Extremely High Levels of Plutonium Detected Near Los Alamos Lab in New Mexico

Extremely High Levels of Plutonium, Comparable to Chornobyl, Found Near Los Alamos Lab

Some of you may have watched the recent blockbuster, Oppenheimer, which tells the story of the birth of the atomic bomb at the Los Alamos National Laboratory in New Mexico. Near the lab is a canyon, now fully covered with lush greenery, that has become a popular recreational site. From 1943 until 1963, during the Manhattan Project and part of the subsequent Cold War era, liquid and often radioactive waste was dumped into this canyon, earning it the name Acid Canyon.

Recently, a scientist from Northern Arizona University reported discovering extreme levels of plutonium contamination in Acid Canyon, comparable to those found at the Chornobyl nuclear disaster site in Ukraine. “What I found here in Acid Canyon is pretty much the most extreme plutonium contamination scenario…in an off-site, uncontrolled environmental setting that I’ve ever seen in my career,” says Dr. Ketterer of Northern Arizona University. This alarming finding has raised serious concerns about the extent of radioactive pollution in the area and its potential impact on public health and the environment.

Plutonium, which was among the contaminants, has a half-life of 24,100 years, meaning it remains radioactive and hazardous for millennia. It is a highly toxic radioactive element that, if inhaled or ingested, can cause severe health issues, including lung cancer and other radiation-induced illnesses. The discovery has prompted calls for immediate action to clean up the contamination and ensure public safety.

Local officials and residents are now demanding transparency and a comprehensive assessment of the contamination. Environmental advocates are pushing for stronger federal and state oversight of the laboratory's cleanup efforts, arguing that previous assessments underestimated the risks and that more stringent measures.

Sources:

https://www.energy.gov/.../05/f75/AcidPuebloFactSheet.pdf

https://www.theguardian.com/.../los-alamos-new-mexico...

https://ladailypost.com/nuclear-watch-nm-on-plutonium.../