‘America’s Chernobyl’: Inside The Most Toxic Place In The Nation | TODAY

Experts call it “the most toxic place in America” and “an underground Chernobyl waiting to happen”: the Hanford nuclear site in Washington state, which produced plutonium for America’s nuclear arsenal 70 years ago. Today the federal government spends about $2 billion taxpayer dollars a year to contain deadly waste there. NBC investigative correspondent Ronan Farrow takes a closer look as part of TODAY’s Undercovered series.
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‘America’s Chernobyl’: Inside The Most Toxic Place In The Nation | TODAY

[@WilliamPayneNZ]

What confuses me is I’m 33 years old I live in New Zealand. I’ve never been to the USA. Yet due to being interested in places like Hanford and nuclear history in general. I’ve known the dangers of that place for years. I’m genuinely shocked to hear how many people are not aware of just how dangerous what they are dealing with is at the Hanford site.

[@nelixsulu6201]

People in the US don't care, including the ones in the upper echelons. It's all about the almighty dollar here....

[@WilliamPayneNZ]

@@nelixsulu6201 I was more meaning the average guy on the ground. If I was offered a job there I have a basic understanding of what I’d be walking into.

[@KarmiFaye]

This is where I live. Glad there’s some news coverage on this place, we need it.

[@CLUB-th7pp]

Karmi girl, u might wanna move cuz they r Not

[@KrisAshMommy]

Me too. Well did. In Kennewick.

[@KrisAshMommy]

@BC Bob because family or maybe she can't afford to move. Or she loves it.

[@TakeDeadAim]

I remember asking my father(a PhD chemist who worked on nuke's at Los Alamos/Livermore and who is very familiar with the issues of containing nuclear waste) about Hanford. He said back when he was in grad school at the University of Washington in 1967...they were already asking the universities if they had any "good" ideas. He said even then there were none. He said to me about 30 years ago while talking about "Superfund" sites what the worst one is. He said without question it was Hanford. Mainly because IF the containment leaks into the ground water and finds it's way into the Columbia River(which Hanford sits on), it will then flush into the Pacific ocean where it will be carried by the Japanese current all the way down the west coast of the US...potentially contaminating the entire coastline with some very, VERY nasty stuff. Not only do they have a short range solution, he said some of the stuff is so corrosive and dangerous that they can't even HANDLE it right now. It's not the stuff they allow "us" to know about....it's the stuff he said that is very classified...which is also buried around the area that is most dangerous.

[@JaKrispy388]

...now I'm wondering what other classified stuff is buried in there.

[@mariejae]

That's so sad. The northwest and places on the CA coast like Big Sur and Carmel or so gorgeous. I can't believe the most intelligent scientists don't know how to clean up other scientist's mess from 30+ years ago.

[@azice6034]

@@mariejae It’s really not that simple…

[@MS-uj5ui]

That’s nice to hear from Hermiston 🥲

[@MyPsAndQs]

reading this living 15 minutes away from hanford…tri city herald announced yesterday that the contamination is worse than originally thought and is only 1,000 ft from the columbia river…

[@imkindahungry04364]

3:31 "Sure I'll have an interview with you, but only on the roof!" lol

[@BostonJon420]

Hanford needs to be talked about more. It shows just how little the government cares about its people and why we shouldn't trust them with something as dangerous as nuclear-powered anything.

[@evanfinch4987]

Doesn't care? Dude they're investing $2+ billion annually.

[@jessicah3450]

They're the ones cleaning these sites up through the EPA's Superfund program. Maybe politicians should stop cutting funding for cleaning up these sites.

[@PageNotFound-jt8bj]

Horrible for those workers that were exposed. I wish them the best and hope they get compensated. The reporter was fantastic in his coverage. He exposed the problems and was able to get inside and ask the tough point blank questions that those victims wanted. Though the answers from Hanford were bogus. Not used to seeing professionals skip the crap and get right to the point. Good job!

[@hunterhoughton7843]

404 Page Not Found your mom was exposed

[@zk97383]

This story needs more views. I only even found this because I was trying to watch things about Picher, Oklahoma. This is crazy, people should care about Hanford!

[@dandelionsoil]

it's not as easy as just cleaning it up, we spent decades manufacturing these compounds and we honestly just don't know how to contain the waste or how it behaves over a long period of time. It's kind of "beyond" our science at this point.

