Hanford Employee Positive for Radioactive Contamination

RICHLAND, Wash. (AP) — An employee at the Hanford Fire Station has tested positive for a very low level of internal radioactive contamination after handling breathing equipment used at the nuclear reservation's Plutonium Finishing Plant.

The Tri-City Herald reports that Department of Energy officials say the equipment was sent to the station for storage.

More than 100 of the Hanford Fire Department's 150 workers have requested tests. DOE Richland Operations Office Chief of Staff Erik Olds says preliminary results from nine fire department employees yielded the positive result.

Officials say the worker is not expected to face a significant health risk.