Radioactive Dust Causes Health and Safety Concerns at Former Nuclear Weapons Worksite

The Los Angeles Times recently published an in-depth report about radioactive dust that workers were exposed to at a former nuclear weapons plant that was being demolished in Washington. The project came to a halt late last year, but not before contamination concerns went on for close to a year. According to the article, “The releases at the Department of Energy cleanup site spewed unknown amounts of plutonium dust into the environment, coated private automobiles with the toxic heavy metal and dispensed lifetime internal radioactive doses to 42 workers.”

“Workers exposed to contaminated dusts could not only put their own health at risk, they could unknowingly create a hazard even for family members if these dusts are brought into their homes and vehicles on their clothes, shoes, tools, skin and hair,” said Joe Frasca, Senior Vice President of Marketing at EMSL Analytical, Inc. “Anytime workers are exposed to radioactive dusts or other materials there is a potential for health and safety issues as radiation is known to increase cancer risks. Both the type of radiation to which a person is exposed and the pathway by which they are exposed, influence potential health effects.”

Helping to keep workers safe from radiological exposure risks and protect the environment are the scientists at EMSL Analytical, Inc. Their radiological laboratory has analyzed everything from soil and water to food, vegetation and other unique sample matrices. The laboratory possesses a liberal radioactive materials license able to handle most environmental radioactive needs and offers a wide array of analytical equipment, including Protean 9604 Gas Flow Proportional Counters, Germanium Gamma Spectroscopy Detectors, Perkin Elmer Liquid Scintillation Counters, Alpha Spectroscopy Detectors and other advanced instruments.

EMSL’s radiological services are available to regulators, industry and concerned individuals to help prevent unnecessary exposure to harmful radioactive elements. To learn more about this or other radiological, industrial hygiene or environmental testing services, please visit www.EMSL.com, call (800) 220-3675 or email  info@EMSL.com .

About EMSL Analytical, Inc.

EMSL Analytical, Inc. is one of the leading testing laboratories with 45 locations throughout the United States and Canada. EMSL is a nationally recognized and locally focused provider specializing in fast laboratory results for mold, bacteria, Legionella, USP 797, pathogens, asbestos, lead, soot, char & ash from fires, VOC’s, odors, radon, formaldehyde, indoor air quality, microbiology, environmental, industrial hygiene, radiological, food, beverage & consumer products and material testing services for the identification of unknown substances. EMSL services both professionals and the general public. EMSL maintains an extensive list of accreditations from leading organizations as well as state and federal regulating bodies including, but not limited to A2LA, AIHA LAP, LLC. (AIHA EMLAP, AIHA IHLAP, AIHA ELLAP), NVLAP, CDC ELITE, CPSC, CA ELAP, NY ELAP, TX DOH, NJDEP and multiple other state accrediting agencies. Please visit our website at www.EMSL.com for a complete listing of accreditations.  In addition, EMSL carries a wide range of Sampling Equipment and Investigative Products for environmental professionals.

Contact Information

Joseph Frasca

Senior Vice President of Marketing

EMSL Analytical, Inc.

(1) 856-303-2503

Contact via E-mail