Trace amounts of radioactive particles were emitted from Wylfa nuclear power station after a reactor fan was working in reverse.
A routine maintenance check found a fan supplying air to a reactor building had malfunctioned and was actually extracting air from contamination controlled areas.
A survey found no significant contamination, but there were trace amounts of radioactive isotope Cobalt-60 (Co-60), which has resulted in a warning letter from Natural Resources Wales.
Magnox said there was no risk to either staff or the public.
The issue was first discovered on November 11, when the nuclear plant on Anglesey was still generating, and the information released as part of a recent stakeholders' meeting report.
Stuart Law, site director Magnox Wylfa, told stakeholders: “It was discovered during routine maintenance that a fan supplying air to the reactor building was flowing in reverse.
“This meant that air was being extracted from contamination controlled areas.
“Following an initial survey, no significant contamination was found, however there were trace amounts of Co-60 which has resulted in a warning letter from Natural Resources Wales.
“There was no issue/harm to the public.”
Wylfa stopped generating power in December last year and is now in its de-fuelling stage.
In response to an enquiry from the Daily Post, Magnox released this statement: “It was discovered on November 11 that a fan supplying air to some parts of the reactor equipment building at Wylfa was running in a reverse direction.
"On finding the problem, the fan was stopped immediately.
“An investigation was undertaken to understand how this happened. All other fans in the building were checked and found to be operating correctly.
“While there was no risk to either staff or members of the public, it is important that our systems run as designed, and we take the formal letter from Natural Resources Wales seriously.”
Co-60 is a byproduct of nuclear reactor operations. It is only harmful with exposure to large sources of Co-60 which can cause skin burns, acute radiation sickness or death.
Natural Resources Wales have been asked to comment.
see-http://www.dailypost.co.uk/business/business-news/radioactive-leak-found-wylfabecause-fan-11097867
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