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Morning Extra - The Investigation — Radioactive Scotland

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Mark Stephen investigates Scotland's radioactive legacy and finds out what the authorities are doing. Scotland has a legacy of radioactive sites that have never been properly dealt with. Probably Scotland's most contentious example is that of Dalgety Bay in Fife. It used to be a military aircraft site, but when it was demolished it operated a 'bash, burn and bury' policy where aircraft parts and cock pit dials contaminated with luminous paint were broken up and buried. It's now a housing estate and they keep finding radioactive materials there. And take the site of an old factory works in Wishaw that produced dashboard equipment using radioactive materials. The site hasn't been adequately dealt with and, most worryingly, it's next to a school. Of course, all these locations were operated at a time when we were unaware of the risks of radiation exposure and when health and safety procedures were less sophisticated. But are they being adequately monitored now? And do these sites really still pose a significant risk to those who live nearby? Graham Stewart takes your calls, texts and emails.