Radioactive object removed from museum

A radioactive rock that was stored within a museum in Kent has been safely removed from the site.

Kent Online reports that Folkestone Town Council acted upon health and safety advice to check radon levels in the town hall where Folkestone Museum is based.

When readings of the radioactive gas came back “higher than they should be”, the museum’s lower floor was cordoned off to the public and staff from late June to early August.

The rock, which is suspected to contain uranium, had been stored away from the public in Folkestone Museum since it was established in its current location in 2017.

“Following the monitoring, the [radon] levels were considered higher than they should be in the lower level of the museum.

“One item was identified within the mineral collection – not within the public area – as being above the permitted level,” the spokesperson said.

“Although already secure, this has been further addressed by removal to a secure location until appropriate disposal measures can be addressed safely as per the advice of the radiation protection officer.”