Chemical experts examine possible contaminated soil in Bristol

Chemical experts have been called into a site in Bristol which may have contaminated soil, causing workers to suffer from nosebleeds and respiratory problems.

Porton Down chemical experts were called in to examine a potentially contaminated site at Avonmouth near Bristol. The land was being prepared to house a recycling plant, but work was stopped in February after some workers started to complain of respiratory problems and nosebleeds.

Initial analysis of the site has found nothing of concern, and it is hoped that the workers will be able to resume the work as soon as possible. Government scientists reported that there was nothing of concern in the area, and a spokesman for the Wiltshire-based Defence Science and Technology Laboratory confirmed it had taken soil samples for analysis.

The Ministry of Defence involvement was said to be because of the site's former use rather than in response to any current incident. Jonquil Maudlin, from Bristol City Council, said that the site had been previously used to make mustard gas during World War I, and that the MoD involvement was based purely on this.
She said:"We advised Sita UK that Porton Down should be brought in because of the MoD involvement at the site and because they have the specialist equipment to check for mustard gas or its breakdown products.

"We're continuing to give Sita advice and they are carrying out further tests on the site. When we are happy then workers can go back on site - hopefully in the next couple of weeks.”

Elsewhere in the UK, radioactive contamination warnings at a Scottish beach have said to have been ignored by local authorities. The risk of contamination was filed in a report from 1958, but a full assessment of the site has not taken place until now. Radiation at the site at Dalgety Bay in Fife is believed to be from radium paint used on aircraft instruments.

Posted by Claire Manning