CALIFORNIA IN BRIEF : LIVERMORE : Nuclear Lab Reports Leak of Plutonium
- Share via
A tiny spill of plutonium occurred in the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory plutonium building as a result of a small leak in a rubber glove. Officials said the incident was not related to Tuesday’s earthquake, and no injuries were reported. The quantity spilled was microscopically small and detectable only by sensitive radiation detectors, a spokesman for the laboratory said. Four workers in the room were screened. Two were found to have slightly contaminated hands, while one was found to have slightly contaminated hair. All were decontaminated, the spokesman said. The material spilled was plutonium-238, an isotope used for nuclear batteries.
Sign up for Essential California
The most important California stories and recommendations in your inbox every morning.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
More From the Los Angeles Times
Podcasts
John Orr was a renowned fire investigator who was also a prolific arsonist, and whose thinly veiled novel helped to convict him. In this episode we hear from the fire captain who first suspected him—and from Orr himself.
Tom Girardi was a legal legend—until he was found guilty of stealing millions from his own clients. Host Madison McGhee and pop culture commentator Kiki Monique unpack how his downfall became a Real Housewives scandal, and what Erika Jayne may or may not have known. Plus, L.A. Times reporter Harriet Ryan joins to share how she helped bring Girardi’s crimes to light.
Sammy Roth visits America’s second-largest nuclear plant, Arizona’s Palo Verde Generating Station, and sits down with three experts to explore the pros and cons of atomic energy.
