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Workers Discover Radioactive Wasp Nests at South Carolina Nuclear Site ☢️🐝
In a bizarre and concerning discovery, four radioactive wasp nests were found at the Savannah River Site (SRS), a former nuclear weapons production facility in South Carolina. The nests, built by mud dauber wasps, contained traces of cesium-137, a radioactive isotope linked to nuclear fission.
Key Details
📍 Location: Savannah River Site (Aiken, SC) – a Department of Energy (DOE) facility once used for plutonium production during the Cold War.
☢️ Radioactive Contamination:
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The nests were found in drainage areas and contained low levels of cesium-137, likely absorbed from contaminated soil or water.
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No immediate public health risk, but workers took precautions.
🐝 Why Wasps? -
Mud dauber wasps collect mud and soil to build nests, potentially picking up radioactive particles in the process.
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Similar incidents have occurred before at nuclear sites, including Hanford in Washington state.
What Happens Next?
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Removal & Cleanup: The nests were safely disposed of as low-level radioactive waste.
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Further Monitoring: Increased inspections for insect activity in contaminated zones.
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Historical Issue: This isn’t the first time—bees and wasps have been known to spread contaminants at nuclear sites.
Why This Matters
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Shows how wildlife can unintentionally spread radiation in restricted areas.
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Highlights ongoing environmental challenges at Cold War-era nuclear sites.
Could this happen elsewhere? Yes—similar cases have been reported at other decommissioned nuclear facilities.
Would you like details on how cesium-137 affects the environment?