[@Shadowofthesoldier]

When I see these poor people, being lied to by a company looking for profit over health of its employees and not even caring for its public image.... it is baffling.

[@jeffheller4180]

Hanford: naw man, we aren’t just burying stuff in holes next to the river. That would be dangerous! *checks google maps* Hanford: okay, so we have just been burying stuff in holes by the river. And downstream already shows ecological damage, but I’m sure it’ll be fine!

[@MS-uj5ui]

Yeah as someone downstream in Hermiston, everyone has rare blood cancers and autoimmune diseases. We also have a shitton of wind here btw

[@ronpflugrath2712]

All eastern washington women should have base lined endocrine system blood work, oregon too

[@dylancardwell1968]

lol, the most toxic place on the planet is this comment section

[@matthewf9500]

Dylan Cardwell you're a brain dead mouthpiece

[@user-xn5sd2sk4d]

@@matthewf9500 I’m guessing this is a joke lmao

[@blipco5]

I've worked heavy construction for decades. Safety gear is expensive and cumbersome, it slows down a man's production. It takes time to put it on also and when you're on the clock it gets expensive. If you ask for the protective gear you are soon without a job. Fired, or "laid off due to lack of work". Same here at Hanford.

[@cdismore3251]

You know what would be extremely sad about this. If the D.O.E. actually knows that no amount of P.P.E. designated for nuclear workers is enough for the dangerous materials in that sight. I'm going by one of the comments I just read.

[@blipco5]

Some nukes are better to work at than others. They all use the same safety precautions, it's just the older nukes are more prone to failure.

[@juliacassidy]

Has there been an update on this piece? I’m interested in learning how the government followed up to this story/What actions were taken to improve worker and environmental safety?

[@jermwerty]

This story conflates the tank vapor issue with general Hanford problems. The vapor issue was solved by requiring SCBA (as compared to SCUBA which is "underwater") and re-doing work processes. The reason the US Govt spends $2Billion per year at Hanford is there is a long laundry list of problems. Just google "hanford tunnel collapse" for another fun one! Just keep in mind nearly 2/3rds of the US Nuclear Arsenal material was created at Hanford between 1945-1987!

[@rayceeya8659]

I grew up across the river from HNR. Also 20 miles from the Umatilla Weapons Depot where they stockpile nerve gas for over 50 years. Eastern Oregon and Eastern Washington has always been a dumping ground for dangerous materials, none of this is news to me, but maybe with some national recognition we can get something done about it.

[@PaulL42654]

no, it's the cod community

[@mbear1639]

Hanford has always been America's dirty little secret. Nice job Ronan!!

[@Tara........]

This is beyond horrifying.

[@odin1469]

And THAT was 11/29/2016. NOW with the cave in/sink hole that happened a few days ago. Employees evacuated. Some of the locals have been evacuated, the locals have been warned to NOT eat any food out of the ground from their homes, and careful of the water if from a well. There is a no fly zone of 5 miles around the site. *shakes head*

[@DgurlSunshine]

death to nuclear

[@shutupandlisten873]

Dang

[@josephvanas6352]

that is a blatant lie, hanford was placed under a take cover while they could evaluate. No one was evacuated. From what I have heard from several people I know who were out there at the time there was no release or radioactive materials. The tank waste is a whole different animal. The radiation in those tanks does not scare me one bit, its the chemicals in them that are scary.

[@yafois988]

​@@josephvanas6352 UUHHMM, No, the plethora of chemicals affecting ALL Life anywhere near it and ALL the elements escaping are LETHAL to all life. IT Does “contaminate everything that is within its reach via wind like Chernobyl DID. aroundcontaminated testingbadly entirearound getting IN the dirt-soils, , on all things and transport like bugs around the area via vehicles moving around, , ppl, The old trucks cars, tractors, machinery, vehicle’s EXPOSED to this stuff all wound up in wrecking yards all around the region. Unbelievable ppl act like it didn’t exist and magically disappeared somehow. Down wind affecting everything in USSR, Sweden, Italy, etc ALL has issues affecting via this chemical Escape release thing, this a natural; well Known, predictable event like Chernobyl Was. NOW the previous leaking has escalated Into the ground. BYE BYE Columbia River.

[@Volundur9567]

There's a Right to Know. Employees need to push for access. It's a law. When you work in a place where chemicals are present, there has to be documents present where workers can look up information and what they get exposed to. This is a violation of OSHA.

