Scientists 'refused to analyse Dalgety Bay radiation'
16 October 2011 12:08 GM
MoD analysts were 'not keen to work with samples' from the beach where a number of radioactive particles have been found.
Scientists were so worried about the cancer risk from radioactive samples from a Fife beach that they refused to analyse them, it has been revealed.
The revelation came as a further 50 radioactive particles were found on the beach at Dalgety Bay.
Minutes from a meeting between the Scottish Environment Protection Agency and defence chiefs say that Ron Brown, the principal scientist at the MoD's Hampshire laboratory, told the committee that "MoD analysts are not particularly keen to work with these samples due to concerns over dose rates from high-activity samples".
Sepa told STV News that 33 small particles were found on Saturday and a further 17 on Sunday morning. The examination is set to continue next week and the particles found so far are to be sent for analysis.
Environment Secretary Richard Lochhead described the new information as "disturbing".
He said: "I wrote to the previous Secretary of State for Defence yet again last week calling for immediate action and for the MoD to meet its responsibilities, and I will be contacting the new Defence Secretary in light of this disturbing information.
"Public safety is the number one priority, and the MoD must be completely open and transparent. Foot-dragging by MoD officials must not continue to delay a final clean-up."
The beach is thought to be polluted by at least 100 particles a year. A sectiono hsa been closed off since last week.
The meeting between Sepa and MoD scientists took place in March 2009. The details were revealed in the Sunday Herald.
A spokesman for the MoD said: "MoD has been working with Sepa and the Dalgety Bay Forum to resolve the issues at Dalgety Bay. We have supported Sepa's 2011 headland investigation and continue to support Sepa in disposing of any recovered items.
"The work undertaken to date represents MoD's serious commitment to assisting the Dalgety Bay Forum in finding a longer-term strategy for dealing with the radioactive contamination on the foreshore.
"MoD will continue to work with Sepa, the Scottish Executive and the Dalgety Bay Forum to identify the likelihood of residual risks posed and requirement for any remedial action once the details of the most recent Sepa findings are published.
"Should significant risks present themselves in the interim, Sepa has the necessary statutory powers to address these."