A cracked vial spilled a few particles of radioactive powder at the National Institute of Standards and Technology in Boulder on Monday, briefly quarantining 22 people and forcing two labs to be sealed off.
The plutonium-laced powder was found on the shoes and some clothing of most of the people. Two staff members had trace contamination on their hands and trace contamination was found in a nearby hallway and a small office area.
The incident was reported to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Testing continues, but officials said there is no evidence that any other radioactive materials left the lab.
The plutonium was part of research to improve radiation detectors for nuclear inspectors. U.S. Rep. Mark Udall, D-Colo., whose district includes Boulder, issued a statement, saying he had been assured that scientists were fine and that no contamination escaped the lab.
