Found an abandoned missile silo..

[Shambles]

Ok did some research...

There was a firm hired in 02 to clean the site up. Dont know if stuff is still going on as far as a cleanup, but there was a cleanup effort that was started to remove the contaminated soil. My guess is those barrels that you found might have soil or something along those lines in them, as they look pretty damn new.

http://www.radomes.org/museum/recent/McGuireAFBBOMARCNJ.html

The pic with the fence and the burned buildings on the right, is that where your counter picked up readings?

Heres the arial photo. The white area has to be where they dug up the earth and paved it or something along those lines. Was that fenced off?

The building that im pointing to has to be the one that had the fire go off in it. Looks like the roof is collapsed and it has the heaviest damage.

Edit:

Ding! Im Right!

"#1 Following the explosion that occurred in 1960, paint was applied to the shelter and concrete was poured over the most heavily plutonium-contaminated portions of the asphalt apron and floor area of the shelter. An asphalt cover was placed in the drainage ditch that leads from the shelter to the nearby stream to impede erosion of contaminated soil. Access to the accident area is restricted by a 6-foot chain link fence topped with barbed wire."

If you are planning on going back be careful. McGuire AFB and Fort Dix are both still active installations .

 

[2-slow]

paint was applied to the shelter and concrete was poured over the most heavily plutonium-contaminated portions of the asphalt apron and floor area of the shelter.

Thats scary shit man so these guys were walking around a plutonium spill! Holy shit! :uh oh:

 

[2-slow]

Ok did some research also, you want to stear clear of the fenced off shelters with razor wire!

Plutonium fragments from the warhead were spread over an area surrounding the launcher.

Too risky!

 

[19Cobra95]

That arial shot makes it look like the place is right off the road? I thought it was way back in the woods?

 

[darkagentL]

Holy Crap! Great thread! I work in a powerhouse built in 1952. The similarities are amazing. We have these long dimly lit tunnels that go on forever. When you go down there on nightshift you are definitely thinking some Freddy,Jason,Michael Myers, Hellraiser, Phantasm type sh#t, it will definitely make you walk fast and keep looking over your shoulder! Be careful out there man, that 3 mile island crap doesn't play well with others.

 

[motoman991]

that is the most interesting thing i have ever seen on the internet, if that place was within 2 hours of me i would go check it out. we need more pictures of the place. but i think one of you guys should carry a gun or two incase you run into some crazy ass murderer or drug dealer.

 

[ndfrspd03cobra]

I'm a medic but this is not my expertise but I clicked a little info up for ya about aalpha rays


Not something you want to play with






Technical Topic Papers
Rocky Flats Public Exposure Studies

Plutonium

Rocky Flats workers machined or shaped "pits" or triggers for weapons from 1952 through 1989. The pits were then shipped to Texas to be assembled into nuclear weapons.

What is plutonium? Plutonium is a silvery-gray, radioactive metal named after the planet Pluto. It is essentially a man-made element discovered in 1940 after uranium-238 was bombarded with neutrons in a device called a cyclotron. Plutonium-239, as well as uranium-235 and uranium-233, are among the few materials whose atoms can be split (or "fissioned") to create a nuclear explosion, which releases massive amounts of energy instantly.

How is it used? Plutonium is used in the manufacture of nuclear weapons. It was first made in significant quantities during the World War II Manhattan Project in the 1940s. Plutonium can also be used as a fuel in certain types of nuclear reactors where the fission process is controlled so that large quantities of energy are released more slowly to make steam and produce electricity. The split plutonium atoms become lighter elements such as cesium-137 and strontium-90, many of which are highly radioactive. These "fission products" are radioactive waste, although some are useful for nuclear medicine and other purposes.

The radioactivity level of an isotope such as plutonium is determined by its half-life, which is the time it takes for half of an original quantity to decay. the half-life of plutonium-239 is about 24,000 years.


What are the problems with handling plutonium? Plutonium metal is difficult to handle and store safely, because it is radioactive and "pyrophoric" meaning it oxidizes and can become very hot when exposed to air. It can ignite nearby flammable materials, causing fires that can result in plutonium exposure of workers and the public. In addition, workers must avoid storing more than a few pounds in close proximity to prevent runaway fission, an uncontrolled nuclear chain reaction. Such a reaction’s burst of energy, known as a "criticality event," would not become a nuclear explosion, but could release radiation very dangerous to nearby workers. Such an event can also result in uncontrolled releases of both plutonium and fission products to the environment.

