In the 1960s In Eker was the scene of several underground nuclear tests conducted by the French military.

They included the now infamous Béryl incident which released a cloud of radioactive dust outside the tunnel entrance, contaminating officials viewing the test.

In 1999 the International Atomic Energy Agency conducted tests at the site and found that some radioactive contamination remained on the surface.

Their report concluded that Nomadic pastoralism through the adjacent areas would result in exposures of around 50μSV/year, however Persons scavenging metals in the immediate vicinity of the E2 [test] tunnel might receive doses up to 0.5mSv in 8 hours.

To date, some limited follow up by French personnel has taken place, but no long-term study of the native population, nor the aquifers in the area has been done.