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First results of Palomares radiation levels
By m.p - Jul 1, 2007 - 5:47 PM
ALSO SEE : • Spain finds trenches of radioactive earth buried at Palomares - Apr 10, 2008 - 1:35 PM
• Area increased for Palomares radiation mapping - Jul 3, 2007 - 9:25 PM

Fishermen collect one of the United States bombs - Archive Photo EFE
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They show the area contaminated by the nuclear bombs which fell to ground four decades ago to be three times larger than originally estimated
El País newspaper reported on Sunday that scientists from CIEMAT, the Centre for Energy and Environmental Investigation, have completed their first analysis of radiation levels in Palomares where two United States nuclear bombs fell to ground after a mid-air refuelling accident four decades ago.

The scientists took readings on 6.6 million square metres of land for evidence of americium-241, which is produced by decaying plutonium. They discovered that the contaminated area in fact extends for 300,000 square metres, and not the originally estimated 90,000.

They say there is no risk to human health, but advise some restrictions on land use as a precautionary measure, including on the sale of food products grown in the affected area.

The Nuclear Safety Commission meets on Monday to debate the results of the study.


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ALSO SEE :
• Spain finds trenches of radioactive earth buried at Palomares - Apr 10, 2008 - 1:35 PM
• Area increased for Palomares radiation mapping - Jul 3, 2007 - 9:25 PM
• Palomares radiation mapping to start in March - Feb 1, 2007 - 10:28 PM
• Initial work starts in Palomares radiation pollution case - Dec 18, 2006 - 9:27 PM
• Palomares radiation cleanup operation starts next month - Oct 12, 2006 - 6:13 PM
• Nuclear clean up starts after forty years - Oct 9, 2006 - 8:19 AM
• The United States agrees to clean up any radioactivity at Palomares - Oct 8, 2006 - 11:23 AM