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Submarine Leaking Radioactivity Since 2006

Friday: August 08, 2008

(Pacific Daily News)

A shutoff valve on a U.S. Navy nuclear submarine home ported on Guam has been leaking since 2006, but the Navy says the amount of radiation leaking from the sub has been miniscule, the Pacific Daily News reports.

Acting Gov. Mike Cruz yesterday released a report saying the Navy notified the territorial government that "a shut valve in the USS Houston's engineering plant has been steadily leaking in Guam's inner Apra Harbor since June 2006."

According to Cruz, the Navy said the amount of radiation that leaked into the harbor during that time is equivalent to that emitted from a 50-pound bag of fertilizer. Cruz said the territorial government has asked the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to review the Navy’s findings.

The submarine apparently also leaked radioactive water into Saipan’s Tanapag Harbor during port calls in the Northern Marianas. The USS Houston is in Hawaii undergoing repairs.

http://www.guampdn.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080808/NEWS01/808080307/1002