[@bobs8005]

“As a result of the exposure we are giving this today there will be permanent changes.” The government doesn’t care that much unfortunately

[@maus0liam]

Like he cares about us in lower Eastern Washington. Standing up there glorious in the Seattle sky line.

[@liamgallagher406]

Excellent and informative report. I love investigative journalism. Good work.

[@spanishblog9507]

And this news has only been seen by 32,739 views since 29th Nov 2016 ???

[@CLUB-th7pp]

Spanish Blog it’s up to 164;000 12/29/19 , it should b millions

[@darthtater6359]

Weird. I think the government needs to pay these victims. They messed up their own workers lives.

[@ronpflugrath2712]

They pass the buck of RESPONSIBILITY, dead horse contractors hot potatoes .

[@damienhardy1732]

It's bad when a hundred and ten billion dollars is still not enough money to ensure the safety of your workers

[@jakeorr7248]

Ronan Farrow is totally Frank Sinatra's son

[@Pigsbloodonyou]

now it's leaking with huge hole in tunnel complex great job there doing lmfao

[@nikkid9757]

This is beyond sad .. absolutely inhumane

[@adrianarizo5618]

Wow I missed this. Glad I found it. Dang Ronin on the case.

[@dcarp5939]

I've been doing environmental work for over 20+ years & I've cleaned up radioactive waste before, if you think something is unsafe you do a "stop work" protocol. And everybody stops. You fix the problem ei: put on level A suits. Yeah it might slow down productivity but you won't get sick. I've put in silt fence wearing level A suit because the readings were wrong & they first said we could just wear the normal work clothes. Every person on any site is responsible for everyone. There is plenty of old nuclear power plants all over the country. First nuclear plant built during peacetime was built by farmers.

[@anoniconoclast2030]

You sound like you might be sick. You should get checked out asap.

[@JeepisJunk]

If in doubt. Take a supervisor with you. If they refuse. Then you refuse. Simple. Make them dive in.

[@coiledsteel8344]

Governments and corporations all over the world say the same think - IT'S A SECRECT, CLASSIFIED, RESTRICTED! Always "hide behind" their security clearances to avoid the real issue - SAFETY!🤔😣😣

[@coiledsteel8344]

Sorry for spell check - same THING...SECRET...

[@king0cans]

I was at the Hanford site 08 and since then I have body pain all over like you feel when your sick and have a high temperature. I hurt 24/7 Anyone else have this?

[@MS-uj5ui]

Take iodine

[@clexis14]

I saw the title and immediately thought Hanford. I was kinda hoping it wasn't. I live near here

[@jimmy4x4socal44]

10/26/18 passed a convoy of hazmat/first responders in Reno on the 395 northbound to Hanford. Must have been 100 vehicles. I guess steam leaking out. We will see

[@kjdawsey]

I work at tank farms. There are at the least several inaccuracies/embellishments in this piece.

[@TheHoswa2011]

Kolin Dawsey lol yea right

[@seansteryu7398]

Fake news?

[@jaxw2628]

True, I live near it and my dad works there.

[@anoniconoclast2030]

Dude, get out now! We are tired of paying you your high wage. I would look into an other form of work like cleaning out rest rooms. It's all the same old crap.

[@Rogue-Drone]

@@anoniconoclast2030 If it’s all the same then why do it for less? You’re not good at math, are you?

[@FindYourVoice1]

damn I live so close to Hanford....

[@paulblartmallgth6652]

You from the tri-cities too?

[@FindYourVoice1]

yes

[@Vlaakster]

sunnyside here :)

[@sunshinegardens21]

Permafried Braj I'm here in Richland right next to it. I'm glad some officials in the Capitol are "looking in" to hanford, but I hope we can get more ppl to speak out. The whole nation needs to hear our voices! I find it no coincidence that we have one of the highest birth defects, cancer rates, etc. We need to be heard!

[@user-nq5be9fz1g]

Carol Lynn if u believe they r doing anything about this I got ocean front property in Idaho I'd like to sell u

[@samuraisquad5818]

my grangpa just passed away... after 12 years of suffering. He no longer is suffering. He retired from hanford. Im upset hanford killed my grandpa!

[@stickynorth]

I'd love to see a follow up on this story in 2022!

[@alex_themasterr9739]

When I live 20 miles away from Hanford 😵

[@vmcgregor2349]

They should of told the people working there.

