Radioactive runoff reported near Los Alamos lab

The Associated Press

SANTA FE, N.M. (July 19, 2000 10:41 p.m. EDT http://www.nandotimes.com) - Scientists have reported radioactive storm runoff in a fire-ravaged area above the Los Alamos nuclear laboratory.

The first significant thunderstorm to hit Los Alamos after a fire burned through the area this spring flushed higher-than-average levels of radiation down Los Alamos Canyon early last month, the lab reported Tuesday.

It's not water used for drinking, lab officials said.

Preliminary, uncorroborated data suggest the storm moved plutonium, cesium-137, strontium-90 and other contaminants - still within allowable health standards. But in areas of the canyon, overall combined radioactivity rose above levels that would trigger a cleanup of drinking water - if drinking water were at issue.

A team of state, lab and University of New Mexico officials are about to begin sampling storm runoff around Los Alamos.

http://www.nandotimes.com/noframes/story/0,2107,500230103-500333100-501898984-0,00.html

-- Martin Thompson (mthom1927@aol.com), July 19, 2000