Scientist describes levels of plutonium near Los Alamos ‘alarmingly high’

LOS ALAMOS, N.M. (KRQE) – New findings from a study aimed at researching how much plutonium is in the ground and water near Los Alamos National Laboratory, have the lead scientists concerned.

“I’m just trying to show New Mexicans what the truth is here,” said Dr. Michael Ketterer, Professor Emeritus of Chemistry and Biochemistry at Northern Arizona University. Over the last few months, Dr. Ketterer has collected and analyzed plutonium levels from a trailhead at Acid Canyon in Los Alamos, NM.

“I see a lot of things to be concerned about here,” Dr. Ketterer said.

In his study, Dr. Ketterer says he found “alarmingly high results” of plutonium contamination. Though radiation levels are not high enough to hurt people walking the trail, advocates with Nuclear Watch New Mexico worry about what could happen if a fire broke out, warning that the smoke inhaled could lead to lung cancer.

“Were Acid Canyon to burn in a wildfire, and we know that threat is all too real, that could be dangerous in the form of respirable plutonium that is released to the air through wildfire,” said Jay Coghlan, Executive Director for Nuclear Watch New Mexico.

“We can’t really predict where it’s going to go and how bad it’s going to be,” added Dr. Ketterer about the possibility of a fire happening in the area.

The land that Dr. Ketterer researched used to belong to Los Alamos Laboratory. Now, the property is owned by the United States Department of Energy, meaning it’s their responsibility to address the issue. Several attempts were made to clean up the contamination, but advocates say it hasn’t been enough.

“We’re not having the comprehensive cleanup that is really needed,” said Coghlan.

However, the United States Department of Energy says contamination levels are up to safety standards. They added that they continue to collect and monitor sediment and water samples in the area. In a statement Thursday, the DOE said the information presented by Dr. Ketterer is consistent with the department’s data and confirms detected levels are safe.

Professor Ketterer disagrees. “I find, what to me is a shocking, alarming situation that is among the worst I’ve seen if not the worst I’ve seen in my career,” Dr. Ketterer explained.

The Department of Defense has set aside billions of dollars to create even more nuclear “pit” cores – the main component of a nuclear bomb. Advocates argue cleanup efforts for previous nuclear production are minimal.

“We’re having cleanup of the first arms race; we’re having funding for cleanup being cut,” Coghlan added.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos.