Re: [CPEO-MEF] RADIATION: Army investigating Ft. Bliss (TX) bunker

[Lenny Siegel <lsiegel@cpeo.org>]

Low-level radiological contamination found inside Fort Bliss bunker

By David Vergun
Army News Service
July 16, 2013


Those who think they may have been exposed to the radiation or who  
have additional information about the bunker should call in ...


Low levels of alpha and beta radiological particles were detected in  
a weapons storage bunker, July 12, 2013, near Biggs Army Airfield at  
Fort Bliss, Texas, in an area called the "Snake Pit," said an  
installation spokesman.

No gamma particles, a more dangerous form of radiation, have been  
detected thus far, he said.

"At this time, we do not have information that would indicate any  
risk to the general public and there's no indication anyone has been  
impacted by exposure," said Maj. Joe Buccino, Fort Bliss public  
affairs officer, during a press conference at the installation, July 16.



The area where the contamination was detected already had limited- 
access restrictions. It was off-limits to the general public. The  
area, including several other bunkers, has now been cordoned off. A  
thorough inspection, including soil testing, is being conducted. The  
bunker is also known as "Building 11507."

...

For the entire release, see
http://www.army.mil/article/107468/ 
Low_level_radiological_contamination_found_inside_Fort_Bliss_bunker/

On Jul 16, 2013, at 2:33 PM, Lenny Siegel wrote:

> Fort Bliss officials say nuclear contamination not a risk to  
> general public
>
> By Dave Burge
> El Paso Times (TX)
> July 16, 2013
>
> FORT BLISS - The military is beginning an investigation into  
> possible nuclear contamination found in a Cold War-storage bunker  
> in an area northwest of Biggs Airfield, Fort Bliss officials  
> announced Tuesday morning.
>
> Army, Air Force and Pentagon officials are also investigating  
> reports that contaminated residue, from things like rags used to  
> clean nuclear weapons were buried in sealed containers in this area  
> known as the Snake Pit.
>
> Military officials are in the "infancy" of the probe, but there are  
> no reasons for the general public to be concerned about health  
> risks, officials said.
>
> An Air Force veteran who worked at Biggs during the early 1950s  
> contacted the Air Force Safety Center about his concerns,  
> especially about the possibility of military housing being built in  
> this area in the future. Fort Bliss officials said there are no  
> plans to build housing in this area.
>
>
> ...
>
> For the entire article, see
> http://www.elpasotimes.com/newupdated/ci_23669399/fort-bliss- 
> officials-say-nuclear-contamination-not-risk
>
> --
>
> Lenny Siegel
> Executive Director, Center for Public Environmental Oversight
> a project of the Pacific Studies Center
> 278-A Hope St., Mountain View, CA 94041
> Voice: 650/961-8918 or 650/969-1545
> Fax: 650/961-8918
> <lsiegel@cpeo.org>
> http://www.cpeo.org
>
> _______________________________________________
> Military mailing list
> Military@lists.cpeo.org
> http://lists.cpeo.org/listinfo.cgi/military-cpeo.org

--

Lenny Siegel
Executive Director, Center for Public Environmental Oversight
a project of the Pacific Studies Center
278-A Hope St., Mountain View, CA 94041
Voice: 650/961-8918 or 650/969-1545
Fax: 650/961-8918
<lsiegel@cpeo.org>
http://www.cpeo.org

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