Daijiworld Media Network - South Carolina

South Carolina, Aug 2: A routine radiation check at the Savannah River nuclear site near Aiken, South Carolina, led to a startling discovery — a wasp nest emitting radiation levels ten times higher than permissible limits, the BBC reported.

The radioactive nest was found earlier in July, attached to a post near storage tanks holding liquid nuclear waste. The US Department of Energy (DOE) stated the nest was safely sprayed, neutralized, and disposed of as radiological waste.

“There were no wasps found at the scene, and no contamination was detected in the surrounding area,” the DOE report confirmed. Authorities assured the public that there were no leaks from the tanks and no threats to workers, the environment, or nearby residents.

Investigators believe the radiation came from residual contamination from the site's Cold War-era nuclear activities. The Savannah River site, operational since the 1950s, played a critical role in producing plutonium for nuclear weapons. Although weapons production has ceased, the site continues to handle nuclear materials for energy purposes.

Experts noted that while the nest had elevated radiation levels, the wasps that built it likely carried only trace amounts. Wasps typically do not venture far from their nests, suggesting the insects had not traveled outside the sprawling 310-square-mile facility.

From its inception, the site generated over 625 million liters of nuclear waste. Thanks to ongoing efforts, this has been reduced to about 29 million liters. Of the 51 original underground waste tanks, 43 remain active and eight have been permanently closed.