How was plutonium used at the former Rocky Flats Nuclear Weapons Plant? Plutonium was created in nuclear reactors in Hanford, Washington, and the Savannah River Site, South Carolina. It is then shipped to the Rocky Flats Plant northwest of Denver, Colorado for use in the manufacture of nuclear weapons components. Rocky Flats workers machined or shaped "pits" or triggers for weapons from 1952 through 1989. The pits were then shipped to Texas to be assembled into nuclear weapons. After weapons production ceased, about 14.2 U.S. tons of plutonium were left at Rocky Flats, now known as the Rocky Flats Environmental Technology Site. The site is currently undergoing cleanup and closure.

What caused plutonium releases from Rocky Flats? Some plutonium particles were released into the environment through roof vents and stacks during routine nuclear weapons production activities. Plutonium was also released during industrial fires in 1957 and 1969, and some was released through wastewater discharges into holding ponds and creeks that flowed off the site. More than 5,000 barrels of contaminated waste oil and solvents stored outdoors at the Rocky Flats 903 Area leaked onto the soil beginning in the late 1950s. The barrels were removed in the late 1960s, exposing the soil to the elements. Windstorms blew the plutonium-contaminated soil particles into the air and off-site. Resuspension of these particles is ongoing. The contaminated 903 Area was covered with asphalt in 1969. Soil sampling around the Rocky Flats Plant has shown that the area east and southeast of the plant has the highest plutonium levels. This contamination is the result of the routine releases, the fires and the 903 Area spill.

Where can plutonium be found in the environment? Before 1945, plutonium was virtually nonexistent in the human environment. Then in the 1950s and 1960s, plutonium was released into the environment during atmospheric testing of nuclear weapons. Plutonium can now be found in very small amounts in the soil throughout the Northern Hemisphere because of fallout from the atmospheric testing. Plutonium has also been found in soil near nuclear weapons production plants such as Rocky Flats due to accidents and spills.

Why is plutonium a problem in the environment? Plutonium remains radioactive in the environment for a very long time. Plutonium decays by releasing small amounts of energy through fast-moving alpha particles. The radioactivity level of an isotope such as plutonium is determined by its half-life, which is the time it takes for half of an original quantity to decay. The half-life of plutonium-239 is about 24,000 years.

What happens to plutonium in the environment? Plutonium particles may be released to the air where people may inhale them, or the particles may deposit on soil, plants and water. The plutonium particles landing on soil either attach to clays or stay near the soil surface where winds can pick them up and redistribute them. Plutonium particles can deposit on plants, but are not readily absorbed by the roots into the plants. Plutonium is usually insoluble in water, so plutonium particles that land on lakes and streams usually settle to the bottom in the sediment.

How are people exposed to plutonium? Members of the public living or working near nuclear weapons production plants can be exposed when equipment fails, accidents happen or mistakes are made, causing releases that move off the plant site through the air or in water. Plutonium particles in the air can deposit on the soil, where adults or children may work or play, or on water, which may be a source for drinking, irrigation of crops or recreation. Particles can also deposit on vegetables or on grass eaten by cows that may later provide milk and meat for human consumption.

Why is plutonium a human concern? Plutonium emits alpha radiation and low-energy x-rays, which are easily absorbed by tissue. The alpha radiation travels only about a quarter of an inch in air and cannot penetrate the skin. Therefore, if plutonium remains outside the body, it is generally not harmful. Plutonium is very toxic if it enters into the body because the alpha radiation can damage living tissue. The larger the "dose" in the body, the greater the toxicity.
Human exposure occurs mainly by breathing contaminated air or ingesting contaminated food or drink. Breathing is generally the route of most concern. When plutonium particles are inhaled and lodge in lung tissue, they continue to give off radiation internally. They can remain in the lungs or enter the gastrointestinal tract and the bloodstream. About 80 percent of the plutonium that enters the bloodstream goes either to the liver, bone or bone marrow, where it is retained for years, damaging tissue nearby. That damage may later develop into cancer. Common forms of plutonium do not dissolve significantly in water or body fluids, so little ingested material is actually absorbed into the blood from the gastrointestinal tract.


