False Radiological Alarm at WIPP Triggered by Malfunctioning Monitor

A malfunctioning continuous air monitor set off a false radiological alarm in the WIPP underground yesterday, according to the Department of Energy. “Technicians wearing appropriate personnel protective equipment, entered the underground, performed radiological surveys, collected additional air monitoring data and examined the CAM before declaring it a false alarm,” states a DOE release. “As a precautionary measure, all WIPP personnel were evacuated from the underground when the initial alarm was received. Personnel exiting the underground were surveyed by Rad Con Technicians and found to be free of any radiological contamination.”