Radioactive waste returned
RADIOACTIVE waste exported to South America almost a decade ago has been returned to the Dounreay nuclear plant in Caithness at a cost of £1.7 million.
In 1998, the plant sold 2.9 tonnes of the heavy metal thorium to Kukala, a company in Peru, for just 11,000.
But it was revealed earlier this year that within two months of the 43 barrels of waste arriving in Lima, it was discovered to be contaminated with copper, aluminium and 600g of enriched uranium-235, a highly toxic, hazardous material.
Kukala told Dounreay's management the material was not "fit for purpose" and the waste has now been shipped back to Caithness under strict security.
A spokesman at the plant said: "Thorium exported to Peru in 1998 for use in the manufacture of gas mantles has now been returned safely to Dounreay.
"The material was unused by the customer, who did not have suitable facilities to process or dispose of it."
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