Re: Hanford Explosion

[E.Antonio@ccmail.pnl.gov (Ernest J Antonio)]

     Here is a message that was distributed this morning.
     
     
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     PRIORITY MESSAGE
     May 15, 1997
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     To:  All Hanford Employees
     
     From:  Lloyd Piper, Deputy Manager, Hanford
     
     Subject:  EXPLOSION AT PFP BEING INVESTIGATED
     
     
     An explosion occurred shortly before 8 p.m. last night at the 
     Plutonium Reclamation Facility, part of the Plutonium Finishing Plant 
     in the 200 West Area.  There was no known release of radioactivity.  
     No employees were injured, though eight employees outside the building 
     at the time of the explosion were examined at Kadlec Medical Center 
     and released.
     
     The explosion occurred in a room where bulk chemicals were mixed to 
     support the now-discontinued plutonium recovery process.  Chemicals 
     are still stored in the room, on the building's fourth floor, but the 
     room was not used to store radioactive materials nor were radioactive 
     materials used there.
     
     Information from air samples inside the facility and air monitors in 
     the surrounding area show no signs of a radioactive release.
     
     A team of investigators entered the Plutonium Reclamation Facility 
     this morning to study the cause of the explosion which ruptured a 
     four-inch water line.  PRF was used to recover scrap plutonium as part 
     of Hanford's former defense mission.
     
     Some of the eight workers--employed by Fluor Daniel 
     Northwest--reported a metallic taste in their mouths following the 
     explosion.  After health physics technicians determined the workers 
     were free of radioactive contamination, they were sent to Kadlec for a 
     precautionary medical examination.  The men had been performing 
     electrical upgrades inside the Plutonium Finishing Plant, working in 
     areas well away from where the explosion occurred.  The Hanford 
     Environmental Health Foundation will follow up with the workers over 
     the next several days.
     
     The Emergency Operation Center and the Joint Information Center were 
     activated Thursday night.  A "take cover" order, placed on Hanford's 
     200 West and East Areas after the explosion, was lifted at about 2 
     a.m.  Workers were directed to remain indoors until it was determined 
     it was safe for them to leave.
     
     We will continue to share additional information with you as it 
     becomes available.
     


______________________________ Reply Separator _________________________________
Subject: Hanford Explosion
Author:  "Charp; Paul" <pac4@ATSDTO1.EM.CDC.GOV> at -SMTPLink
Date:    05/15/97 04:06 PM


Today on NPR a segment discussed an explosion at Hanford.  From the 
newsreport it sounds like something in either the plutonium finishing plant 
or the PUREX facility.
     
Does anyone had additional information?
     
thanks
     
paul charp (pac4@cdc.gov)