After the discovery of a damaged drum from Los Alamos National Laboratory in the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant, the New Mexico Environment Department yesterday ordered WIPP and LANL to secure 57 similar suspect containers. A leading theory is that nitrate salts in drums from Los Alamos may have reacted with a new organic kitty litter used as an absorbent, leading to the WIPP radiation release. The state is requiring a plan and schedule for isolating, securing and/or treating nitrate salt bearing containers at LANL. “Based on the evidence provided to NMED, the current handling, storage, treatment and transportation of the hazardous nitrate salt bearing waste containers at LANL may present an imminent and substantial endangerment to health or the environment,” states yesterday’s administrative order.
A significant number of similar containers are currently still stored at LANL. “The most recent numbers provided to NMED by the Permittees indicate that there are 57 containers that contain similar nitrate salt bearing waste that were remediated with Litter at LANL, one of which is a sibling container of one of the two suspect containers in Panel 7, Room 7, in the WIPP underground,” the order states.
NMED Secretary Ryan Flynn said in a statement: “NMED is awaiting more specific and reliable information before commenting on how the latest DOE actions will impact the 3706 TRU Waste Campaign to remove all above-ground waste from LANL by June 30th, 2014. NMED’s top priority is to protect the public, workers and the environment from the threat of any potential radioactive releases and we will not approve any actions, including the transportation of any waste containing nitrate salts or the re-opening of the WIPP, until we believe it is safe to do so.”