SELLAFIELD HAS CONFIRMED that the higher radioactivity detected by one of the site’s in-air monitors overnight was actually “naturally occurring background radon”.

The nuclear power plant said this is not attributable to any issue of problem with an operations on the site.

“Our in-air monitors are extremely sensitive and pick up on any abnormality,” it said in a statement. “Overnight the monitoring system initially indicated elevated levels of activity. Following investigation and analysis, we can now confirm these levels to be naturally occurring background radon.”

This morning all non-essential staff at the site were asked not to report to work because of the elevated radiation levels.

All of our plants and storage facilities were quickly confirmed as operating normally, and we were always confident that the issue posed no risk to the workforce or public because the levels being detected, whilst above background radiation levels, were still low.

Standard weekend working operations will now continue with day staff returning on Monday as normal.

Read: Sellafield says there is ‘no risk to public’ because of elevated radiation levels>

Related: Sellafield facilities “do not meet modern standards” – UK nuclear watchdog