The Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) in New Mexico, responsible for the production of plutonium pits for nuclear weapons, has been found to have significant safety lapses, according to a recent investigation by the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA). The investigation revealed four "nuclear safety events" that occurred in 2021, including a glove box breach, two floods, and the improper placement of fissionable material. The NNSA withheld nearly $1.5 million from its 2021 contract award to Triad National Security, the organization that manages and operates the lab. A review of weekly reports by the Defense Nuclear Facility Safety Board over the past five years revealed at least 100 process deviations, including safety incidents, emergency events, and protocol violations. These incidents ranged from construction accidents and small fires to worker contamination. The Los Alamos lab insists that it has redundant safety measures in place and that the facility is one of the safest in the country. However, the safety lapses raise concerns about the protection of workers and the public as the lab prepares to increase production of plutonium pits.
Mon, 17 Jul 2023 06:05:00 GMT | New Mexico Political Report