PIKETON, OH — The American Centrifuge Plant at the Portsmouth Gaseous Diffusion Site has released its Third Quarter 2024 Radiological Discharge Monitoring Report, revealing the continued presence of radioactive materials in discharged water. While the reported levels remain within regulatory limits, the detectable contamination highlights ongoing concerns for environmental safety and public health in the surrounding community.
Key Findings: Radioactive Discharges
The report outlines several troubling points:
- Gross Alpha radiation levels ranged from 1.39 to 5.20 pCi/L (picocuries per liter), with an average of 3.54 pCi/L over the quarter. While below regulatory thresholds, any presence of detectable radioactive materials warrants public scrutiny.
- Uranium concentrations were reported between 0.88 and 1.32 μg/L—trace amounts, but consistent with past discharges.
- Notably, transuranic elements like plutonium and americium were reported as “below detection limits.” While this is standard reporting language, it does not confirm the complete absence of these highly toxic radioactive elements. Critics argue that low-level contamination, even undetectable amounts, may accumulate over time and pose long-term risks.
Why This Matters: A Legacy of Contamination
The Portsmouth site has a decades-long history of handling radioactive materials, and the effects of past operations continue to haunt the region. While Centrus claims compliance with Ohio EPA standards, the cumulative impact of low-level radioactive discharges remains a serious concern. Residents and environmental advocates question whether these ongoing emissions can truly be considered “safe,” given the site’s well-documented environmental challenges.
As one concerned resident put it, “Just because it’s below a certain threshold doesn’t mean it’s harmless. We’ve seen the damage done here before—why should we trust this is different?”
The Community Deserves More Transparency
While the plant remains in compliance, this report raises pressing questions:
- Who is independently verifying these results? Are the numbers truly accurate, or are we relying solely on the plant’s self-monitoring?
- What efforts are being made to minimize or eliminate discharges of radioactive materials entirely?
- How are long-term risks being assessed, particularly with accumulative contamination in the water supply and ecosystem?
Regulators may accept small amounts of radiation as “safe,” but the public has a right to question what’s being released into their environment—and whether it’s being adequately monitored by independent parties.
Environmental and Health Risks: “Low” Doesn’t Mean No Risk
The presence of gross alpha emitters and uranium—even at trace levels—raises alarms for environmental and health advocates. Alpha radiation, while not deeply penetrating, can be dangerous if ingested or inhaled, posing risks of organ damage and cancer over time. Uranium contamination, even in small amounts, has been linked to kidney damage and other adverse health effects.
For transuranic elements like plutonium and americium, their potential presence—even below detection limits—cannot be ignored. These radioactive isotopes have incredibly long half-lives and are among the most dangerous contaminants when accumulated in the body or the environment.
Holding Centrus and Regulators Accountable
Local residents have already borne the brunt of nuclear contamination at the Portsmouth site. As cleanup and operations continue, trust cannot be rebuilt through reports alone—especially those that rely on “compliance” with regulatory thresholds.
Environmental watchdog group "Don't Dump On Us" are calling for greater transparency and independent verification of discharge data to ensure public health is truly being protected. “When it comes to radioactive discharges, the public deserves more than vague assurances of safety,” said one environmental activist.
READ THE FULL REPORT HERE: ViewDocument.aspx
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