Dounreay whistleblower who warned of radioactive pollution dies in his 80s
A DOUNREAY whistleblower who accused his employers of covering up radioactive pollution has died.
Herbie Lyall spoke publicly about his concerns over safety despite facing possible prosecution under the Official Secrets Act.
The health physics surveyor worked at the nuclear power plant in Caithness between 1960 and 1989.
Several years later, he claimed high level radioactive waste had been washed down drains which flushed the materials into the sea and that some of the materials were handled without proper protection when he worked there.
Mr Lyall, who worked as an inspector at the base for many years, further claimed that waste had been dumped in the sea at night to avoid having to mention it in official documents.
He said his former employers were acting like “nuclear cowboys” and covered up the first discoveries of radioactive materials found on a beach next to the plant.
A beach near the power station became Britain’s first offi- cially acknowledged radioactive public area after fragments of plutonium fuel rods were found there the following year.
Signs were put up warning visitors of the dangers of using the beach.
The plant’s owner, the UK Atomic Energy Authority, admitted at the time that its health and safety practices were less stringent in the past.
Mr Lyall, who was in his early 80s, died at Caithness General Hospital in Wick on Wednesday. He was described as the “dearly loved” husband of Christine and a much loved father. He was also a great-grandfather.
His funeral will be held at the Church of Scotland in Bower on Tuesday at 2pm. Donations can be given in lieu of flowers to the British Heart Foundation and the Scottish Ambulance Service at the church.