LISTEN TO THE PODCAST | HALEU Hazard, Unpacking the Risks of Next-Gen Nuclear Fuel
The American Centrifuge Program at the Portsmouth Gaseous Diffusion Plant (PORTS), operated by American Centrifuge Operating, LLC (a Centrus Energy Corp. subsidiary), continues to discharge radioactive materials into the environment. According to the Q1 2025 Radiological Discharge Monitoring Report, submitted to the Ohio EPA, both Outfall 012 (Southwest Holding Pond) and Outfall 013 (West Holding Pond) show repeated detections of beta emitters, uranium, and in one case, elevated alpha radiation.
This is not ancient history — this is happening right now, in 2025. Despite being a site of known contamination and controversy, radioactive effluent is still being discharged under the guise of regulatory compliance. Our communities continue to bear the brunt of a nuclear experiment gone rogue.
Highlights from the Q1 2025 Data:
Outfall 012 – Southwest Holding Pond (X-2230M):
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January 28: Detected Alpha Radiation at 2.33 pCi/L – an anomaly among zeroes, raising questions of episodic release.
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Beta Radiation spiked repeatedly:
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January 28: 9.41 pCi/L
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January 13: 8.45 pCi/L
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Multiple weeks above 4.0 pCi/L
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Uranium levels ranged from 0.64 to 3.38 µg/L throughout the quarter.
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Transuranic elements (plutonium, neptunium, americium): No detections on March 3 — but no other dates were sampled.
Outfall 013 – West Holding Pond (X-2230N):
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February 24: Alpha Radiation spike at 15.3 pCi/L – a dangerous level given alpha’s extreme risk if ingested or inhaled.
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Beta Radiation peaked at 11.3 pCi/L the same day.
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Uranium levels reached up to 1.85 µg/L.
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Transuranics were not detected — but again, only one sampling date included them.
What’s in the Water?
Let’s be clear: alpha and beta radiation aren’t just numbers on a spreadsheet. They’re dangerous — especially when discharged into waterways that impact wildlife, sediment, and people.
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Alpha radiation is extremely toxic when ingested, capable of causing cellular damage.
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Beta particles can penetrate the skin and raise long-term cancer risks.
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Uranium is both a chemical and radiological toxin — harmful to kidneys, bones, and aquatic ecosystems.
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The inconsistent testing for transuranics is a red flag. If they aren’t testing consistently, they aren’t protecting anyone.
Why This Matters:
Centrus and DOE like to say contamination at PORTS is a thing of the past. This report proves otherwise. Radioactive discharge is ongoing and underreported. Just because levels fall under regulatory thresholds doesn’t mean they’re safe — especially when you consider cumulative exposure, historical contamination, and lack of transparency.
This is in the heart of the Scioto Valley — where cancer clusters, rare diseases, and environmental devastation are more than just anecdotal. They are a way of life.
Fueling Uncertainty
A critical examination of Centrus Energy's push for High-Assay, Low-Enriched Uranium (HALEU) reveals a landscape of under-addressed risks to public health, environmental safety, and global security. This is the story the "clean energy" narrative leaves out.
The HALEU Dilemma
This section introduces High-Assay, Low-Enriched Uranium (HALEU) and the central conflict it presents. While promoted as the fuel for next-generation reactors, its higher enrichment levels create significant dangers that challenge its "safe and clean" branding.
What is HALEU?
High-Assay, Low-Enriched Uranium is nuclear fuel enriched to between 5% and 20% Uranium-235. This is significantly higher than traditional fuel (under 5%) and dangerously close to weapons-grade material (above 20%).
The Promise
Proponents claim HALEU enables smaller, more efficient advanced nuclear reactors, positioning it as a key to a carbon-free energy future.
The Peril
This higher enrichment creates a "dual-use dilemma." The very properties that make HALEU desirable for reactors also make it a more potent and accessible material for nuclear weapons.
Enrichment Spectrum
HALEU significantly closes the gap between peaceful nuclear fuel and material suitable for a nuclear weapon.
Piketon Discharge Analysis
This interactive dashboard visualizes the Q1 2025 radiological discharge data from Centrus's Piketon facility, as reported to the Ohio EPA. The data reveals concerning trends and highlights significant gaps in monitoring. Use the controls to explore the data from the two holding ponds (outfalls) and select different radioactive contaminants.
Key Findings from the Data
Alpha Spike Detected
On Feb 24, 2025, Outfall 013 recorded an Alpha particle concentration of 15.3 pCi/L, exceeding the EPA's drinking water limit of 15 pCi/L. This indicates a potentially significant, unaddressed release event.
Insufficient Transuranic Monitoring
Data for highly toxic transuranics (Plutonium, Americium) was reported for only one single day in the entire quarter. This infrequent monitoring makes it impossible to track continuous or intermittent releases of the most dangerous long-lived radionuclides.
Unpacking the Perils of HALEU
The risks of HALEU extend far beyond routine discharges. This section explores three critical danger zones: its potential use in nuclear weapons, the severe consequences of accidents, and the unresolved challenge of its radioactive waste. Use the tabs below to navigate through each critical risk area.
A Shortened Path to Nuclear Weapons
The most alarming risk of HALEU is that it dramatically simplifies the process of creating weapons-grade uranium. Some experts warn that HALEU above 12% enrichment can be used directly to make a nuclear weapon, blurring the line between peaceful and military nuclear programs and shortening the "breakout time" for a nation to develop a bomb.
Enrichment Effort Comparison
Requires immense industrial effort
Requires significantly less effort
The Illusion of Safety
This section details the critical regulatory failures identified in the watchdog report. Despite official assurances of safety, a closer look reveals a system characterized by data gaps, a lack of transparency, and weak enforcement, creating an illusion of safety while public and environmental health are at risk.
Data Gaps & Reactive Rules
Regulators (NRC/DOE) admit to ongoing efforts to develop foundational criticality safety data for HALEU, proving the safety case is not fully understood even as commercialization proceeds.
Lack of Transparency
Radiological discharge limits are not explicitly public. They are buried in complex licenses, making independent oversight and public accountability nearly impossible.
Weak "ALARA" Principle
The "As Low As Reasonably Achievable" (ALARA) principle is rendered meaningless without stringent, transparent limits and frequent monitoring, allowing industry to meet minimal requirements rather than true best practices.
A Call for Precaution & Accountability
The evidence demands a fundamental shift away from the current path. The report concludes with a series of urgent recommendations to protect public health, environmental integrity, and global security. The burden of proof must shift from the public demonstrating harm to the industry demonstrating comprehensive safety.
🛑 Immediate Moratorium
Halt all expansion of commercial HALEU production until a comprehensive, independent risk assessment is completed and publicly reviewed.
🔍 Strengthened Oversight & Transparency
Mandate continuous, real-time public monitoring for all radiological effluents. Establish clear, legally binding discharge limits.
🛡️ Enhanced Proliferation Safeguards
Implement security standards for HALEU equivalent to those for weapons-grade materials, including stricter physical security and international verification.
♻️ Sustainable Waste Strategy
Demand a scientifically sound, publicly committed, and fully funded plan for the permanent disposal of HALEU waste *before* more is created.
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