Dounreay testing comes under fire

Twelve particles have been found near Dounreay

The system used to detect radioactive particles on the seabed near Dounreay is not up to the job, according to a new report.

The Dounreay Particles Advisory Group was set up to trace the source of the particles which have been found near the Caithness nuclear plant and estimate the scale of the problem.

But the group's first report has revealed that the system being used is incapable of discriminating between naturally occurring radiation and radioactivity from nuclear hotspots.

The group has praised the substantial progress being made at the plant.

Campaigners have criticised the group

But nuclear campaigners said it does not go far enough.

The continuing discovery of particles on the site foreshore, a local beach and the seabed has been a thorn in the side of management at Dounreay.

The advisory group set up to help trace the source and the scale of the problem has praised efforts made to date.

But it said improvements must be made in offshore work.

Its report said the equipment surveying the seabed could not discriminate between the natural radiation and radioactivity from hotspots.

Clean-up call

Dounreay, which is operated by the UK Atomic Energy Authority, said it is already investigating the use of updated techniques.

It has agreed to respond positively to the group's recommendations.

But Scotland Against Nuclear Dumping has criticised what it sees as the advisory group's failure to put any pressure on the UKAEA to actually start cleaning up the seabed.

Twelve particles have been found close to Dounreay since 1983.