Mobile UPI  |   About UPI  |   UPI en Español  |   UPI Arabic  |   UPIU  |   My Account
Search:
Go

Radioactive rabbit scat cleaned up

|
|
 
  
Published: Oct. 9, 2009 at 12:59 AM

HANFORD, Wash., Oct. 9 (UPI) -- A helicopter conducted an aerial search for slightly radioactive jackrabbit scat at the Hanford nuclear site in Washington state, officials said.

Finding and removing the scat would have taken months with a ground survey, experts say. The helicopter, equipped with radiation detectors and working 80 feet in the air, completed the survey in a few weeks, SeattlePI.com reported.

The radioactive poop is a legacy of the Cold War.

Decades ago, liquid wastes from plutonium production were dumped in underground tanks. Jackrabbits burrowed into the dumps and liked the salty taste so nuclear waste went in one end and out the other.

Cleanup of the scat began this week. Officials say the aerial survey pinpointed areas in need of cleanup, so less earth will have to be moved.

The radioactive dirt will be held in a landfill at Hanford.

Nevada-based National Security Technologies received $300,000 in federal stimulus money sent to Hanford to do the helicopter survey.

© 2009 United Press International, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Any reproduction, republication, redistribution and/or modification of any UPI content is expressly prohibited without UPI's prior written consent.

Order reprints
  
Join the conversation
Most Popular Collections
Cheerleaders of 2012 Tibetan pilgrims celebrate New Years Oscar nominations 2012
2011: The year in space The Most Desirable Women of 2012 The best kisses
Additional Odd News Stories
Your Daily Horoscope
The almanac
1 of 20
Cold snap across Europe
View Caption
fark
Mexico wants to be less decapitatey, more touristy
Family heartbroken after thieves steal baby's ashes from suburban home. Suspect described as female,...
Los Angeles may fine you $1,000 if you throw any object besides a beach ball or volleyball on a...
Sometimes you get bored at work. Sometimes you view porn. Protip: Don't view it in the middle of...
Mein Kampfy shorts
Protip: Dude, you're supposed to wait until you actually assume your teaching job before making...