The Missouri Concrete Radiactive Dome is a structure located in St. Louis County, Missouri, USA. The dome is a remnant of the Manhattan Project, which was a research and development project that produced the first atomic bombs during World War II. The dome was built in the 1940s and was used to store radioactive waste generated during the production of nuclear weapons.
Construction of the Dome
The construction of the Missouri Concrete Radiactive Dome began in 1942, during the Manhattan Project. The project was a top-secret government research and development program that was tasked with producing the first atomic bombs. The dome was built to store the radioactive waste generated during the production of nuclear weapons.
The dome is made of concrete and is approximately 45 feet tall and 90 feet in diameter. The dome was designed to hold 8,000 tons of radioactive waste, which was stored in barrels inside the dome. The dome was built on the site of a former quarry, which provided a natural barrier between the radioactive waste and the surrounding environment.
Operation of the Dome
The Missouri Concrete Radiactive Dome was operated by the United States Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) from 1943 to 1974. During this time, the dome was used to store radioactive waste generated by the Mallinckrodt Chemical Works, which was a contractor for the Manhattan Project. The waste was transported to the dome by truck and train and was stored in barrels inside the dome.
In 1974, the AEC transferred responsibility for the dome to the Department of Energy (DOE). The DOE continued to operate the dome until 1994, when it was determined that the site was contaminated with radioactive waste and posed a threat to the environment and public health.
Controversy Surrounding the Dome
The Missouri Concrete Radiactive Dome has been the subject of controversy for many years. In the 1980s, it was discovered that radioactive waste was leaking from the dome and contaminating the surrounding environment. The contamination was found to be spreading through groundwater and into nearby streams and rivers.
The contamination caused concern among local residents and led to the formation of the West Lake Landfill Superfund Site, which is a program established by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to clean up hazardous waste sites. The West Lake Landfill Superfund Site includes the Missouri Concrete Radiactive Dome and is one of the most contaminated sites in the United States.
Cleanup Efforts
The cleanup of the Missouri Concrete Radiactive Dome and the surrounding area has been a long and difficult process. The site is highly contaminated with radioactive waste, which makes cleanup efforts complicated and dangerous.
In 2018, the EPA announced a plan to clean up the West Lake Landfill Superfund Site. The plan includes the excavation and removal of the radioactive waste from the site. The cleanup is expected to take several years and cost billions of dollars.
Conclusion
The Missouri Concrete Radiactive Dome is a reminder of the dangers of nuclear waste and the importance of responsible management of hazardous materials. The contamination caused by the dome has had a significant impact on the environment and the health of local residents.
The cleanup of the West Lake Landfill Superfund Site is a step towards addressing the problem, but it is clear that more needs to be done to prevent similar incidents in the future. The Missouri Concrete Radiactive Dome serves as a cautionary tale and a call to action for responsible management of hazardous materials.