Los Alamos completes inquiry into material accounting discrepancy

Contact: James E. Rickman, jamesr@lanl.gov, (505) 665-9203 (03-119)

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LOS ALAMOS, N.M., Sept. 4, 2003 -- Security and safety specialists at Los Alamos National Laboratory have completed a special inquiry into an inventory discrepancy involving an extremely small amount of low-purity plutonium oxide and have recommended changes that will enhance the Laboratory's nuclear material accounting and handling procedures. The internal inquiry was undertaken at the request of Director G. Peter Nanos.

Because of the small quantity and low purity of the material, the incident was not considered a security threat. The Laboratory immediately reported the incident on June 12 in accordance with U.S. Department of Energy requirements. The inquiry indicates a high probability that the material most likely was handled as radioactive waste.

The low-purity plutonium oxide does not present a significant risk to the environment, human health or national security.

The inquiry identified several improvement opportunities for the processes the Laboratory uses to track small analytical samples of nuclear material. As a result of the inquiry, the Laboratory has begun a process of remedying shortcomings in the tracking system and in procedures used by researchers who handle such materials.

"I am pleased that our inquiry has been able to quickly identify the underlying causes of this incident," Nanos said. "We will take actions to improve our nuclear materials accounting systems with the same vigor that we've used to improve our business practices. These improvements will put us one step closer to our institutional goal of excellence in all things."

Among the proposed improvements, the Laboratory will: streamline, simplify and strengthen oversight responsibilities for materials handlers and their supervisors; enhance documentation and tracking requirements for materials handlers; and evaluate the feasibility of integrating all materials tracking systems into one system.

The small sample was a mixture of nuclear material and other elements. The sample size was extremely small, but the specific quantity cannot be disclosed due to security requirements.

The only options for disposal of the material after the chemical analyses were to store it or discard it as waste. Laboratory investigators are certain that the material was not stored. After the material was discovered missing, the incident was reported and Nanos requested an internal inquiry.

Los Alamos National Laboratory is operated by the University of California for the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) of the U.S. Department of Energy and works in partnership with NNSA's Sandia and Lawrence Livermore national laboratories to support NNSA in its mission.

Los Alamos enhances global security by ensuring the safety and reliability of the U.S. nuclear stockpile, developing technologies to reduce threats from weapons of mass destruction, and solving problems related to energy, environment, infrastructure, health and national security concerns.

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