Are western states still contaminated with radiation from the Nevada Nuclear tests?

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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Are western states still contaminated with radiation from the Nevada Nuclear tests? (Page 1 of 2)

Posted: 1/16/2017 1:56:26 PM EST

If you were just wandering around in the desert, is it possible you would stumble into a hotspot from the nuclear tests and unwittingly expose yourself to excess radiation?

I was wanting to move to somewhere like St. George, Utah, but not if it's still a radioactive hotspot.

Posted: 1/16/2017 1:57:42 PM EST

[#1]

Judging by what some of those people look like, yes.

Posted: 1/16/2017 2:02:34 PM EST

[#2]

Hotspot? Lol. No.

Nowhere in the US will you get dangerous levels of radiation...short of wandering into a reactor or waste facility.

I mean, there are parts of the world that just have higher levels of background radiation, based on what is underground, altitude etc.

Posted: 1/16/2017 2:04:59 PM EST

[#3]

Dibs on guns and ammo.

Posted: 1/16/2017 2:05:18 PM EST

[#4]

Quote History

Quoted:
Judging by what some of those people look like, yes.

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Posted: 1/16/2017 2:06:22 PM EST

[#5]

Quoted:
If you were just wandering around in the desert, is it possible you would stumble into a hotspot from the nuclear tests and unwittingly expose yourself to excess radiation?

I was wanting to move to somewhere like St. George, Utah, but not if it's still a radioactive hotspot.

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e389/helderheid/downwind.jpg

http://themillenniumreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/US-total-fallout-51-70.jpg

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yes, stay where you are

Posted: 1/16/2017 2:07:27 PM EST

[#6]

Why do think it's so hot down there OP?

Posted: 1/16/2017 2:10:12 PM EST

[#7]

Pretty sure all the radioactive nucleides were carefully scavenged into lettuce, corn, and a few other crops, and then donated to some poor disaster ravaged shithole...

Posted: 1/16/2017 2:11:11 PM EST

[#8]

You will be fine. I grew up in Linclon County, NV and I have hardly any outward signs of exposure.

Posted: 1/16/2017 2:13:39 PM EST

[#9]

Wyandotte County, Kansas 1958 - 1962.

Posted: 1/16/2017 2:17:07 PM EST

[#10]

Some of you are just bad, bad people.

No, OP, any place still hot will be fenced off and monitored by the .gov. From what I understand, everything on earth exposed to air from 1945 on is contaminated with nuclear material. And cocaine.

Posted: 1/16/2017 2:17:19 PM EST

[#11]

There are places that are fenced off due to radiation levels.

Posted: 1/16/2017 2:25:19 PM EST

[#12]

Apparently the OP is an easterner, and doesn't understand distances in the west. It's big out here. The Nevada test site is big, and remote. I've stood at ground zero at Trinity twice. You can barely see my third eye.

Posted: 1/16/2017 2:27:40 PM EST

[#13]

Quote History

Quoted:
Apparently the OP is an easterner, and doesn't understand distances in the west. It's big out here. The Nevada test site is big, and remote. I've stood at ground zero at Trinity twice. You can barely see my third eye.

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I have a very strong understand of how big it is out west, but I have a weak understanding of science

Posted: 1/16/2017 2:29:16 PM EST

[#14]

Quote History

Quoted:
I have a very strong understand of how big it is out west, but I have a weak understanding of science

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There's really nothing to worry about. Just don't go digging around the Project Gasbuggy site near Rifle, CO, and you'll be fine.

The National Atomic Museum in ABQ (they renamed it recently and I can't think of the name) does bus tours of the Nevada test site twice a year around the weekends when Trinity is open. Nuclear tourism is actually a thing.

Posted: 1/16/2017 2:33:24 PM EST

[#15]

Quote History

Quoted:
You will be fine. I grew up in Linclon County, NV and I have hardly any outward signs of exposure.

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Hardly any huh? What about inward signs?

