2024 Year in Review: Piketon’s Ongoing Radioactive Threats and Environmental Failures
PIKETON, OH - The Portsmouth Gaseous Diffusion Plant (PGDP) in Piketon, Ohio, remains a focal point of controversy as radioactive contamination, environmental mismanagement, and nuclear safety violations continue to plague the site. Despite reassurances from the Department of Energy (DOE), independent investigations and regulatory actions have unveiled a litany of unresolved issues threatening both the environment and public health.
DOE Cites Contractor for Safety Violations
In a significant enforcement action this year, the DOE issued a Preliminary Notice of Violation (PNOV) to Mid-America Conversion Services, LLC (MCS), the contractor managing the Portsmouth Depleted Uranium Hexafluoride (DUF6) Conversion Facility. The PNOV detailed numerous nuclear safety violations between 2019 and 2022, including three Severity Level II violations under 10 C.F.R. Part 820 and additional infractions under 10 C.F.R. Part 830, which governs nuclear safety management.
Key highlights of the DOE’s findings include:
- Inadequate Safety Practices: The violations stemmed from failures to address known deficiencies, including risks posed by aging and corroding DUF6 storage cylinders.
- Civil Penalty: The DOE levied a proposed $382,500 penalty, emphasizing the seriousness of these violations.
- DUF6 Storage Risks: With over 20,000 cylinders of DUF6 stored on-site, the potential release of hydrogen fluoride (HF) from corroding or breached containers poses a substantial environmental and public health risk.
MCS’s failure to conduct causal analyses or implement corrective actions underscores the systemic problems in nuclear safety management at the facility.
Radioactive Contamination in Little Beaver Creek
A 2024 Ohio EPA report revealed elevated levels of Technetium-99 (Tc-99) and Thorium-230 in Little Beaver Creek, originating from outflows linked to the PGDP’s on-site radioactive waste dump.
Key Findings:
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Tc-99 Levels:
- Upstream (X780-SW08): Detected at 19.4 pCi/L in the first quarter, significantly above safety limits.
- Downstream (X780-SW06): Measured at 15.4 pCi/L during the same period.
- Tc-99 is highly soluble, enabling it to spread quickly through water systems and persist for millennia.
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Thorium-230 Levels:
- Detected at 5.65 pCi/L upstream and 2.32 pCi/L downstream.
- Thorium-230’s alpha radiation poses severe risks when ingested or inhaled.
These findings highlight the failure of containment measures at the plant’s radioactive waste dump, which continues to leak contaminants into nearby waterways.
Environmental and Health Implications:
Contaminated water poses immediate risks to local ecosystems and residents. Both Tc-99 and Thorium-230 are linked to increased cancer risks and can accumulate in the body, compounding long-term health effects. The creek’s potential connection to agricultural and residential water supplies heightens these risks.
Wastewater Management Violations and Structural Failures
During a September 2024 inspection, the Ohio EPA documented alarming wastewater management issues at the PGDP, including:
- 121 Permit Violations: Between 2018 and 2024, Fluor-BWXT Portsmouth LLC, the former contractor, repeatedly exceeded limits for mercury and suspended solids discharges at Outfall 005.
- Erosion and Off-Site Impacts: Inspectors noted significant erosion and contamination extending beyond plant boundaries into Little Beaver Creek.
- Neglected Infrastructure: Key treatment systems, including sludge drying beds and sand filters, were overdue for maintenance, exacerbating environmental risks.
These systemic failures highlight the inadequacy of current wastewater management practices and the urgent need for infrastructure improvements.
DUF6 Storage and Environmental Hazards
The DUF6 Conversion Facility at the Portsmouth site has long been a source of concern due to the risks associated with its vast inventory of depleted uranium hexafluoride cylinders. The DOE confirmed:
- Over 20,000 Cylinders Stored: Many of these are aging and susceptible to corrosion, increasing the risk of releasing hydrogen fluoride, a toxic and corrosive gas.
- Cylinder Breaches: An EPA report documented several breached cylinders, further underscoring the dangers posed by inadequate storage conditions.
The DOE’s Notice of Violation acknowledged MCS’s failure to address these risks, leaving the community vulnerable to potential environmental disasters.
Airborne Contamination from Demolition Activities
Demolition work at the PGDP, including the dismantling of the X-326 Process Building, contributed to new airborne threats:
- Transuranic Isotopes Detected: Dangerous materials, such as neptunium-237, were released during demolition activities. Neptunium has a half-life exceeding 2 million years and is highly toxic even in trace amounts.
- Inadequate Air Monitoring: The DOE’s reliance on quarterly air sampling leaves significant gaps in detecting real-time radiation exposure, putting workers and nearby residents at risk.
Community Demands for Accountability
Local residents and environmental advocates have called for stronger oversight and transparency in light of these revelations. Recommendations include:
- Independent Monitoring: Third-party oversight of air, water, and waste containment systems to ensure accurate reporting.
- Improved Infrastructure: Immediate upgrades to wastewater treatment facilities and DUF6 storage systems.
- Public Warnings: Posting clear signage along Little Beaver Creek to inform residents of radioactive contamination risks.
Conclusion: A Legacy of Neglect
The Portsmouth Gaseous Diffusion Plant’s radioactive legacy continues to overshadow Piketon’s future. With ongoing contamination, safety violations, and inadequate oversight, the DOE’s assurances of progress ring hollow. The residents of Pike County deserve transparency, accountability, and a commitment to protecting their health and environment for generations to come.
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