Highly radioactive material found at Dalgety Bay
Published 14 Oct 2011 09:33
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A SECTION of the beach at Dalgety Bay has been closed to the public after highly radioactive material was found on Wednesday.
Scientists from the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa) said the material - 10 times more radioactive than any previously found at the polluted site - gave them "sufficient concern" to ask Fife Council to cordon off a section of the foreshore.
Sepa are now pushing for the Ministry of Defence to act and solve the long-running contamination problem and admitted they may be forced to classify the beach as 'radioactive contaminated land'.
Chief Executive Dr Campbell Gemmell said, "Over the weekend, Sepa scientists continued to investigate an area of the foreshore of Dalgety Bay. Further sources were found.
"An initial reading of activity in one of these sources has given sufficient concern for Sepa to have asked Fife Council to restrict access to the area.
"On Wednesday, Fife Council cordoned off an area of the foreshore close to the public footpath and temporarily erected further warning signs.
"In the short term, Sepa will continue the current investigation and ensure the removal of any further sources detected."
Environment Secretary Richard Lochhead said, "We will continue to press the Ministry of Defence to resolve the matter and, following the most recent survey work at Dalgety Bay, I will be writing to the Secretary of State for Defence today to call for immediate action, and that the MoD meets its responsibilities.
"The Scottish Government has been in constant contact with Sepa over the matter at Dalgety Bay and support Sepa's action and efforts to date.
"We absolutely must get to the root cause of this repeated contamination of Dalgety Bay, and I want to reassure the local community that we will do everything in our power to prevent, once and for all, any radioactive sources being a significant hazard to the public.
"In the meantime I am confident that SEPA is taking all necessary action to ensure that these sources of radiation are identified and removed quickly so that they no longer pose any threat."
Radioactive material was first detected on a part of the foreshore at Dalgety Bay in 1990.
It is thought that the contamination originates from the residue of radium-coated instrument panels from military aircraft incinerated and land filled in the area at the end of World War II.
Monitoring has been undertaken by both Sepa and the Ministry of Defence and radioactive material has been removed periodically.
The highly radioactive material is being analysed to gain a better understanding of the potential risk to human health and the findings have been shared with the Health Protection Agency and NHS Fife.
Dr Gemmell added, "It is now urgent that an appropriate long term remediation plan is developed, and Sepa will meet with Scottish Government and the Ministry of Defence to expedite this.
"This may require Sepa to designate an area of the foreshore at Dalgety Bay as Radioactive Contaminated Land."
This article appeared in Dunfermline Press 14 Oct 11
Have your say. Post a comment on this article.
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graemeq8
2 posts
Oct 14, 10:24
Report commentis that not the area,where they used to blow ships up?
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Yes 2
No 6
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NotHappyJan
192 posts
Oct 14, 23:15
Report commentLive in Dalgety Bay and this is the result. It's really of no consequence to anybody else other than those that live there. With it's one supermarket and few shops it's hardly the vibrant area it was originally meant to be!
Perhaps the whole area should be closed down and demolished and everybody moved to Rosyth where they could enjoy uninhibited swimming when it rains or sample the delights of the Palace Cafe where the gourmet treats would tantalize your taste buds.
Whatever they do,radioactivity is dangerous and people need to be moved out!
Recommend? Yes 73
No 80
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midge1
53 posts
Oct 14, 23:44
Report commentI remember at least 12yrs ago speaking to a local who spoke of the radiation levels being found on the beach being high thanks to old parts of dials from planes being dumped there YET now its all come to light, pity the poor folks trying to sell thier property lovely homes but wouldnt touch them with a barge pole
Recommend? Yes 14
No 4
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graemeq8
2 posts
Oct 15, 06:18
Report commentis that not where in the 60s,the royal navy used to take decommisioned destroyers,and the like and blow them uo?
Recommend? Yes 0
No 2
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lydiapot1
118 posts
Oct 15, 20:35
Report commentThey should consider reconstituting the 'Ready Break' advert, this time, instead of "If you want your kids to glow in the dark, buy a house near windscale" as "buy a house in Dalgety Bay". At least the kids will be under less chance of being run down in the dark mornings because they will be glowing!!
Recommend? Yes 9
No 11
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mikeintheknow
98 posts
Oct 15, 20:49
Report commentNEWS? This is not really news now is it, as most people including the press knows about the radioactive material in Dalgety Bay, Why it has taken till now to actually do something about this mess, god only knows!
Recommend? Yes 4
No 2
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dazboa
5 posts
Oct 15, 22:30
Report commentIts also interesting to note the Dunfermline press fails to mention that the MOD stop monitoring the beaches around Dalgety bay for radioactive material last year. Previous to this time the MoD reported that approx. 100 (one hundred) radioactive particles where detected and removed each year! The reason for stopping? cost cutting exercises!
Regards
ref: http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/transport-environment/visitors-at-risk-as-mod-stops-radiation-monitoring-at-resort-1.1058866
Recommend? Yes 4
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Stuartggray
30 posts
Oct 16, 17:35
Report commentI thought the radioactivity was from old instrument dials? Using the same radioactive paint as on old watches. I haven't heard of anyone dying of watch poisoning...
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No 4
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lydiapot1
118 posts
Oct 17, 06:30
Report commentAh but, could this bring a new meaning to "he died from a dodgy ticker"?