[@weatherfan1925]

On March 1st,2018 I just found out about this...

[@ariindigo6171]

Frederick S. Cairo II I know right... I wish school taught me this

[@thenegativegamer6421]

Is there a follow up video to this?

[@gman6081]

Why isn't the lieutenant governor out at the Hanford tank farms, instead of safely standing up on top of a sky scraper hundreds of miles away?

[@maryb6280]

Currently in Richland, right next to Hanford...

[@gavinoconnor7754]

Nice I can see Hanford from my house

[@Mendoza1414]

In the night there’s a view from apple orchards from where I live and you can see all the lights of Hanford

[@Phil-D83]

Suprised anyone works there given what it is

[@johnfranklin1955]

“ America’s Chernobyl “ Nonsense!

[@april_]

this is in my state 😎😎😎 can’t wait to go there. can’t wait to have 3 hands

[@EskimoPablo907]

What are they doing on top of a building? They must have been bored and thought “hey let’s have the interview on top of this building. That would be fun.”

[@leardvr]

So how many of these people saw the same doctor? They all seem to have illnesses that are vague enough to irrefutable and guarantee you SSDI or a decent payout from your employers longterm disability plan.

[@jennifercaresssmith7956]

Prayers for everyone ❤️🙏

[@jaxw2628]

This is all some BS. I live in Richland and you can call me ignorant and whatever, but the air, water, etc. are not contaminated.

[@thegoodscientistsdaughter7236]

Hanford is killing me, killed my grandmother, made my mother sick and my daughter and not one ounce of sympathy or empathy go out to any of us. They say it's not their fault! Everything is safe! The communities surrounding Hanford are funded by Hanford and all you hear is people DEFENDING it here and saying it's SAFE. They take our health, our ability to work, ability to make a living and then when we put two and two together it's too late! I'm allergic to light. My mothers fingers and organs are black rocks. We all have no functioning thyroids. Ssi denies us. We're sent to medical clinics funded by.... yep. Hanford contractors. All classified. My father was a lead scientist. 90% of what he did is still classified. He's not sick. Brought home contaminated materials. All of his ex wives and me though, were dead or sick. Women shouldn't be living near this waste land for up to 300 miles in my opinion. And I'm still here. Living in the dark. With a "rare" autoimmune condition not one dr can help me with. While my children suffer. My mother suffers. It's disgusting. How's that for finally speaking out? They call what I'm doing whistle blowing. Did I mention my grandfather worked in the b reactor??? Yeah. They pay the men well while the women die and get replaced. It's greed and nothing more. I deserve justice and so do so many others. My resentment towards our government and Hanford is so deep it's unbelievable. I'm told I should be grateful for it. It financially has provided for my family for generations. That's how they get away with it. The pay out there! You couldn't get a better job in the area😉

[@DANIELLOPEZ-di7sf]

HERE IS YOUR "CORONAVIRUS" MACHINE AMERICA!!!

[@nunnaurbiznez8815]

There is an identical story in a St Louis suburb.

[@hikingthebackroads]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/mqaofqVqi8ekmK8

[@innakonginna8087]

nuclear should be a cheaper option for electricity.. but the risk and the waste of it cost more..

[@DEFCONx19]

Shouldnt you have a question mark after America's Chernobyl in the title of this video, just like on the screen? Bit misleading.

[@KrisAshMommy]

And I grew up in that area.

[@davidmaye3580]

Title is a little misleading. This isn't Radioactive exposure.

[@robertmixon3167]

Remember THE RADIUM GIRLS. The same thing is happening all over again.

[@Dymino]

“The most toxic place in America” You mean my school?

[@johnfranklin1955]

Do all those interviewed have the same lawyer?

[@rainernolywaika4224]

Soo many people in Wenatchee have thyroid problems and Cancer

[@AVirtualTourist]

Hanford is not "America's Chernobyl". Simi Valley is. And I'm afraid, in the 'most toxic places in america', Hanford doesn't even crack the top ten. A poorly contained radiation involved workplace environment that has affected hundreds of workers, (with a potential risk of release of container contents) doesn't even compare to a decades-long purposeful actual release of radioactive material into open air that impacted and still impacts an entire region for half a century and counting; one which has directly affected the health of tens of thousands of residents. Not only that, but Simi Valley is the precedent that Hanford's operators are relying on. One that says to every potential nuclear operator in America: 'you can do whatever you want and no one will care, or do anything to stop you.' I agree that something should be done about Hanford, and Santa Susana, and Idaho but sensationalising one situation to make it sound worse than it really is not the way to get authorities to take notice, in fact it will have the opposite effect, since they are people too, and they hate to be manipulated by lies as much as the next person. Please stop this irresponsible journalism immediately.