Posted: 1/16/2017 2:39:45 PM EST

[#16]

Salmon Site is a 1,470-acre (5.9 km2) tract of land in Lamar County, Mississippi, near Baxterville. The tract is located over a geological formation known as the Tatum Salt Dome and is the location of the only nuclear weapons test detonations known to have been performed in the eastern United States.[1]

Two underground detonations, a joint effort of the US Atomic Energy Commission and the US Department of Defense, took place under the designation of Project Dribble, part of a larger program known as Vela Uniform (aimed at assessing remote detonation detection capabilities). The first test, known as the Salmon Event, took place on October 22, 1964. It involved detonation of a 5.3 kiloton device at a depth of 2,700 feet (820 m).[2] The second test, known as the Sterling Event, took place on December 3, 1966 and involved detonation of a 380-ton device suspended in the cavity left by the previous test. Further non-nuclear explosive tests were later conducted in the remaining cavity as part of the related Project Miracle Play.

In October 2006, responsibility for the site was transferred to the US Department of Energy's Office of Legacy Management. A plaque mounted on a short stone pillar marks the site.

On Wednesday, December 15, 2010, the United States Department of Energy transferred the Salmon Site, or Tatum Salt Dome as it's more commonly known, back to the state of Mississippi. Mississippi Secretary of State Delbert Hosemann said in a press release that the majority of the 1,470 acres (590 ha) will be used for timber but an undetermined portion will be open for public access. Access to the Salmon Site had previously been restricted and monitored by the federal government since the tests were first conducted in 1964 and 1966.

I thought that was interesting.

Posted: 1/16/2017 2:44:28 PM EST

[#17]

Just stay away from Burpelson AFB and you'll be fine.

Posted: 1/16/2017 2:44:59 PM EST

[#18]

There are still some contaminated areas.

Occasionally the people get concerned when the military want to test bombs where previous nuclear tests have occured because it will throw up some radioactive dust.

We also have some naturally nasty soils here in nv.

If you're not digging or downwind of a testing range you should be allright.

Posted: 1/16/2017 2:49:35 PM EST

[#19]

Quote History

Quoted:
Hotspot? Lol. No.

Nowhere in the US will you get dangerous levels of radiation...short of wandering into a reactor or waste facility.

I mean, there are parts of the world that just have higher levels of background radiation, based on what is underground, altitude etc.

View Quote

This is correct.

Posted: 1/16/2017 2:52:30 PM EST

[#20]

The only place in the western hemisphere where you can stand inside a crater created by a nuclear weapon: Shot Faultless, at the defunct Central Nevada Test Site.

Posted: 1/16/2017 2:52:43 PM EST

[#21]

I say go for it.

However, if the hills have eyes, GTFO

Posted: 1/16/2017 2:56:01 PM EST

[#22]

Quote History

Quoted:
There's really nothing to worry about. Just don't go digging around the Project Gasbuggy site near Rifle, CO, and you'll be fine.

The National Atomic Museum in ABQ (they renamed it recently and I can't think of the name) does bus tours of the Nevada test site twice a year around the weekends when Trinity is open. Nuclear tourism is actually a thing.

View Quote

National Musem of Nuclear Science and History

Also the testing musem in vegas is pretty good. The one in ABQ is more about defense and delivery and the one in Vegas is about testing at NTS. Or you can spend a decade getting science degrees and a job that requires visits to NTS. Driving around NTS by yourself is pretty awesome, but somewhat terrifying as well. For scale, it takes about 2 hours to drive from one corner to the opposite corner.

Posted: 1/16/2017 3:01:56 PM EST

[#23]

Posted: 1/16/2017 3:03:09 PM EST

[#24]

Quote History

Quoted:
There's really nothing to worry about. Just don't go digging around the Project Gasbuggy site near Rifle, CO, and you'll be fine.

The National Atomic Museum in ABQ (they renamed it recently and I can't think of the name) does bus tours of the Nevada test site twice a year around the weekends when Trinity is open. Nuclear tourism is actually a thing.

View Quote

Negative. Gasbuggy took place in NM. Project Rio Blanco?

Posted: 1/16/2017 3:03:24 PM EST

[#25]

Quote History

Quoted:
There's really nothing to worry about. Just don't go digging around the Project Gasbuggy site near Rifle, CO, and you'll be fine.

The National Atomic Museum in ABQ (they renamed it recently and I can't think of the name) does bus tours of the Nevada test site twice a year around the weekends when Trinity is open. Nuclear tourism is actually a thing.

View Quote

The NAM is in albequerque, NM. The NTS is about 100 miles NW of Las Vegas NV. The DOE office/museum (I've never been there) does the NTS tours once a month. At least they did in 2002 when I was supposed to take a tour but missed it due to truck trouble outside of Area 51.

