State water testing shows at least five radioactive materials in the water at the Pilgrim Nuclear Power Station, plus PFAS chemicals and other non-radiological contaminants.
The Department of Public Health and Department of Environmental Protection released the much-anticipated results yesterday from samples collected April 5.
The water has been under scrutiny because Pilgrim owner Holtec has proposed discharging about 1 million gallons of water from the plant into Cape Cod Bay as part of the decommissioning of the closed facility.
The water would be released after treatment not reflected in the test results.
In an afternoon press briefing, officials from the two agencies said nothing surprised them about the contents of the water.
Results from the Department of Public Health testing show the water inside the reactor building contains tritium, which has been the subject of community concern because it cannot be removed. Tritium is a radioactive form of hydrogen and emits beta radiation.
The agency said the water also contains four “principle” gamma radiation emitters: manganese-54, cobalt-60, zinc-65, and cesium-137.
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