Comments

You have commented 339 times on Rantburg.

Your Name

Your e-mail (optional)

Website (optional)

	My Original Nic Pic-a-Nic Sorry. Comments have been closed on this article.
Foto

Submit your comments on this article

-Short Attention Span Theater-

Developing: NM radiation leak

2014-02-27

CARLSBAD, N.M. (KRQE) - The Department of Energy announced Wednesday tests show 13 employees at the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant near Carlsbad were exposed to radiation.

There will be more testing to see if more people were exposed, and an investigation into how this happened in the first place.

The underground facility, which stores low-level contaminated waste from Los Alamos and other nuclear sites, is still closed.

No one knows yet how bad the situation is in that storage area, but the Department of Energy sent out a letter Wednesday to tell people in two counties what they do know so far.

In a letter to the people of Eddy and Lea counties, DOE said the radiation that got into the air Valentine's Day was likely at very low levels, no more risky than a chest X-ray.

Eddy County Manager Rick Rudometkin said he is confident DOE is handling it.
"We've got top men working on it. Top men."

Posted by:Anguper Hupomosing9418

#5 A vague late afternoon report from KRQE:

Right now the radiation around WIPP is closer to normal and KRQE New 13 is told 182 workers are still on the job.

Its unclear what caused the radiation leak, possibly a roof or ceiling collapse.

The plan right now is to send in probes and then people below ground to determine exactly where the leak is and where the air itself is safe to breathe.

WIPP Project Manager Farok Sharif said officials have a lot to get done but they will not rush the process.

WIPP has been sorting nuclear waste for nearly 15 years and this is the first problem like this the project has had.

Posted by: Anguper Hupomosing9418 2014-02-27 22:39

#4 Have a piece of Trinitite around here someplace. No detectable radiation from a normal Geiger counter when I got it, some 25 years ago.

Posted by: Glenmore 2014-02-27 20:40

#3 So far, much ado about nothing. Detected levels seem to be minimal. My concern would be what caused the exposure/leak and that has NOT been discussed at all.

The operators hand is exposed to radiation when he cleans the source rod on a nuclear densometer (used to test density/compaction of base and surface of roadways). No problem at all unless the torso or head are exposed (through sloppy techniques/procedures) and that's why anyone that works around nuclear devices were exposure badges.

Posted by: tipover 2014-02-27 16:47

#2 I've been to the Trinity Site. It is well worth a visit, check ahead for open times, usually in spring or fall. It's a long drive from ABQ, scenic but barren desert country. There's plenty of small pieces of trinitite laying around the site, but don't try to steal any.

Posted by: Anguper Hupomosing9418 2014-02-27 12:57

#1 Not to be confused with ground zero at Trinity.

Posted by: Procopius2k 2014-02-27 12:30

00:00