Dresden atomic plant investigates leak

MORRIS, Ill., June 8 (UPI) -- Officials at the Dresden Nuclear Power plant in Morris, Ill., say they're investigating the leak of a radioactive hydrogen isotope.

Elevated levels of tritium, a by-product of energy produced in atomic reactors, were found during the weekend in a monitoring well, storm drains and a concrete vault, all on plant property, said Tim Hanley, the plant's vice president.

The public is not at risk because the leakage was contained to the middle of the plant's property, Hanley told the Joliet (Ill.) Herald News in a story published Monday.

The escaped Tritium measured 3.2 million picocuries per liter of water, Hanley said. The state Environmental Protection Agency said it considers water safe if it contains no more than 20,000 picocuries per liter. Tritium is a suspected cancer-causing agent, the Herald reported.

Tritium was not found in any of the plant's 71 monitoring wells prior to last weekend's leak, Hanley said.