The amount of plutonium that may have washed into Boulder’s wastewater system after a June 9 accident is well below federal and state limits, the National Institute of Standards and Technology said Tuesday.
Researchers in a Boulder laboratory discovered that a vial holding about a quarter gram of plutonium-containing powder had cracked and some particles had spilled, NIST announced June 10. In subsequent days, officials said radiation was detected in various parts of NIST’s Building 1. Two sinks also were contaminated, NIST said.
A National Nuclear Security Administration team found that between 76 and 87 percent of the original sample remained in the laboratory room where the spill occurred, primarily with the original glass vial, according to NIST.
“The maximum amount that likely could have been lost when a researcher washed his hands in the laboratory sink immediately after discovering the cracked vial is about 0.06 gram,” said Laura Ost, NIST spokeswoman.
Federal and state regulations permit the discharge of 0.0000002 microcuries per milliliter of plutonium into sanitary sewer systems, said NIST.
Calculations by the Department of Energy and NIST indicate that the 0.06 grams of plutonium corresponds to a discharge of about 0.00000014 microcuries per milliliter, which “means that any plutonium washed down the drain would have been below the legal limits,” Ost said.
Initial examination of laboratory personnel showed they had trace levels of external contamination, NIST said. The health of the lab personnel as well as others who potentially could have been exposed is being monitored.
NIST said that it is investigating the incident with the assistance of numerous agencies and that “additional safety and occupational and health experts” are expected to arrive in Boulder today.
“The health and safety of our personnel and local communities is our top priority,” NIST acting director James Turner has said previously. “The fact that this incident occurred is not acceptable. ”
Turner said NIST is committed to strengthening its safety program to help prevent “safety incidents” in the future.
Maureen Rait, Boulder’s director of public works and interim city manager, said Boulder officials have found no adverse effects from the potential plutonium release into the wastewater system. Rait said that extensive monitoring at the city’s wastewater plant and of Boulder Creek — where discharge of the treated water goes — shows that no employees or aquatic life have been affected.
“We don’t believe there is any threat to businesses and homes,” Rait said. “There is no reason to be concerned.”
Howard Pankratz: 303-954-1939 or hpankratz@denverpost.com
