A Radioactive Wasp Nest? opus 619
| 1 August 2025 1700 Hours | | Science, Biology, Chemistry, Entomology, Law |
A radioactive wasp nest was discovered
In a South Carolina site which formerly made parts for nuclear bombs.
There are routine radiation checks and the nest was found
Near where tanks of liquid nuclear waste is stored.
The radiation level was 10 times allowed by federal regulations.
The nest was sprayed with insecticide and disposed of.
No leak appeared from the waste tanks.
The nest seemed to be radioactive from residual radioactivity.
There is yet no conclusion from where the actual radioactivity came.
Of course, there is the possibility of another such contaminated nest,
If there is a positive leak somewhere.
Some wasps use dirt and others use other materials to construct their nests.
It therefore may be crucial to know the type of wasp nest. (Yes, absolutely!)
There may be no public danger, as wasps fly near their nests.
It is assumed that the wasps' radioactive level would have been lower than the nest.
This is a wrinkle in the radioactive 'danger story'.