DENVER—The acting director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology said the agency is strengthening its safety program after a plutonium spill at its campus in Boulder.
James Turner said the fact there was a spill June 9 is “not acceptable.”
On June 10, NIST announced researchers in a laboratory room in Boulder had found that a vial with about a quarter gram of plutonium-containing powder had cracked, spilling some particles.
In subsequent days, officials said radiation was detected in various parts of NIST’s Building 1 and that two sinks were contaminated.
NIST officials said trace amounts of the plutonium may have been washed into Boulder’s sanitary-sewer system when researchers washed their hands after the spill.
Acting interim City Manager Maureen Rait said officials in Boulder have found no adverse effects from the potential plutonium release into the city’s wastewater system.
Gail Porter, an NIST spokeswoman, said she didn’t know whether the employees involved followed proper procedure by washing their hands in the sinks.
Rep. Mark Udall, D-Colo., has called for a review of NIST safety practices.
Turner promised full cooperation with Udall.
