Greenpeace today reacted with anger to revelations in the Norwegian press that the Sellafield nuclear plant plans to discharge large amounts of a notorious radioactive substance into the Irish Sea this week (1).
Discharges of Technetium 99 have been hugely controversial, particularly in Norway and Ireland, with contamination from the radioactive chemical found on the coasts of both countries. Lobsters are regularly found off Sellafield with levels of Technetium 99 which breach the levels set by the European Community for intervention following a nuclear accident [2]. It will take between two to three years for this week's releases to reach the Norwegian coast.The government-owned nuclear company BNFL plans to release in one go at least one third of the amount it is annually permitted to discharge. The annual legal limit for Technetium 99 releases from Sellafield is currently 90 Terabequerels per year, but the Environment Agency has announced its intention to reduce this to 10. Environment Secretary Margaret Beckett is expected to make a decision in the next few weeks on the Environment Agency's proposals to reduce the discharge limit. It is thought BNFL is attempting to release as much of the radioactive substance from its Sellafield stores as is possible before her decision is announced.
Research commissioned by Greenpeace suggests that the dose of the chemical to the world population may be as much as 1,000 times higher than official estimates [3].
Greenpeace nuclear campaigner Pete Roche said: "This deliberate radioactive pollution is a kick in the teeth to our European neighbours. The UK promised to make progressive and substantial reductions in radioactive discharges, but this week's release shows a complete disregard for the views of people in neighbouring countries."
According to the Norwegian media the Norwegian London Embassy heard about these plans last week, and the Norwegian Environment Minister Borge Brende has called on the UK Government to put a halt to BNFL's plans.
Roche continued: "Margaret Beckett should order BNFL to halt this plan to further contaminate the Irish Sea. She cannot allow a government owned-company to behave in such a cavalier manner, with complete disregard for the environment and our friends."
Notes for editors:
- See www.bt.no/lokalt/article103542
- See Radioactivity in Food and the Environment 2000, Food Standards Agency and Scottish Environment Protection Agency. [RIFE 6].
- "Environment Agency's Explanatory Document on Tc-99 Discharges" by Dr Ian Fairlie and Dr David Sumner. Greenpeace February 2001. Copies available on request.
Further information:
Contact:
Greenpeace press office on 020 7865 8255
