Open-Air Demolition at Portsmouth Site Raises Alarm Over Worsening Radioactive Contamination

PIKETON, OH — The deactivation of the sprawling 33-acre X-333 Process Building at the Portsmouth Site has reignited fears over worsening radioactive contamination in the community. Scientists and residents are voicing concerns that the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) reliance on open-air demolition methods is exacerbating an already well-documented environmental crisis.

The X-333 building, once used for uranium enrichment, is the second of three massive structures slated for demolition. As workers prepare to dismantle the building this spring, critics argue that the DOE's approach is releasing hazardous radioactive isotopes into the surrounding environment, further threatening public health and safety.

Longstanding Contamination Concerns

For years, residents near the Portsmouth Site have contended with evidence of radioactive contamination in their soil, air, and water. Independent scientists have repeatedly confirmed elevated levels of uranium isotopes and other radioactive materials in areas surrounding the facility, a legacy of its decades-long operation as a uranium enrichment plant.

Now, experts warn that the DOE’s use of open-air demolition—tearing down structures without full containment—could worsen the situation. Open-air demolition disperses dust and debris from materials that still harbor radioactive residues, increasing the risk of exposure to surrounding communities.

Deactivation Details Heighten Concerns

Deactivation of the X-333 building required handling 208 miles of uranium-contaminated piping, 626 massive converters, and 13,000 cubic yards of debris. DOE officials touted the completion of this phase as a major milestone in their environmental cleanup mission. However, critics argue that the scale and complexity of the operation demand more stringent safety measures.

The DOE plans to bury much of the waste in its On-Site Waste Disposal Facility (OSWDF), a move that has sparked additional controversy. Opponents question whether the disposal facility can adequately contain radioactive materials over the long term, warning of potential groundwater contamination and other environmental hazards. Reports from the Department of Energy have shown issues with burrowing animals damaging the protective liner in the disposal cells. 

Lessons Unlearned from X-326 Demolition

This isn’t the first time the DOE’s demolition practices have drawn criticism. During the demolition of the X-326 Process Building in 2022, residents reported clouds of dust drifting into nearby neighborhoods, prompting independent scientists to find increased levels of uranium isotopes in soil and water samples.

“The DOE promised safer practices after the X-326 demolition, but we’re seeing the same patterns repeated,” said a local resident. “It’s clear that lessons from the past haven’t been applied.”

Community’s Struggle for Transparency

For residents of Piketon, the lack of transparency from the DOE has become a source of frustration and fear. Repeated requests for comprehensive environmental impact assessments and full disclosure of radiation monitoring data have gone unanswered, fueling mistrust of the agency’s cleanup efforts.

“We live with the constant fear of what’s in our air and water,” said one resident. “The DOE needs to stop downplaying the risks and start protecting the people who live here.”

As the spring demolition of the X-333 building approaches, the DOE faces mounting pressure to abandon its open-air practices and implement more responsible and transparent cleanup measures.