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Higher radioactivity levels 'not attributable' to Sellafield site

The operators of the Sellafield nuclear site have said that elevated levels of radioactivity detected this morning are 'not attributable' to any operations at the complex. All non-essential staff were asked to stay home this morning as a precaution.

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Higher radiation levels 'encountered in everyday life'

Professor Richard Wakeford, professor of epidemiology at the University of Manchester, has said that the level of radioactivity detected at Sellafield is not above that "encountered in everyday life".

From the information currently available, it appears that an elevated level of radioactivity has been detected at the north of the site, but that it is at a low level above normal.

Such a level would not pose a risk to health that is more than encountered in everyday life, but until the cause of this increase has been identified, for example, what type of radioactive materials are responsible, the Sellafield management have told non-essential staff not to come into work.

– Professor Richard Wakeford, University of Manchester

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