Demand Barnwell answers

Radioactive waste is inherently dangerous stuff, which is why the disposal site in Barnwell is carefully monitored for leaks that could contaminate groundwater. Why, then, haven't state environmental officials taken a more active role in sounding the alarm about excessive levels of tritium found extensively around the site?

That's a question Attorney General Henry McMaster is asking in view of the recent revelations about waste contamination there. Mr. McMaster also is trying to determine who is liable for the violations. Presumably, that will help determine who should be responsible for the necessary mitigation and site improvements.

The State newspaper reported that tritium levels exceeded federal safe drinking water standards in a third of the 98 monitoring wells. In some instances the levels were hundreds of times more than allowable, and greater than those monitored at the Savannah River Site.

Several members of the House Committee on Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs expressed surprise to learn of the contamination levels. Last legislative session, the committee considered a proposal to extend the site's acceptance of waste from all states. Fortunately, that proposal, touted by Barnwell officials and Chem-Nuclear representatives, failed to get approval. But why were legislators kept in the dark about contamination levels while they were discussing whether the flow of waste should be maintained?

The site is scheduled to be closed to all waste except that from members of a three-state compact — South Carolina, New Jersey and Connecticut — at the end of the year. In view of the recent revelations about contamination, the state should consider closing the dump altogether until Mr. McMaster gets some answers.

South Carolina long has served as a dumping ground for toxic waste from the around the nation, while state residents were assured there was no need to worry.

For 36 years, South Carolina has allowed radioactive waste disposal at the Barnwell site — a service that only a few states have been willing to provide. South Carolina shouldn't have to sustain unsafe levels of contamination as a result of the dump's operation.

Mr. McMaster has begun asking the hard questions about public health and safety associated with the operation of the Barnwell nuclear waste site — and about the extent to which DHEC has been providing the necessary attention and public disclosure. The state deserves a full explanation and corrective action.