The Nation - News from Feb. 11, 1988

Federal officials said they have found three more plants where an industrial device leaked tiny particles of radioactive polonium. There is no evidence of product contamination at any of the plants, now totaling 28, where leaks have been detected, according to spokesmen for the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and the Food and Drug Administration. The problem involves an ionizing air gun, made by the 3M Corp., used to control static electricity and remove dust from the air. About 2,000 of the devices were recalled from food, drug and cosmetic plants after NRC inspectors found several instances in which the guns leaked tiny ceramic spheres containing polonium 210.