Over 50 Years After Dyess Plane Crash, Soil Is Now Free of Radioactive Materials
By: Marlisa Goldsmith
Updated: June 22, 2012
On November 4, 1958, a B-47 carrying a nuclear bomb, caught on fire while taking off from Dyess Air Force Base and crashed into a field near Highway 277.
Following the crash, radioactive materials were dispersed.
2010 was the first time scientists visited the field to do extensive survey work.
"This nuclear weapon had radioactive uranium in it as well as lead and as a result of the explosive action these two contaminants, the uranium and lead were spread to the environment," says Dr. Steven E. Rademacher, Chief of Radioactive Materials Licensing and Safety of the Air Force Safety Center.
Dr. Rademacher says the levels of those materials did not present a major problem, however the Air Force wanted to take extra precaution.
He explains, "We took a prudent effort, we thought it was appropriate from a precautionary standpoint to remove additional contamination to make this sit acceptable for any future use."
Which is why the group returned to the site in August of 2011.
Dr. Rademacher says, "We completed the removal of approximately 17 cubic yards of contaminated soil."
Officials say the contaminated soil contained amounts of uranium and lead so small they could be measured in grams.
"Levels are below EPA recommended values for safety for human health," Rademacher adds.
Now more than 50 years later, officials say, we are in the clear. All the contaminated soil has been excavated.
"We do believe that over the last 50 years the contamination levels were safe but we did remove contamination to allow the site to be used safely for any public use in the future," says Dr. Rademacher.
Following the crash, radioactive materials were dispersed.
2010 was the first time scientists visited the field to do extensive survey work.
"This nuclear weapon had radioactive uranium in it as well as lead and as a result of the explosive action these two contaminants, the uranium and lead were spread to the environment," says Dr. Steven E. Rademacher, Chief of Radioactive Materials Licensing and Safety of the Air Force Safety Center.
Dr. Rademacher says the levels of those materials did not present a major problem, however the Air Force wanted to take extra precaution.
He explains, "We took a prudent effort, we thought it was appropriate from a precautionary standpoint to remove additional contamination to make this sit acceptable for any future use."
Which is why the group returned to the site in August of 2011.
Dr. Rademacher says, "We completed the removal of approximately 17 cubic yards of contaminated soil."
Officials say the contaminated soil contained amounts of uranium and lead so small they could be measured in grams.
"Levels are below EPA recommended values for safety for human health," Rademacher adds.
Now more than 50 years later, officials say, we are in the clear. All the contaminated soil has been excavated.
"We do believe that over the last 50 years the contamination levels were safe but we did remove contamination to allow the site to be used safely for any public use in the future," says Dr. Rademacher.
