Uranium spill near Columbia shows need for better monitoring, containment

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has rightly reopened an investigation into whether radioactive material that seeped into the soil beneath a Westinghouse fuel rod plant southeast of Columbia presents an environmental hazard.

The spilled uranium has the potential to seep into groundwater and contaminate ponds, creeks and possibly the Congaree River, which is about 3 miles away from the plant. Congaree National Park is about 6 miles downstream.

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