An incident of radioactive contamination occurred at the Savannah River Site (SRS) in South Carolina, where three workers were found to have radioactive material on their shoes. Tests indicated levels of contamination between 80,000 and 300,000 disintegrations per minute, exceeding federal limits. The contamination was discovered as the workers exited a radiological buffer area. Although they were decontaminated and no evidence of inhalation or absorption was found, investigators noted that contamination had spread beyond the intended containment areas. The incident was reported in a federal safety document covering the week ending June 26, but was not publicly announced at that time.
In addition to this incident, another safety lapse was reported at SRS, where an operator began transferring radioactive liquid without adding a necessary chemical to prevent corrosion. The transfer was halted after 30 minutes when a control-room manager identified the error. Investigators found that the operator had misunderstood the revised procedure for the transfer. The site, which has transitioned from producing nuclear materials to focusing on environmental cleanup and management, has faced scrutiny over its safety protocols, particularly following a previous incident involving a radioactive wasp nest discovered in 2025. The Savannah River Site Watch group has criticized the lack of clarity regarding the sources of contamination and potential risks to the public.