How do scientists estimate human health risks from low-level exposure to plutonium? A great deal of research has been performed on the effects of radiation exposures at higher concentrations. However, little information is available for low doses of plutonium. Relatively few such exposures have been documented, with little solid evidence of effects. New information on exposures of Russian nuclear weapons plant workers has helped in developing better risk estimates for plutonium exposures. To estimate the risks of developing cancer from exposure to plutonium, the researchers conducting the Historical Public Exposures Studies on Rocky Flats used four independent sets of data:
1) Results of studies of Russian workers exposed to plutonium at the Mayak weapons plant, a production facility similar to Rocky Flats;

2) Data from populations exposed to other alpha-emitting radioactive materials such as radium, radon and thorium;

3) Data from Japanese World War II atomic bomb survivors exposed briefly to high levels of the gamma and neutron radiation from the atomic explosions; and

4) Results of controlled experiments on animals exposed to plutonium and other alpha-emitting materials.

Based on this information, the researchers developed revised estimates of the risks associated with plutonium exposure. (See the technical report Assessing Risks of Exposure to Plutonium prepared by Radiological Assessments Corporation for the Historical Public Exposures Studies on Rocky Flats in February 1999.) Because plutonium is retained in the lung, liver, bone and bone marrow, rather than in the reproductive organs, genetic risks are not the primary risks from plutonium.


Can an individual's exposure to plutonium be measured externally or internally? A person’s plutonium exposure cannot be measured from outside the body, although estimates can sometimes be made by measuring radiation from other materials deposited along with the plutonium. Urine or fecal samples can be analyzed for plutonium, primarily to evaluate the magnitude of known or suspected intakes. These methods are difficult to interpret when multiple intakes have occurred and because very little deposited plutonium leaves the body.

Are there standards for worker and public exposure to plutonium? The International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) and the National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurement have had standards for public and worker protection from radiation for more than 45 years. The ICRP standards have changed several times over the past 45 years to reflect new data and understanding of hazards from plutonium. In addition, the current philosophy of radiation protection is to keep radiation exposures as low as is reasonably achievable. Efforts are made to protect workers in occupations involving exposure to radioactive materials by limiting that exposure with appropriate methods and equipment. Efforts are made to protect the public by minimizing radioactive releases to the off-site environment.

Where can I get more information about cancer risks from Rocky Flats? Information about cancer risks from plutonium and other contaminants released from Rocky Flats from 1952 to 1989 is available in the Final Summary Report on the Historical Public Exposures Studies on Rocky Flats. See the project web site at www.cdphe.state.co.us/rf or call (303) 692-2700.

Technical Issues Focused on During the Exposures Studies

Assessing Health Risks from Nuclear Facilities Estimating Plutonium Releases from Unmonitored Sources at Rocky Flats
Exposure Pathways Source Term Estimates
Quality Assurance for the Health Studies on Rocky Flats Research on Adverse Health Effects Related to Rocky Flats
Risk to Human Health and the Environment Movement of Contaminated Groundwater from Rocky Flats
Uncertainty in Analyzing Health Risks Verifying Historical Data
Contaminants Released to Surface Water from Rocky Flats Plutonium Health Risks

This series of Technical Topic papers explains the research design, methods and terminology used in the State of Colorado's Historical Public Exposures Studies related to the Rocky Flats Environmental Technology Site. The purpose of the project was to identify past contaminant releases from the plant and assess potential health risks to the community. For more information, visit the project web site at www.cdphe.state.co.us/rf/pubexposhome.asp or call 303-692-2700.



Again good luck and If I were you I would steer clear,there is a reason they don't want you there!!!!

 

[RidnRodsLightng]

Anyone see any simiarties between these pictures and "The Hills Have Eyes"....I'm just waiting for this guy to come back with some REAL pictures of what plutonium and radiation can do to a person!

 

[RidnRodsLightng]

12,687 views....i have a feeling that whoever is hosting the website that we all keep referring back to is going to catch on soon....be careful out there, they may be waiting for you next time.

 

[mustanginky]

don't ever watch the hills have eyes....

 

[TERMIN8DNOMORE]

that movie was straight up disturbing.

 

[BLK03SVT10TH]

I found this little tidbit of info on the accident.


Accident Description


Table 5-1: U.S.Nuclear Weapons Accidents, 1950-1980

June 7, 1960 / BOMARC / McGuire AFB, New Jersey
A BOMARC air defense missile in ready storage condition
(permitting launch in two minutes) was destroyed by explosion and
fire after a high-pressure helium tank exploded and ruptured the
missile's fuel tanks. The warhead was also destroyed by the fire
although the high explosive did not detonate . Nuclear safety
devices acted as designed. Contamination was restricted to an
area immediately beneath the weapon and an adjacent elongated area
approximately 100 feet long, caused by drainoff of firefighting
water. (p. 228)

------------------------------------------------------------------

The fission nuclear warhead would likely have been the W-40.
17.9" dia. 31.64" long; ~350 lbs.
(with arming and fuzing systems); 7-10 kt.

