Monitoring by the UK Atomic Energy Authority has overlooked raised levels of
radiation around the nuclear research facility at Harwell in Oxfordshire. A
survey by the Scottish Universities Research and Reactor Centre in East Kilbride
detected gamma rays 300 metres beyond the perimeter fence. Anyone spending two
hours a day by the fence for a year would receive more than the recommended
maximum radiation dose of 0.3 millisieverts.
More from New Scientist
Explore the latest news, articles and features
Life
New Scientist recommends a brilliant take on the evolution of birds
Culture
Environment
Striking photos show how sands are encroaching on oases in the Sahara
Regulars
Comment
Think you have a good sense of humour? So do most people…
Regulars
Comment
Sci-fi horror film Backrooms is a triumph for its 20-year-old director
Culture
Popular articles
Trending New Scientist articles
1
Fully autonomous drones have killed human soldiers for the first time
2
Mysterious ‘cold blob’ in the Atlantic suggests the AMOC is weakening
3
Why we should all take quantum physics extremely personally
4
Millions of fossil whale bones found in deep-ocean ‘necropolis’
5
Dinosaur-killing asteroid impact site stayed hot for millions of years
6
Hundreds of new moons are revealing our solar system's violent history
7
A nuclear war between India and Pakistan could destroy the ozone layer
8
A golden age of maths is dawning and mathematicians are freaking out
9
Wildlife thrives in solar farm built on restored peatland
10
I almost drowned in space when my helmet filled with water
