New concerns are emerging about extreme plutonium contamination in Los Alamos' Acid Canyon in northern New Mexico, prompting calls for more robust cleanup efforts.
Susan Montoya Bryan reports for the Associated Press.
In short:
- Researchers found dangerously high levels of plutonium in Los Alamos' Acid Canyon, surpassing other contaminated sites in the U.S.
- Despite federal assurances of safety, experts urge officials to warn the public about potential risks, especially in water contact areas.
- The ongoing concern is the spread of contamination through water, plants, and potential wildfire ash, with cleanup efforts long delayed.
Key quote:
“This is an unrestricted area. I’ve never seen anything quite like it in the United States. It’s just an extreme example of very high concentrations of plutonium in soils and sediments. Really, you know, it’s hiding in plain sight.”
— Michael Ketterer, professor emeritus, Northern Arizona University
Why this matters:
As the U.S. ramps up nuclear weapons production, the ghosts of past contamination still haunt Los Alamos. Plutonium isn’t something that just fades away; it lingers, spreading its toxic shadow over the community. Read more: Cold War-era military site continues to pollute fish and Yupik people.
