SSFL Accidents

OFf to a bad start

In the 1940s the Atomic Energy Commission needed a site for their lab that wasn’t close to the city, a “field” lab. They knew their dangerous experiments needed to be done in an area where people wouldn’t get hurt if there was any kind of nuclear accident. They conducted a General Reactor Site Survey to pick the safest spot.

Even though the SSFL was 5th out of 6th for meteorological characteristics (the winds could blow contamination toward populated areas) it was chosen because it was closest to the universities and the scientists didn’t want to drive as far to a safer location.

Sodium Reactor Experiment (SRE), building 4143

Atomics International, a division of North American Aviation, used Area IV for the Sodium Reactor Experiment (SRE). The SRE operated at the site from 1957 to 1964, the reactor was removed in 1981 and the building torn down in 1999.

On July 12, 1959 thirteen of forty-three fuel rods in the SRE reactor core failed due to overheating. You can read the details about the SRE meltdown in Dr. Lochbaum’s Report.

According to eyewitness John Pace, in order to prevent an explosion the workers were told to vent the radioactive gasses into the open air. According to an analysis of a five-year study by a panel of independent scientists, the SRE accident spit out up to 459 times the amount of radiation released during the 1979 meltdown at Three Mile Island.

other nuclear meltdowns

1959: L-85/AE-6 REACTOR, BUILDING 0931

  • The AE6 reactor experienced a release of fission gases.

1964: SNAP8 Experimental REACTOR, BUILDING 057

  • The SNAP8ER experienced damage to 80% of its fuel.

1969: SNAP8 Development Reactor, BUILDING 057

  • Experienced damage to a third of its fuel

Nuclear accidents

plutonium fuel fabrication facility, building 0551 

uranium carbide fuel fabrication facility, building 005

Hot Lab building 202

explosions

SSFL Worker shooting barrels of contamination with high power rifles.

SSFL Worker shooting barrels of contamination with high power rifles.

On December 11, 2002, a Department of Energy (DOE) official, Mike Lopez, described typical clean-up procedures executed by Field Lab employees in the past. Workers would dispose of barrels filled with highly toxic waste by shooting the barrels with rifles so that they would explode and release their contents into the air. It is unclear when this process ended, but for certain did end prior to the 1990s.

On July 26, 1994, two SSFL scientists, Otto K. Heiney, of Canoga Park, and physicist Larry Pugh, of Thousand Oaks, were killed when the chemicals they were illegally burning in open pits exploded. Lee Wells, an eyewitness to the explosion, suffered second and third degree burns. After a grand jury investigation and FBI raid on the facility, three Rocketdyne officials pleaded guilty in June 2004 to illegally storing explosive materials. The jury deadlocked on the more serious charges related to illegal burning of hazardous waste.

Los Angeles Times, 1996: Rockwell Faces U.S. Charges in Lab Deaths

Los Angeles Times, 2003: Scientist Fined $100 in Lab Blast That Killed 2

Los Angeles Times, 2003: Executive Sentenced in '94 Blast 

Los Angeles Times, 2002: Ex-Rocketdyne Worker Describes Fatal 1994 Blast