Low-level radium contamination in 10cm gauge dial found on site

A number of businesses between the 1930s and 1960s used radium paint to highlight the dial on watches and clocks. The instrument was found in a 100-year-old landfill site that will have serviced many of the local factories and workshops in the area.

The Health and Safety Executive was consulted immediately following the find. The Environment Agency, Newham Environmental Health and the planning authority have also been kept informed.

A report, which includes airborne monitoring, was carried out by a specialist contractor for the ODA. Published today by the ODA it confirms that there is no risk to workers or the public.

Investigations carried out in the area showed low levels of radioactivity only slightly above normal background levels.

ODA Chief Executive David Higgins said: ‘We quickly sealed and contained the area while carrying out a thorough investigation involving health and safety bodies. Subsequent tests have confirmed that our procedures have worked well and we will now consider strengthening them even further.’

Read the full release.