Concerns Rise Over Legacy Contamination in Los Alamos

Watchdogs are voicing renewed concerns regarding legacy contamination in Los Alamos, New Mexico, a site historically significant as the birthplace of the atomic bomb. This scrutiny comes amid ongoing efforts to manufacture key components for the nation’s nuclear arsenal. Recent findings have highlighted contamination issues not only in Los Alamos but also in areas surrounding the former Rocky Flats weapons plant in Colorado, with experts noting that the contamination is "hiding in plain sight." The U.S. Department of Energy’s Environmental Management Los Alamos Field Office has responded to these concerns, asserting that the contamination levels in Acid Canyon, where water samples were recently taken, remain low and within safe exposure limits. The department emphasized that the data presented by watchdog groups aligns with information that has been publicly available for years, maintaining that the canyon is safe for unrestricted use. However, Jay Coghlan, director of Nuclear Watch, has raised alarms about the plutonium contamination in Los Alamos, particularly as the lab prepares to produce the next generation of plutonium pits. He criticized the lack of comprehensive cleanup efforts in Acid Canyon, which has been under federal oversight since the late 1960s. The land was eventually transferred to Los Alamos County, but concerns linger about the adequacy of the cleanup. Experts like Ketterer have described the contamination as an enduring issue that cannot be fully resolved, suggesting that while efforts can be made to mitigate the problem, the legacy of contamination will remain a concern for residents and visitors alike.