Vol. 404 No. 4
50 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for Energy if he has carried out any investigation into the circumstances in which radioactive dust from an electric furnace, 50 times higher than normal background levels, which was found in a British waste processing company was discovered to have originated in Irish Steel; if he has asked Irish Steel to review its procedures, in the light of this discovery; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The Nuclear Energy Board began an investigation immediately upon notification by Irish Steel of the existence of the contaminated dust and I was kept regularly informed of the progress of the investigation. It became clear that a small radioactive source had been contained in a consignment of imported steel which is used as a raw material in the steel making process. Tests carried out by the NEB indicated that no danger existed for employees or the environment.
Irish Steel have purchased equipment to measure the radioactive content of dust samples and have been trained in its use by NEB staff. Irish Steel have also acquired a radiation detector which is designed to detect any radioactive sources in incoming consignments of scrap steel.
