Home : News : Technology :
Weather Wise: Earthquakes

Regular Photo Size

Quake could pose risk to Los Alamos lab

Updated: Tuesday, 27 Oct 2009, 2:45 PM MDT
Published : Tuesday, 27 Oct 2009, 2:45 PM MDT

  • By TIM KORTE, Associated Press Writer

ALBUQUERQUE (AP) - An independent safety oversight board is warning that a major earthquake could cause a catastrophic fire at the main plutonium laboratory at Los Alamos National Laboratory, which could trigger a massive radiation release.

The four-page letter issued Tuesday by the Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board urged Energy Secretary Stephen Chu to make changes to reduce potential hazards.

The board is an auditing agency that oversees federal nuclear programs. It typically examines worst-case scenarios involving national nuclear facilities, then makes recommendations to the Department of Energy on how to minimize risks.

Lab officials released a response, citing several actions taken this year to improve fire safety at the plutonium laboratory building known as Technical Area 55.

Copyright Associated Press, Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

  • Your Response (Login Not Required)

Comments that are derogatory, attack other users, offer unsubstantiated facts, use foul language or are offensive in nature can and will be removed as defined by the Terms of Service. KRQE is not responsible for the content posted in this comment section. We reserve the right to remove any offensive or off-topic remark or thread. To mark a comment for review by a moderator, click "Report."