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

An expert report including airborne monitoring published today by the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) confirmed that there is no risk to workers or the public. This area is a 100 year old waste tip and several factories and workshops nearby were known to be using radium paint between the 1930s and 1960s. Monitoring has been carried out since earthworks started in the area as a result of research into possible contamination.

A report from the ODA’s specialist contractor stated that 'no worker or member of the public has been unnecessarily exposed to ionising radiation' from the finds, which registered low or very low levels of radioactivity only slightly above background levels. This confirms the advice provided by the Radiological Protection Advisor appointed before work in this area started. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) was consulted immediately following the find. The Environment Agency, Newham Environmental Health and the planning authority have also been kept informed.

The radiation readings are in a small, isolated area of the site which is well away from the public and showing scarcely above normal background levels one metre away. Access to the small affected area has been restricted and airborne site monitoring has shown no readings above background levels. This monitoring continues.

The analysis results indicate that this localised contamination is not related in any way to previous speculation of thorium possibly buried in an area nearby.

The reports findings include:

• No worker or member of the public has been unnecessarily exposed to ionising radiation.
• Measures are in place to ensure that no worker or member of the public has or will be exposed as a consequence of any current or planned activity.
• Airborne monitors have not registered readings above background levels.
  

ODA Chief Executive David Higgins said: 'Health and safety is our major priority. This report makes clear that the health of the public or workers has not been put at risk. We do want to be open and transparent about our work cleaning up the site. That is why we are publishing this expert report, commissioned immediately after this find, which confirms this initial assessment.

'It is important that this find is kept in perspective. It demonstrates our procedures are working and we are already acting on the recommendations from our experts to strengthen them further.'

The ODA aims to clear and clean the majority of the 2.5 square kilometres Olympic Park by Beijing 2008. This includes demolishing over 250 buildings and cleaning over 1.3 milllion tonnes of contaminated soil. Over a third of the site is already clear.

The disposal of the radium will be agreed with Environment Agency using the appropriate process. In addition to these finds, the high-sensitive monitoring at the site’s waste sorting facility detected a small amount of rock-like material with mild radioactive properties. The report from the ODA’s specialist contractor concluded that, due to its very low radioactive content, it is unlikely that this material requires formal authorisation for disposal from the Environment Agency. Until this has been confirmed the material is being isolated.

- Ends –
Download the full report (PDF, 490KB).

For further information please contact the Olympic Delivery Authority Press Office on +44 (0)203 2012 700. Find out the latest from London 2012 HQ on our Work in Progress blog http://www.london2012.com/blog