17th March 2011, 07:55 PM
There was an archaeological project in the late 80s/early 90s in the UK that involved archaeologists coming into contact with radioactive waste from a former military instillation. This was reported in the media at the time and I wont even touch the AUP by going anywhere near the names involved. However, at the time, and even more so now now with the benefit of hindsight, it seems that the atttitude of many of the managers of this project (both inside and outside archaeology) was to downplay the potential risks and make it quite difficult for the exposed archaeologists to pursue post-exposure screening or restitution.
I am not aware that any of the exposed archaeologists has suffered any health problems as a result of exposure, but sometimes such problems can take time to show through and quite often the 'causation' process is difficult to pin down (especially where there is a lack of supporting managerial 'evidence' or willingness to admit the extent to which exposure has occurred).
I am not entirely confident that any future incidence in UK archaeology would be treated any differently....
I am not aware that any of the exposed archaeologists has suffered any health problems as a result of exposure, but sometimes such problems can take time to show through and quite often the 'causation' process is difficult to pin down (especially where there is a lack of supporting managerial 'evidence' or willingness to admit the extent to which exposure has occurred).
I am not entirely confident that any future incidence in UK archaeology would be treated any differently....
With peace and consolation hath dismist, And calm of mind all passion spent...