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Calimero
68 posts
Oct 17, 10:32
Report commentand here was me thinking there was two supermarkets in Dalgety Bay. Must have knocked one down in the last couple of days then....
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Blackadder
257 posts
Oct 17, 12:01
Report commentThat, Dobbies and the leisure centre too.....
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Chorthie
39 posts
Oct 17, 12:35
Report commentMy post has been deleted....
My point was, unless your child eats sand they will be fine! People who are scared of Nuclear things tend to just not understand them.
In this economic climate is it worth spending millions of pounds in case a child eats sand? No its not, the dangers from this site are minimal at best! This is just like the "admiralty road" gave me cancer story, just scare mongering by the media. Trying to cloud the public with science neither the writer or public understand.
Recommend? Yes 12
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Calimero
68 posts
Oct 17, 15:14
Report commentand the sailing club, and the large number of beautiful properties with a value of over a quarter of a million and the winner of the 2011 Beautiful Fife awards. I know a few people who have beautiful waterfront properties and love living in the town. Whats so wrong with it?
Must admit have to agree about the Palace cafe, bit grotty and smells funny inside (this may be the customers tho)
Recommend? Yes 6
No 1
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BobTheBuilder
111 posts
Oct 17, 16:23
Report commentProperty is only 'worth' what someone is prepared to pay for it. Come resale time, there is now a legal obligation to disclose all these kind of things. Nuisance neighbours may change, but with all these radioactive elements having half-lives of hundreds of years, I can't see that particular problem going away.
Recommend? Yes 4
No 3
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NotHappyJan
192 posts
Oct 17, 21:18
Report commentI am honoured and humbled that somebody would take the time to set up a Facebook page pasting all my current and previous comments, thank you whoever you are. A lovely picture of Mrs Bucket!
Recommend? Yes 31
No 45
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Walkforce
20 posts
Oct 17, 21:28
Report commentObviously somebody with far too much time on their hands and nothing better to occupy it with NHJ.
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No 0
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joesbro
200 posts
Oct 18, 18:00
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BruceSF
1 post
Oct 19, 12:03
Report commentI grew up in Dalgety in the '60s and '70s and played on the beaches and the, then still standing, airfield and I'm prefectly heathly.
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No 0
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Rosythlover
14 posts
Oct 19, 15:36
Report commentIt's only NHJ trying to wind people up again. The lengths some people go to to see their name in print and a pseudo one as well. Never anything nice to say just 'venomous drivel'. Must lead such a sad life, no friends unless you count FB. Glad I don't have such a sad mundane life that I would need friends on a computer. Shame we should pity rather than berate NHJ. Dotage is a terrible affliction but somehow she manages to string words together to spout utter rubbish, again. Keep up the good work, look forward to next weeks rantings.
Recommend? Yes 40
No 26
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NotHappyJan
192 posts
Oct 19, 22:05
Report commentI am laughing heartily and loudly. Well done Rosythlover in setting up the facebook page that houners me. Its amazing the lengths some people will go to in order to make a point.
You do me great service by posting what you do, and quite rightly you are entitled to voice your opinion as I do. I do it so much better than you and I wonder if that is why you wriote the drivel you do about me.
I will sleep well tonight knowing that the opinions I espouse motivate you to the extent it does for you to do what you do as well as fabricate your nonesense.
Feel free to pity me, feel free to berate me, its water off a ducks back to me. As for facebook, why would I publicise it under a pseudo monika, when I am quite happy to use the one I have alwayd used.
So own up Rosythlover, you are the instigator but too stupid to carry it through.
Have a great sleep, I know I will. xxxxxx
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No 47
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Rosythlover
14 posts
Oct 20, 10:36
Report commentNot guilty NHJ. I wish I had thought about it though. I only ever post on here so that common sense can prevail. You seem to have such a grudge against Rosyth, have you ever stayed there? Did someone look at you the wrong way as you travelled through on your way to the only shop in Dalgety Bay :)? I really feel sorry for you and your narrow mindedness. I always sleep well. As a pensioner I feel I have the right to say whatever I think is right and as for you well words actually fail me.
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No 20
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ShahHoorsur
31 posts
Oct 20, 12:03
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joesbro
200 posts
Oct 20, 13:30
Report commentmight put a glow to the place---take some to rosyth as well.chortle,chortle
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No 40
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NotHappyJan
192 posts
Oct 20, 21:56
Report commentI am amazed what some people think about themselves. As we live in a democracy the right to free speech is paramount. I, as you, are entitled to think as I please and comment on issues of the day. That is one of the main reasons forums such as this exists.
To be accused of being a Troll just because I am consistent in my viewpoint about one particular area and it is not in line with what you think shows a complete disregard for ones right to free speech and borders on the psychopathic misconception that your view and only your view is correct.
Normally I would call for moderation but in this case I think I will let it go through to the keeper, by making such statements one is showing ones ignorance and inferior education.
Recommend? Yes 15
No 43
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******
Oct 21, 17:03
Report commentThis comment has been removed by a moderator
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Miliseverts
1 post
Oct 24, 22:59
Report commentThe radiation levels are extremely low, unless you eat tons of the sand over many years [around 500] there is no risk to health. To be honest i cant see any reason to be on the beach, its littered with glass and jagged metal which is far more dangerous.
I think it is possible to buy more radioactive materials on ebay for a few pounds.
To conclude there IS NO RISK!
Recommend? Yes 4
No 1
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