|
|
|
A Department of Energy report revealed plutonium stored at a
number of facilities around the country is being kept in an
unsafe manner. The study examined facilities at 35 sites
nationwide, including Lawrence Livermore and Lawrence
Berkeley Labs in the Bay Area. Livermore was ranked the 14th
"most vulnerable" site in the country, where "a large
unmitigated earthquake-caused fire could release plutonium
outside the facility." 900 pounds of plutonium are kept at
the facility, with some containers "bulging due to
pressurization." The conditions at LBL were cited as not as
severe, though adequate filters and safety equipment were
missing at storage containers. Both labs state that these
shortcomings are being addressed. [SF Chron]
|