Posted: 1/16/2017 3:05:37 PM EST

[#26]

You can visit old nuke test areas with a geiger counter and find radioactive rocks etc. They aren't dangerous but still 30-40X the background radiation readings.

Posted: 1/16/2017 3:08:02 PM EST

[#27]

Ask John Wayne if it is possible.

Posted: 1/16/2017 3:16:53 PM EST

[#28]

Dr. Robert Pendleton, then a professor of biology at the University of Utah, is reported to have stated in 1980, "With these numbers, this case could qualify as an epidemic. The connection between fallout radiation and cancer in individual cases has been practically impossible to prove conclusively. But in a group this size you'd expect only 30-some cancers to develop. With 91 cancer cases, I think the tie-in to their exposure on the set of The Conqueror would hold up in a court of law."

Source:

Posted: 1/16/2017 3:18:51 PM EST

[#29]

Quote History

Quoted:
I have a very strong understand of how big it is out west, but I have a weak understanding of science

View Quote

Black Science Guy is disappointed.

Posted: 1/16/2017 3:22:11 PM EST

[#30]

I watched the word danger taken out of radiation warning signs in the late seventys on a government site when they sent the sign painters around to paint over the word danger on the radiation signs. I don't worry about it anymore now.

Posted: 1/16/2017 3:31:40 PM EST

[#31]

Born and raised in St George, lived here 30+ years now. Both of my parents also from the area have had cancer.

Posted: 1/16/2017 3:46:38 PM EST

[#32]

Much ado about nothing.

'Radiation' seems to scare the brown stuff out of people.

As a trained radiation worker we used to test parts for use on satellites.

We 'activated' integrated circuits so much with protons (made them radioactive0 they will not leave the cyclotron in my lifetime.

I still picked them up with my fingers and placed them in a metal film anti-static bag.
Hold them at arms length for as short a time as you can to place them behind the lead bricks in the 'cooling room.'
Never received a measurable dose on a dosimeter.

The whole world has a nice layer that can be detected in sediments if you want to look very carefully.

It ended up proving valuable for sediment accumulation rate measurements and calculations since we know exactly when it was deposited within a few years.

Denver has higher radiation since there is less atmosphere to shield the occupants than sea level cities.
Do not live at high altitude.

The Earth's magnetic field provides less shielding as you go further north.
Live closer to the equator.

A transcontinental airplane flight is nearly the equivalent of a modern chest x-ray.
Never fly at more than 10,000 ft or so.

The air lines lucked out when they let only older pilots fly the long distance polar type flights.
They will never live long enough to develop cancer from the radiation they received.
Pregnant stews are not allowed on the those flights.

Or you can realize that no one lives forever and around 40,000 people a year are killed driving there cars.

Posted: 1/16/2017 3:49:27 PM EST

[#33]

Quote History

Quoted:

Negative. Gasbuggy took place in NM. Project Rio Blanco?

View Quote

Yeah, I'm probably mixing them up. I loved Trinity & Beyond and its sequels.

Posted: 1/16/2017 3:52:19 PM EST

[#34]

Quote History

Quoted:

The NAM is in albequerque, NM. The NTS is about 100 miles NW of Las Vegas NV. The DOE office/museum (I've never been there) does the NTS tours once a month. At least they did in 2002 when I was supposed to take a tour but missed it due to truck trouble outside of Area 51.

View Quote View All Quotes

View All Quotes

Quote History

Quoted:

Quoted:
There's really nothing to worry about. Just don't go digging around the Project Gasbuggy site near Rifle, CO, and you'll be fine.

The National Atomic Museum in ABQ (they renamed it recently and I can't think of the name) does bus tours of the Nevada test site twice a year around the weekends when Trinity is open. Nuclear tourism is actually a thing.

The NAM is in albequerque, NM. The NTS is about 100 miles NW of Las Vegas NV. The DOE office/museum (I've never been there) does the NTS tours once a month. At least they did in 2002 when I was supposed to take a tour but missed it due to truck trouble outside of Area 51.

I went to Trinity & the NAM in 2001 and 2003 or 4, and I remember the bus tour offers. Yes, they left from ABQ to go to the NTS.

Posted: 1/16/2017 3:53:00 PM EST

[#35]

Looks like only California and Florida weren't affected. That must be where all the normal people are.

