the victims — Sivakumar and his family — that their tenant had filed multiple court petitions and complaints, including one under Pocso Act, against them. The SRMC police said Sivakumar had rented out the ground floor of his house to a man named Venkatesan, who had stopped paying rent several months ago. Sivakumar frequently travelled to Dubai for work. It was a friend of Sivakumar in Dubai who introduced him to Venkatacharya. He claimed he was a lawyer and said that Venkatesan had filed several civil and criminal cases against his family and demanded Rs 4 lakh. Sivakumar paid the amount to an associate in Chennai. Later, he claimed Venkatesan had filed a Pocso case, alleging molestation of his minor daughter, and wanted more money, which Sivakumar paid. Two weeks ago, when Venkatacharya asked for a 'fee' of several crores, Sivakumar grew suspicious and filed a complaint. Police found that no such case existed and that the family had been duped. They arrested an associate of Venkatacharya, Gnanasekar, who had received Rs 4 lakh.
Yahoo
05-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Alliance-area news in brief for May 5
FOOD TRUCK AT SRMC – Boardman Chick-fil-A will stop from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday at Salem Regional Medical Center. The menu will include sandwiches, waffle chips and cookies, and 10% of all proceeds that day will support SRMC's Cancer Fund. The truck will be set up in SRMC's front parking lot area directly across from the hospital off East State Street. Drivers can enter the SRMC parking lot from East State Street, East Third Street or Roosevelt Avenue. The visit will be rain or shine, and guests can pay by cash, credit and debit payments. AULTMAN GRIEF CAMP – Aultman Grief Services plans a one-day camp to help comfort grieving children from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 31 in the Play-Action Plaza in Hall of Fame Village in Canton. Camp Hope is open to grieving children ages 5 – 11. The day will include outdoor activities, crafts, music and a petting zoo. Lunch and ice cream are also included. Camp Hope is free, but registration is required. To register, contact Beth Wengerd at 330-479-4835. The deadline to register is May 16. KNOX TWP. TRUSTEES – Knox Township trustees plan two meetings this week. A regular meeting is planned at 7 p.m. Tuesday at 2895 Knox School Road. Trustees will convene at 6:45 p.m. to review bills. Trustees then will meet again for a special meeting at 9 a.m. Wednesday in the same location for a construction meeting with the contractor on the Cold Storage Building Project. MARLINGTON MEETING – Marlington Local Schools' Board of Education plans a work sessionto discuss finances and the May 2025 five-year forecast at 6 p.m. Tuesday in the Marlington High School Digital Learning Zone at 10450 Moulin Ave. in Lexington Township. Pending absence of technological issues, the meeting will be live-streamed on Marlington Local Schools Technology Department's YouTube channel. CHURCH CONCERT – Grace United Church of Christ in Lake Township plans a free 'Get Ready for Summer' concert by Northeast Ohio community choir MajesticVoice Chorus, at 4 p.m. May 18 in the church's Family Activity Center. All are welcome at the event. The concert is free, although freewill offerings are welcome. Additional information about the group can be found at Grace UCC Uniontown is at 13275 Cleveland Ave., a quarter-mile north of Route 619, across the street from Uniontown Primary School. Call 330-699-3255 with questions. SQUARE DANCING – The Friendly Squares plans its monthly square dance, a Pie Night, from 7:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. May 10 at the Niles SCOPE Center, 14 E. State St. in Niles. Ken Campbell will be the caller and Frankie Hammond will be cuing line dances. This will be a plus dance, dress is casual. There will be a $7 donation per person at the door. For additional information, call Gene Hammond at 330-506-3370. WEST BRANCH – West Branch Local Schools Board of Education plans a special meeting at 4 p.m. Monday at West Branch High School, 14277 S. Main St. in Beloit. Purpose of the meeting is for the board to recess into executive session to consider the appointment of a public official. LOUISVILLE SCHOOLS – Louisville City Schools Board of Education plans a special meeting at 6:30 p.m. Thursday at the board offices at 407 E. Main St. The meeting will be a work session to discuss board policy, district finances, the expiring emergency operating levy and the November 2025 b allot. ALLIANCE SUMMER CONCERTS – The City of Alliance's Downtown Summer Concert Series Rockin at the Caboose will return for 2025 with free shows sponsored by Alliance Area Chamber of Commerce. Most of the shows will be timed to the city's Final Friday celebrations in the city's downtown area. Shows planned and the act performing are: May 30, Jimmy and the Soul Blazers; June 27, John Hampu Band; July 25, Back to Eden; Aug. 29, Vocal Fusion; and Sept. 26, New Wave Nation. The other show planned is Sept. 13, the Alliance of Churches' Music Fest. All of these shows will run 6 to 9 p.m. at the city's Carnation Caboose Parking Lot along East Main Street. This article originally appeared on The Alliance Review: Alliance-area news in brief for May 5
