Rushed Approval of Tritium Venting for Los Alamos National Laboratory Ignores Public Input, Alternatives

Yesterday, the New Mexico Environment Department approved Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) and the National Nuclear Security Administration to release gas from tritium waste containers stored in New Mexico. The choice to vent tritium from waste containers into the atmosphere comes after LANL petitioned local government officials for a rush decision despite strong community opposition.

Below is a statement by Dr. Dylan Spaulding, senior scientist for the Global Security Program at the Union of Concerned Scientists.

"While the levels of radiation from these containers are modest, the way LANL handled the situation is troubling. The tritium gas could be safely captured and stored but LANL prefers to release it into the air. This takes a problem of LANL's own making and shifts the health burden to the public and the environment. It also demonstrates how easily radioactive waste packaging can go awry. That's especially worrisome given the impending increase in new hazardous waste created by plutonium pit production at the lab.

"LANL missed the mark on public engagement, independent review, and appropriate and truly inclusive tribal consultation. They have dismissed public concern in a way that erodes trust for future issues where there could be public risk."