A radioactive wasp nest was discovered on July 3 at the Savannah River Site near Aiken, South Carolina, exposing tenfold higher radiation levels just feet from high‑level nuclear waste tanks and prompting concerns over environmental legacy risks.

At a Glance

• A wasp nest was found near liquid nuclear waste tanks at the Savannah River Site emitting ten times the permissible federal radiation level
• At least three additional contaminated nests were discovered within the 310‑square‑mile facility during routine inspections
• The Department of Energy identified the issue as “legacy contamination” from Cold War operations, not a recent system leakage
• All nests were neutralized, surveyed, and disposed of as radiological waste; no environmental or public health threat was confirmed
• Savannah River Site Watch criticized federal transparency, calling for clarity on contamination pathways and possible risks

Unusual Discovery, Historic Roots

During a routine inspection at the Savannah River Site—established in the early 1950s to produce plutonium and tritium for U.S. nuclear weapons—a wasp nest was located July 3 attached to a post adjacent to tanks holding liquid nuclear waste. Radiation readings measured approximately ten times the federal contamination threshold. Officials classified it as legacy contamination, not a breach in containment protocols.

Within days, at least three more contaminated nests were located across the sprawling 310‑square‑mile site. All were eliminated through standard safety procedures: the nests were exterminated, contained, surveyed and disposed of; no surrounding soil, structures or wildlife beyond the nests were impacted.

Watch now: Radioactive wasp nest found at site where U.S. once made nuclear bombs · YouTube

Oversight Under Fire

Tom Clements, executive director of Savannah River Site Watch, voiced sharp criticism over the DOE’s limited disclosure. He questioned how the wasps became contaminated, whether the pathway remains active, and if more nests are undetected—a concern amplified by the site’s aging infrastructure dating back to the Cold War era.

Despite assurances that the radiation did not pose any threat to workers or nearby residents, watchdogs warned that without detailed data—such as the species of wasps and nest material—determining contamination origin remains speculative. That gap may obscure potential risks tied to historical storage and containment systems.

Context and Risks Ahead

The Savannah River Site currently handles 34 million gallons of radioactive liquid waste stored in 43 underground tanks; eight others have been retired. Some older tanks have previously developed minor leaks, though no active releases were linked to recent finds. Experts say localized “hot spots” like these nests aren’t unusual in ongoing remediation zones—but still warrant careful tracking.

Nuclear science authorities emphasize that wildlife in former nuclear sites occasionally displays elevated radiation, but such reports typically reflect residual contamination rather than new failures. However, environmental safety advocates argue that revealing contamination pathways is critical to assurance and oversight.