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10 major miscues – News Extras – The State

10 major miscues
The State

Nov. 16, 2008 – “………………when the Department of Health and Environmental Control missteps, South Carolinians’ lives and property can be at risk…………

NUCLEAR WASTE, SECRECY: BARNWELL

It was common knowledge that radioactive chemicals had leaked into groundwater from the 235-acre landfill where much of the nation had long sent its low-level nuclear waste. But at the request of operator Chem-Nuclear, DHEC for years kept secret details about the contamination. Only in 2007, after a legislative debate on the contamination’s severity prompted The State newspaper to challenge the secrecy, did DHEC release the information. The unsealed data showed radioactive tritium levels rivaling some at the nearby Savannah River Site, a repository not for low-level nuclear waste but deadly, high-level waste. Lawmakers voted to close the landfill to all but three states.

10 major miscues – News Extras – The State

November 17, 2008 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | secrets,lies and civil liberties