美國非營利組織「核子資訊及資源服務組織」（Nuclear Information and Resource Service，NIRS）14日發表報告揭露，來自核武廠的放射性物質竟可進入一般垃圾掩埋場，並流入商業回收流程之中。流入一般掩埋場中的放射性物質包括廢金屬、混凝土、器械、瀝青、塑膠、木材、化學物品和泥土等等。
受到美國能源部核彈製造廠所污染的部分放射性廢棄物，已經由國家授權的公司加以處理，在某些情況下，這些廢棄物被重新定義為「特殊廢棄物」，並流入一般垃圾掩埋場。
撰寫上述報告的NIRS核廢專案主任達利戈（Diane D'Arrigo）表示：「掩埋場週遭的民眾，一旦得知核武廠的輻射廢料最後是送到這類場所，必定會感到震驚，不管這些輻射廢料是由能源部直接運來，或是透過中間商與處理商。」她指出：「這是不祥之兆，能源部允許並鼓勵出售或捐出部分輻射廢棄物。」
該份報告名為《故意的失控：能源部輻射廢料流入掩埋場與消費產品》，指出了輻射物質流入資源回收流程的可能性，而這類物質可能經過再利用成為家用產品、個人用品、或是道路、校園、遊樂場建材的一部分。報告免費下載網址在此。
Radioactive materials from nuclear weapons facilities are being released to regular landfills and could get into commercial recycling streams, finds a report issued today by the nonprofit Nuclear Information and Resource Service, NIRS. Radioactive scrap, concrete, equipment, asphalt, plastic, wood, chemicals, and soil are placed in ordinary landfills, researchers learned.
Contaminated by nuclear bomb production at Department of Energy, DOE, facilities, some of the radioactive waste is processed by state-licensed companies. In some cases it is "redefined" as "special" and then disposed of in regular landfills.
"People around regular trash landfills will be shocked to learn that radioactive contamination from nuclear weapons production is ending up there, either directly released by DOE or via brokers and processors," says lead author Diane D'Arrigo, NIRS' Radioactive Waste Project director.
"Just as ominous," she said, "the DOE allows and encourages sale and donation of some radioactively contaminated materials."
This free release opens up the potential for the materials to enter the recycling stream to make everyday household and personal items or to be used to build roads, schools, and playgrounds.
A copy of the full report, "Out of Control — On Purpose: DOE's Dispersal of Radioactive Waste into Landfills and Consumer Products," is online at: http://www.nirs.org/radwaste/outofcontrol/outofcontrol.htm
全文及圖片詳見 ENS報導
