Contractors working in protective, pressurised suits have been painstakingly sifting radioactive waste and toxic chemicals yards from children running around in a school playground.
But nuclear experts insist there is no danger to pupils at Chilton Primary School -- despite the discovery of live war-time munitions, including 1,100 small practice bombs, 12,000 rounds of small arms ammunition, and mines, on the site.
Paul Atyeo, Atomic Energy Authority project manager, said the main risk to children and the public -- including householders in nearby Severn Road -- was the accidental release of hazardous dust from the 18-acre former bomb dump, on the edge of the Harwell International Business Centre site.
"All the work has been carried out in temporary, tented buildings designed to prevent dusts leaving the site," he said.
"The two-year project has been subject to very careful checking and monitoring for radioactivity and air quality."
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