Costa de Almería
Initial work starts in Palomares radiation pollution case
By m.p. - Dec 18, 2006 - 9:27 PM
email this articleWork has started to fence off the affected area prior to study
Central government offices in Almería province have confirmed that preparations have begun for the work to measure radiation levels in Palomares.
The work is taking place in Zone 3 of the 10 hectare area, in Palomares itself, where the area to be analysed is currently being fenced off. The two other zones are near Vera and in Cuevas del Almanzora.
A group of 20 technicians will start the work of drawing up a three dimensional map of the entire area once all the fencing has been erected. The detailed map will need at least two years to complete.
The next stage of the operation will be laboratory analysis of their results by a team of technicians from the United States, under an agreement signed with the US Energy Department earlier this year.
The area was contaminated after a mid-air accident between a B-52 bomber and a refuelling plane in 1966, when the parachutes on two of the aircraft’s 4 thermonuclear bombs failed, and they crashed to ground in Palomares.
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