Overview

• On July 3, Radiological Control Operations found a wasp nest on a post near liquid nuclear waste tanks at the Savannah River Site measuring about 100,000 dpm, ten times the federal limit.
• The Department of Energy delayed public disclosure until July 22 to review previous wildlife contamination data and ensure consistent reporting criteria.
• Officials classify the nest as onsite legacy radioactive contamination from residual Cold War operations rather than an active leak from storage tanks.
• Crews sprayed the nest with insecticide, bagged it as radiological waste and detected no live wasps or radiation in the surrounding area.
• Watchdog group Savannah River Site Watch is pressing for detailed analysis of contamination sources and potential tank leaks despite the site’s assurance of no broader risks.