US sub leaked radioactive water
Sat, 02 Aug 2008 06:48:28
The USS. Houston may have leaked trace amounts of radioactive water as the nuclear-powered submarine traveled to Japan and Hawaii.
The leak was found after the Los Angeles-class fast attack submarine went to Hawaii for routine maintenance last month, Navy officials told CNN.
Navy officials said the amount of radiation leaked into the water was virtually undetectable. But the navy alerted the Japanese government because the submarine had been docked in Japan, the CNN report stated.
The problem was discovered last month when a build-up of leaking water popped a covered valve and poured onto a sailor's leg while the submarine was in dry dock.
An investigation found a valve was slowly dripping water from the sub's nuclear power plant. The water had not been in direct contact with the nuclear reactor, according to CNN, citing a navy official.
