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Monday, May 7, 2018
The United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has issued a US$8,500 fine against Idaho State University (ISU) for losing a gram of weapons-grade plutonium when doing an inventory check in October 2017. The highly refined plutonium-239 physically appears about the size and shape of a US Quarter with a silvery appearance — contrary to the green hue with which it is often depicted in popular culture. Although it is not massive enough to producing a conventional nuclear bomb, it could be used as an effective dirty bomb.
Plutonium-239 is extremely dangerous to humans, causing birth defects, acute radiation sickness, and death. The NRC and the United Nations’ International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has placed the maximum occupational level of radiation as 5 REM per year. An average person absorbs approximately 300 mREM (.06 of the limit) per year from ambient radioactive material, mostly radon, with few adverse effects.
The NRC approved 14 of the coin-sized discs of plutonium-239 for research collaborating with the Department of Energy and the Idaho National Laboratory for the possible introduction of new nuclear power plants to replace aging facilities. Essentially, nuclear power proliferation was halted after the partial meltdown in reactor #2 of Three Mile Island Nuclear Power Plant on March 28, 1979.
During the inventory audit in 2003 and 2004, the missing plutonium was noted. According to ISU, the missing plutonium specimen was disposed of with the standard interment within a standard steel and lead reinforced concrete sarcophagus buried in a highly secure area. ISU was unable to prove the missing plutonium was disposed of properly, prompting Monday’s fines. ISU’s Vice President of Research, Dr. Cornelis Van der Schyf, Ph.D., attempted to contain the situation by stating, “The radioactive source in question poses no direct health issue or risk to public safety.”
No other NRC punishments have been issued, and the research relationship between ISU and Idaho National Laboratory has yet to be determined. Investigation into the missing plutonium is ongoing with the possibility of further punishments issued to ISU and persons with access or performing research with the plutonium samples.
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