This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/europe/7685124.stm

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
French recall 'radioactive lifts' French recall 'radioactive lifts'
(about 6 hours later)
A company manufacturing lifts in France is removing the buttons from hundreds of them, after finding they contained the radioactive material cobalt 60.A company manufacturing lifts in France is removing the buttons from hundreds of them, after finding they contained the radioactive material cobalt 60.
Up to 600 Otis lifts were refurbished using the buttons which were made using materials supplied by an Indian firm.Up to 600 Otis lifts were refurbished using the buttons which were made using materials supplied by an Indian firm.
Some 20 staff at a factory in Chimilin, France, were believed to have been exposed to unsafe levels of radiation.Some 20 staff at a factory in Chimilin, France, were believed to have been exposed to unsafe levels of radiation.
France's nuclear safety body (ASN) raised its alert level but said there was no danger to human life.France's nuclear safety body (ASN) raised its alert level but said there was no danger to human life.
The firm Mafelec manufactures lift buttons in Chimilin for the French branch of US-based multinational, Otis.The firm Mafelec manufactures lift buttons in Chimilin for the French branch of US-based multinational, Otis.
Radiation was detected at the plant in early October, and a subsequent inspection found that contaminated material had arrived at the plant at some point in August.Radiation was detected at the plant in early October, and a subsequent inspection found that contaminated material had arrived at the plant at some point in August.
Of the 30 workers who came into contact with the material at the Malefec plant, 20 were exposed to radiation above the legal safe limits.Of the 30 workers who came into contact with the material at the Malefec plant, 20 were exposed to radiation above the legal safe limits.
A company in Sweden has also reported faint traces of cobalt 60 in material imported from India, but it was not believed to pose any health risks.A company in Sweden has also reported faint traces of cobalt 60 in material imported from India, but it was not believed to pose any health risks.
ASN categorised the incident as level two on the International Nuclear Event Scale, where seven represents the most serious nuclear accident.ASN categorised the incident as level two on the International Nuclear Event Scale, where seven represents the most serious nuclear accident.
'No danger''No danger'
A spokesman for Otis said the company was in the process of removing buttons from 500 to 600 of the 2,500 lifts the company had installed, modernised or repaired between August 21 and October 9, "even if there is no danger for users".A spokesman for Otis said the company was in the process of removing buttons from 500 to 600 of the 2,500 lifts the company had installed, modernised or repaired between August 21 and October 9, "even if there is no danger for users".
He said the most important point was "that the lift buttons do not represent any risk to people's health".He said the most important point was "that the lift buttons do not represent any risk to people's health".
The removal and checking process is expected to take several weeks and all remaining buttons will be destroyed.The removal and checking process is expected to take several weeks and all remaining buttons will be destroyed.
In a statement on its website, ASN said the five Indian companies believed to have exported the contaminated material to a number of countries were being investigated.In a statement on its website, ASN said the five Indian companies believed to have exported the contaminated material to a number of countries were being investigated.
The body said it would remain in contact with the Indian authorities and with nuclear safety organisations in other countries, and that Mafelec could face charges for public health offences.The body said it would remain in contact with the Indian authorities and with nuclear safety organisations in other countries, and that Mafelec could face charges for public health offences.
The BBC's Hugh Schofield in Paris says the incident has raised questions about the the unintended consequences of globalisation.The BBC's Hugh Schofield in Paris says the incident has raised questions about the the unintended consequences of globalisation.