Subj: Radioactive Runoff Reported Near Los Alamos Lab
Date: 7/20/00 3:58:23 AM Pacific Daylight Time

Jul 19, 2000 - 09:48 PM

Radioactive Runoff Reported Near Los Alamos Lab

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) - Scientists have reported radioactive storm runoff
in a fire-denuded area above the Los Alamos nuclear laboratory.

The first significant thunderstorm to hit Los Alamos after a fire burned
through the area this spring flushed higher-than-average levels of
radiation down Los Alamos Canyon early last month, the lab reported
Tuesday.

It's not water used for drinking, lab officials said.

Preliminary, uncorroborated data suggest the storm moved plutonium,
cesium-137, strontium-90 and other contaminants - still within allowable
health standards. But in areas of the canyon, overall combined
radioactivity rose above levels that would trigger a cleanup of drinking
water - if drinking water were at issue.

A team of state, lab and University of New Mexico officials are about to
begin sampling storm runoff around Los Alamos.