Posted: 1/16/2017 3:53:35 PM EST

[#36]

Quote History

Quoted:
Wyandotte County, Kansas 1958 - 1962.

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The Dotte always sucked just a little more than average.

Posted: 1/16/2017 3:56:19 PM EST

[#37]

Quote History

Quoted:
Just stay away from Burpelson AFB and you'll be fine.

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Place is on full lockdown, nobody gets in or out.

Posted: 1/16/2017 3:56:27 PM EST

[#38]

I imagine you're more likely to be exposed to radiation from radon in the water and being sucked into your home from the ground.

Posted: 1/16/2017 4:00:21 PM EST

[#39]

There are a number of places out west that will be hot until forever.

You're never getting close to them, for all sorts of good reasons.

Posted: 1/16/2017 4:06:15 PM EST

[#40]

Quote History

Quoted:

I went to Trinity & the NAM in 2001 and 2003 or 4, and I remember the bus tour offers. Yes, they left from ABQ to go to the NTS.

View Quote View All Quotes

View All Quotes

Quote History

Quoted:

Quoted:
There's really nothing to worry about. Just don't go digging around the Project Gasbuggy site near Rifle, CO, and you'll be fine.

The National Atomic Museum in ABQ (they renamed it recently and I can't think of the name) does bus tours of the Nevada test site twice a year around the weekends when Trinity is open. Nuclear tourism is actually a thing.

The NAM is in albequerque, NM. The NTS is about 100 miles NW of Las Vegas NV. The DOE office/museum (I've never been there) does the NTS tours once a month. At least they did in 2002 when I was supposed to take a tour but missed it due to truck trouble outside of Area 51.

I went to Trinity & the NAM in 2001 and 2003 or 4, and I remember the bus tour offers. Yes, they left from ABQ to go to the NTS.

Thats a 10hr drive.

Posted: 1/16/2017 4:09:31 PM EST

[#41]

Quote History

Quoted:
Dr. Robert Pendleton, then a professor of biology at the University of Utah, is reported to have stated in 1980, "With these numbers, this case could qualify as an epidemic. The connection between fallout radiation and cancer in individual cases has been practically impossible to prove conclusively. But in a group this size you'd expect only 30-some cancers to develop. With 91 cancer cases, I think the tie-in to their exposure on the set of The Conqueror would hold up in a court of law."

Source:

View Quote

I think watching that film might cause cancer.

And I'm a John Wayne fan!

Posted: 1/16/2017 4:10:13 PM EST

[#42]

I have met a few "downwinders." When they were still alive.

I had relatives in So. Utah and Nevada who remember watching mushroom clouds... Who were still alive in the 1980s.

From what I understand the threat to radiation is passed.

But all the downwinders in Utah, Nevada, Idaho, all die at around the same age from the same kinds of cancer.

Posted: 1/16/2017 4:11:28 PM EST

[#43]

Quote History

Quoted:
Much ado about nothing.

'Radiation' seems to scare the brown stuff out of people.....

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Be careful, there are many many people making quite a bit of money because of the inordinate fear of low levels of radiation.

Posted: 1/16/2017 4:12:00 PM EST

[#44]

I'd be more concerned about chemical weapons test sites.

Posted: 1/16/2017 4:12:00 PM EST

[#45]

check for yourself

Posted: 1/16/2017 4:15:48 PM EST

[#46]

There are other things that are probably more worth worrying about, for the general public.

Radioactivity is an issue, in some locations. Bigger problems? Mine tailings, dumped chemicals, and all kinds of other environmental hazards. You would be aghast to find out what is dumped out there, and without much at all in the way of warning signs or much of anything at all.

Friends of the family bought some remote land up behind the ranch their family has owned since the 1930s in Okanogan County. Come to find out, there was a jackleg uranium mine or some such bullshit on it, and the tailings pile from it was leaching a cocktail of chemicals into the watershed for their wells. They brought in a couple of companies to look at it all, and the consensus was they basically had something just short of a damn Superfund site, up there in the mountains. Huge mess, and I think the litigation is still going on.

Some of the oldtimers were less than careful about the crap they played with and left behind. Somewhere in California, there's an old gold mine that was just shut down in the 1880s-1890s. Guys went exploring in it, and found a bunch, not just one or two, but a bunch of carboys filled with mercury, most of which had leaked out and was likely contaminating the water table for some popular 4X4 trail camps.

Screw radiation, I'm worried more about that other shit.