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US sub could have leaked radiation in Singapore

SINGAPORE: A US nuclear-powered submarine could have leaked radioactive water during a Singapore stop in September 2006, Singapore’s Minister for Defence Teo Chee Hean said on Monday.

Speaking in parliament, Teo said the United States informed Singapore this month that the USS Houston had been leaking trace amounts of radioactive water since June 2006.

“This suggested that the USS Houston could have been leaking during her port call at Changi Naval Base in September 2006,” Teo said in response to a parliamentary question. Singapore had asked the United States for information after reports in early August said the USS Houston could have been leaking radioactive water during a port call in Japan in March this year, he said.

US tests showed the amount of radioactivity that could have leaked from the submarine during its Singapore stop was too small to pose any risk to public health, said Teo.

“To put things into perspective, the US indicated that this was less than the amount of radioactivity found in a common smoke detector, and would not have any adverse effect on human health, marine life or the environment,” the defence minister said.

Singapore also conducted its own investigations which also showed public safety had not been affected by the leak at Changi Naval Base, he said. afp

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