The Unseen Legacy
Ohio Atomic Press Investigative Report – Luckey Site, Ohio
Overview
The Luckey Site in Wood County, Ohio, is a former industrial complex integral to the U.S. nuclear program. From World War II magnesium production to Cold War beryllium manufacturing and subsequent industrial reuse, decades of toxic contamination were left behind. Despite a 2025 "all safe" declaration by the Ohio EPA, independent investigations reveal a far grimmer reality.
Site History: 80 Years of Use & Contamination
1942–1945: The Magnesium Years
In 1942, the government seized farmland in Luckey to build a facility for producing magnesium alloys, essential for the Manhattan Project. These alloys were critical for aircraft and munitions during World War II.
1946–1960: Beryllium Production & Nuclear Weaponry
Following WWII, the site was repurposed for beryllium production under Brush Beryllium Co. Beryllium components played a key role in nuclear weapons and missile systems. Radioactive scrap was dumped on-site in the early 1950s and never removed.
1961–1992: Industrial Reuse & Neglected Toxins
The facility later hosted various industries—from foam manufacturing to plastics processing— during which much of the chemical and radioactive residue was ignored.
1992: FUSRAP Designation
The site was formally designated under the Formerly Utilized Sites Remedial Action Program (FUSRAP). Cleanup efforts focused only on a few select contaminants, leaving PCB's, asbestos, PAHs, and other toxins unremediated.
2018–2025: Partial Remediation & Controversial Safety Declarations
Remediation efforts began in 2018, yet significant contamination remains. In May 2025, despite media reports of elevated radiation—including independently detected Cobalt-60—the Ohio EPA declared the groundwater “safe.”
Contaminant Levels vs. Health Limits
Contaminant Category Breakdown
Timeline of Contamination & Remediation
The Magnesium Years
Land seized and facility built to produce magnesium alloys for the Manhattan Project.
Beryllium Production & Nuclear Weaponry
The site produced beryllium for nuclear arms. Radioactive scrap was stored on-site, contributing to long-term contamination.
Industrial Reuse
The facility hosted various industries while toxic residues from earlier operations went largely unaddressed.
FUSRAP Designation
The site was designated for remediation under FUSRAP, though cleanup was limited to only a few contaminants.
Partial Remediation & Safety Claims
Cleanup efforts began in 2018; however, in 2025 the Ohio EPA declared the water “safe” despite independent evidence of further contamination.
Lab & Oversight Failures
- Samples mishandled and chains of custody broken.
- Quality control failures led to duplicate sample errors and misidentified radionuclides.
- No detection of Cobalt-60 was found in EPA testing despite independent evidence.
- Reliance on outdated MCLs ignored cumulative, long-term exposure risks.
Health Consequences of Detected Toxins
- Uranium: May cause kidney damage, fibrosis, and increased lung cancer risk.
- Radium-226: Linked to bone cancer, cataracts, and systemic radiation exposure.
- Lead: No safe exposure level – causes neurological damage and developmental delays.
- Manganese: Associated with tremors, memory loss, and cognitive issues.
- Cobalt-60: Radioactive decay causes DNA damage and endocrine disruption.
Conclusion: Demand Transparency and Accountability
The Ohio EPA’s declarations of safe drinking water are at odds with decades of documented contamination, lab failures, and independent investigations. Full, comprehensive testing—including for Cobalt-60, PCBs, PAHs, and asbestos— alongside independent oversight and stricter standards, is imperative to safeguard public health.
