Staff at a Carshalton biological research facility could be at risk of radioactive poisoning, according to the Environment Agency, which has ordered it to clean up its act.

TNO Bibra International was rapped by the statutory watchdog following two inspections this year, the latest of which took place on November 1. On both occasions laboratories were found unsuitable for radioactive work.

The Woodmansterne Road company uses radioactive materials to test other substances for toxicity, but has been forbidden from doing so until it cleans up lab conditions.

Agency inspector Susan Hayward said: "The company's current facilities and maintenance performance may lead to unnecessary contamination of the site and therefore increased levels of radioactive waste upon the final decommissioning of the site."

And an agency spokesman stressed: "There is a risk to staff who may be exposed to radioactive materials."

Following the first inspection in May, inspectors found one laboratory unfit for the work with carbon-14 and titrium which was being carried out there, and ordered Bibra to remove it of radioactive materials.

It also found the replacement radioactivity lab unsuitable for use and slammed Bibra's record keeping of radioactive stock.

The agency has ordered Bibra to review and rectify its records and file a report to the watchdog on how it plans to improve the replacement lab.

The company has also been given until April 30 next year to investigate the original lab and if necessary, decontaminate it.

The agency spokesman confirmed: "Whenever there are changes to be made, our inspectors will go in and decide whether they have been done properly."

Bibra's head of toxicology Paul Bantram said he accepted all the agency's findings and that work had already started on improving the second laboratory.

He added: "The agency was happy about most of what we do, including the main laboratory where we store radioactive isotopes. There's no evidence of actual contamination of facilities or people it's about the state of the facilities allowing the potential for contamination."

November 16, 2001 14:30