Home  News International News Inquiry launched after radioactive material sent
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Inquiry launched after radioactive material sent |
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Monday, 18 August 2008 |
HAMILTON - A government investigation has been launched after asbestos and radioactive material from the derelict Club Med site here was accidentally shipped to the United States.
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Works and Engineering, Robert Horton, said the inquiry was ordered after US authorities discovered the materials on a ship arriving in New Jersey. The materials were sent back to Bermuda amid safety concerns.
"There were two containers shipped to New Jersey, one of which we expected to have contained scrap metal but which actually contained asbestos. Apparently there was some mix-up," he told reporters.
"The container with the asbestos, which should have been directed to the government quarry, was inadvertently shipped to the US rather than the container with the scrap metal. Once it reached the US its content was discovered and it was returned to Bermuda.
"The second container contained a boiler. The asbestos had been removed and it was shipped to the US. When it arrived, it was tested and there were signs of radioactive materials. It was decided to ship it back to Bermuda so the radioactive material could be removed, he added.
Horton said the broilers had been here for 40 years and the authorities were aware of the asbestos content, but had no knowledge of radioactive material.
It was discovered in the US and we understand that there are very low levels of radioactivity, unlikely to cause harm to anybody, he added.
The Club Med area is being demolished to make way for a new Park Hyatt hotel featuring a golf course designed by Englishman Nick Faldo, winner of six major tournaments.
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