Alternately it could have been the temporary enhanced yield
(boosted?) XW-25; < 1,4" dia.; 219 lbs.
(stock: 1.5 kt Genie rocket warhead).

------------------------------------------------------------------

 

[BLK03SVT10TH]

Here is another story about the accident.

BOMARC cleanup to begin
Radioactive waste at
Plumsted site will be
taken to Utah
By cindy tietjen
Staff Writer


PLUMSTED — Forty-two years after a nuclear warhead caught fire and leaked plutonium in Plumsted, a cleanup of the site is finally scheduled to begin this month.

On June 7, 1960, a fire destroyed a nuclear warhead-equipped missile in Shelter 204 at the Boeing Michigan Aeronautical Research Center (BOMARC) facility. Although no nuclear explosion took place, the fire badly damaged the missile and the shelter, according to information provided by military officials.

The accident released plutonium, a radioactive material, into the environment. Heat from the fire and fire-suppression activities aided dispersion of plutonium over a 7-acre area in front of the shelter, along a drainage ditch and a portion of a drainage creek near Route 539.

It was reported that the U.S. Air Force immediately implemented measures to protect people and the environment. Those measures included washing down the shelter and apron area, spray-painting inside and outside the shelter to affix contamination and pouring a protective layer of 4 inches of reinforced concrete over the asphalt apron in front of Shelter 204 to immobilize the plutonium contamination.

In addition, 2 inches of asphalt was placed along the bottom of the drainage ditch inside the boundary fence. In 1967, an additional 2 inches of concrete was added to the small portion of the apron covering the manhole access to communication and power pits.

Now, more than four decades later, the area covered in concrete and asphalt will be ripped up and the contaminated soil will be removed and transported to a Utah waste site.

According to information obtained from the McGuire Air Force Base Internet Web site, the total cost of the cleanup project is $9.6 million. The Air Force provides the funding to the Army Headquarters Operations Support Command, the executive agent for radioactive waste, which awarded the contracts.

Duratek Inc. will clean up and transport the waste. A separate disposal contract was awarded to Envirocare in Utah. Other costs associated with the project are $500,000 to Lakehurst for construction of a new commercial gate and road.

According to the Web site, the BOMARC waste is Class A, low-level radioactive waste, the lowest of the three levels of low-level radioactive waste. Despite that fact, officials in Plumsted and neighboring towns were concerned about the safety of the cleanup process.

Officials have said that approximately 800 truckloads of material will be transported through a reactivated rail line from the Fort Dix accident site to a rail line on the base of the Lakehurst Naval Air Engineering Station.

A section of Route 547 in the Lakehurst section of Manchester Township was closed by the Air Force last week so that repairs could be made to the Lakehurst rail line.

BOMARC was a Cold War-era Air Force nuclear missile site. The missiles were supersonic ground-to-air weapons designed to destroy attacking aircraft and airborne missiles. The facility in rural Plumsted was one of eight located around the country. The Air Force operated the Plumsted facility from 1959-72.

According to the McGuire Web site, the cleanup is expected to be complete by September or October.

 

[RichM1983]

That place isnt 3 miles in the woods. Theres a road right beside it. There are actually cars on the rood on the picture from google earth. Its only like 350 yards from the road to the center of the place. Its still really cool though. I wish I lived near there.

 

[01_OXFORD_SVT]

Damn dude, you shoulda checked out those papers on the floor to see if it said anything.. That place is definitly the shiz.. I might take a field trip this summer.. Somebody holla, I dont wanna go by myself..

 

[AcE XBOX]

I read the entire thread LOL! Oh well, im getting paid hehe.

Awesome pictures. Now im gonna break into a haunted house and record!

 

[MAXX RS4]

Damn dude, you shoulda checked out those papers on the floor to see if it said anything.. That place is definitly the shiz.. I might take a field trip this summer.. Somebody holla, I dont wanna go by myself..

I did, they were blueprints and schematics.. Didn't take pics because I don't want any records of that stuff..

 

[2-slow]

That place isnt 3 miles in the woods. Theres a road right beside it. There are actually cars on the rood on the picture from google earth. Its only like 350 yards from the road to the center of the place. Its still really cool though. I wish I lived near there.

I thought they said it was a runway :shrug:

 

[4camwonder]

this is cool as shit man, i might have to make a road trip.

 

[01_OXFORD_SVT]

this is cool as shit man, i might have to make a road trip.

You sir, have the right idea.. Im forreal, let me know and this can happen.. :banana: