grant to rubber , health , and health manager Elston “ Swede ” Stephenson , three 5 - congius containers of atomic number 92 ore were kept near a taxidermy exhibit at the Grand Canyon ’s Museum Collections Building for 18 years until they were discovered last year and quietly disposed of .
“ If you were in the Museum Collections Building ( 2C ) between the year 2000 and June 18 , 2018 , you were ‘ expose ’ to atomic number 92 by OSHA ’s definition , ” reportedly read the e-mail Stephenson sent to all Park Service employees on February 4 .
accord to the Arizona Republic , Stephenson ’s e-mail explained the uranium was in a park HQ basement for decade before it was moved to the museum building in 2000 . He write that the buckets were stored near a taxidermy showing that tours for tyke block at .
“ I ’ve never seen anything like this in my life story , ” Stephenson told the Arizona Republic . He told the newspaper that a teenaged Geiger retort enthusiast find the uranium ore in March 2018 and worker then moved the buckets somewhere else in the construction . Stephenson said he launch out about the U a few months by and by and reported it . Technicians allegedly came to the building several days after his call and postulate away the atomic number 92 - filled bucket with the aid of a wiped out mop and horticulture and dishwashing mitt . Stephenson included photos of this cognitive operation in a slideshow he made about the U issue , which was reviewed by the Arizona Republic .
Emily Davis , a spokesperson for Grand Canyon National Park , told Gizmodo in a statement that the National Park Service is coordinate with the Arizona Department of Health Services and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration ( OSHA ) for an probe into the matter .
OSHA did not straight off reply to a Gizmodo postulation for comment , but the agency affirm to the Arizona Republic that there is an probe .
According to Davis , recent exam showed that the museum collection quickness had actinotherapy levels that were similar to what is always present in the domain — stage that pose no risk for the world .
“ The NPS takes public and employee safety and the reply to allegations seriously , ” Davis ’ statement read . “ There is no current peril to the public or park employees . The museum accumulation facility is open and employee oeuvre routines have continued as normal . ”
Davis did not respond to Gizmodo ’s request for comment about the hazard the uranium ore posed to employees and tourists all the years it was allegedly stored at the facility .
[ Arizona Republic ]
Grand CanyonUranium
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