ENVR Yellow Smoke Sparks Evacuation of Tenn. Site; Plant Developed Uranium For A-bomb

[Ranger Rainier]

Yellow smoke sparks evacuation of Tenn. site
Former plant developed uranium for A-bomb; now being converted to park
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/25676708/

OAK RIDGE, Tenn. - Workers have been evacuated from a former uranium enrichment plant in Tennessee after yellow smoke was seen coming out of a ventilation stack.

U.S. Department of Energy spokesman Walter Perry says the smoke was reported about 8:30 a.m. at a building that processes metal and chemical waste in Oak Ridge, about 20 miles west of Knoxville.

Perry said the department is not asking the public to take any protective action.

No injuries were immediately reported. Firefighters were responding.

The site where uranium for the first atomic bomb was developed has been undergoing cleanup and conversion into an industrial park for several years.

 

[Sebastian]

Well it was shelter in place, the fire had nothing to do with uranium, ETTP is not a "park" its an industrial park.

Yes it did enrich uranium during WWII and the Cold War.

The issue had to do with a private mercury processing facility - nasty enough but entirely local.

My source - about half my office is in emergency response here in Oak Ridge.

We were asked to cancel any trips we might be getting ready to make to the ETTP (K-25) site.

Plenty of potential nightmares here in Oak ridge without making stuff into what it is not.