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Los Alamos fire



Here's a scary bit of info for any of you who are downwind from the Los Alamos fire.  A friend sent me an email with a link to the government's page for the Los Alamos facility (the page was updated 11/99).  I hope this does not mean what I fear - that the smoke itself could be contaminated. 

http://www.em.doe.gov/bemr96/lanl.html

Many of the Laboratory's operations required hazardous chemicals and radioactive materials such as plutonium and uranium. Use of these materials resulted in the contamination of facilities, and in some cases, of the surrounding environment. A major source of environmental contamination was waste being discharged into the environment or buried in material disposal areas. In addition to hazardous chemicals and radioactive materials, the contaminants of concern include explosive residues, unexploded ordinance, and asbestos. Although it is no longer used, asbestos is generated as a waste during facility modification and decommissioning activities.
In support of the Laboratory's mission, the Environmental Management program is also investigating approximately 2,100 sites to determine if cleanup is needed. These sites range in size from less than 1 square meter to tens of hectares (a few square feet to tens of acres). Potential residual contamination may exist at these sites as the result of 50 years of Laboratory operation. Contaminants may include radionuclides, organic solvents, metals, and high explosives. Residual contamination may exist in more than 7 million cubic meters (9.1 million cubic yards) of environmental media, primarily soils and sediments.


Environmental Restoration has identified approximately 2,100 potential release sites. The principal mechanism for potential release of contaminants is surface-water runoff, which can carry potentially contaminated sediments, and erode soil, resulting in exposure of buried waste. The primary potential pathways for released contaminants to reach beyond the Laboratory's boundaries are surface runoff, infiltration into alluvial aquifers, and airborne dispersion of particulate matter.



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