Radioactive Particles Found At INL Facility

Federal officials are trying to figure out the source of radioactive particles at the Idaho National Laboratory advanced test reactor complex after a contractor came across traces of cesium and cobalt on construction debris.

“It may have come from some past decontamination and demolition projects that we’ve done at that particular site where we’ve torn down old buildings,? said Brad Bugger of the Department of Energy on Friday.

With so many unanswered questions about the source of the problem, the DOE can provide at least one answer.

?There?s really no concern for people who are off-site,? said Bugger. ?It doesn?t pose a real health threat unless you would get it onto your skin and it would be attached to your skin and you would have a prolonged exposure to it.?

Not to mention the facility is in the middle of the desert, about 45 miles west of Idaho Falls.

In the meantime, Bugger said, ?We’re surveying people as they come in and out of the facility, we’re surveying vehicles as they come out of the facility and we’re trying to limit access to the area to make sure that nothing is getting off-site.”