[@sunshinegardens21]

GregMHouse I live 10 miles from the hanford site. We have some of the highest birth defect rates, cancer rates, etc. These leaking tanks will soon be hitting ground water. Our soil & water already has high levels of radiation. I have a family member who is literally dying from radiation exposure, along with my grandpa who died from cancer he got from working at the site. Yes there are other areas that deserve attention, but we do too. We all do! No human being should be exposed to anything that could kill them & simply be overlooked cuz it's "just business".

[@recoveringsoul755]

+Carol Lynn, well now there's a problem isn't there. even worse than your stories. Can you leave? but I hear this will affect (from wind patterns) not only East WA, but parts of OR, Canada and Idaho. BPEarthwatch.com has a site (and a YT channel) with radiation levels, and a way to get your own Geiger counter for about $100. Also beyondnuclear.com. You can take Potassium Iodide to protect your thyroid gland depending on age, and exposure levels. (supposed to help prevent leukemia).

[@ronhoffstein8142]

You are trying to sensationalize an incident that happened over 50 years ago and was conducted with knowledge of the very worst case scenario possibly happening beforehand. It was a totally contained experiment that went wrong. It is contained, will always remain so and is not a problem.

[@patrickkelly5009]

Then I challenge you to go stand directly next to one of the pressure outflow valves of one of the numerous tanks holding nuclear waste material with no protection of any kind and report back here after 6 months.

[@richardgrace4500]

@@sunshinegardens21 uhm that is everywhere and has nothing too do with radiation...you might wanna check into wtf you are eating because you have a higher chance of birth defects due too the steroids and chemicals they are putting onto your food then there is of you getting defects and issues from radiation

[@arndpeter]

Pandorra's box !

[@theneonfox3414]

Thay need to sort it out not just seal it for the future to solve

[@Challender]

ok 2016 where is the update?

[@LavenderSkyla]

Family has land on the Columbia by the coast. My papa when he was alive told me how the steel head n salmon would go crazy there when he was young and when he was growing up. How it had always been good fishing there.. now on that very land noone can catch a fish. Noone. And a lot of cancer and illness in my family showing up for the first time. I think its already begun leaking into the water and there is nothing they can even do. This is worse than Chernobyl

[@yafois988]

Go look at the vid that just was posted on April, about Chernobyl, the logic applies to this scenario too. Chernobyl 35 years later.

[@jimm6095]

What about the epidemic of BIRTH DEFECTS among babies born near Hanford?

[@GeorgeJansen]

Hey. That man on the right touched my bird

[@kevinthebabyboi662]

I thought that was in a twelve year olds room

[@coiledsteel8344]

Hanford, Washington. Wonder if Anything is GETTING in the water or air, and into the famous -Washington Apples?🤔

[@tomman647]

do you guys know how dangerous it is being contaminated??

[@sunshinegardens21]

Tommy Varga The tanks are leaking daily & yet still nothing is doing to speed up the process to contain the leaks. The shells the nuclear waste is in were only suppose to hold up for like 30 years. These leaks WILL reach ground water if it hasn't already, & sadly only then will the nation finally realize how insanely dangerous this is. I've lived here my whole life, personally have a chronic disease caused simply by toxins in the air; we have one of the highest cancer rates, birth defect rates, etc. But we're not being heard because the big wigs running the "clean up" know they'll lose their funding. It's terrifying.

[@adambrady6675]

What stopped any of these employees from calling OSHA, EPA, etc. When you trade your job for your health, you are trading diamonds for stones.

[@anoniconoclast2030]

There has to be a better way.

[@Jack-ul2nu]

I don,t understand why whe just ignore ,that people are doing from radioactive waste sites atomic bombs sites that whe need nuclear power in the future no matter what, i fear the future

[@Awake-Free-CT]

If it is so safe there then build an office block for all the politicians and Elites along with living quarters onsite where they must live and spend their time. Also anyone profiting large amounts from the industry should be made to live there too if it's so safe. Anyone else thinks that's a good idea?

[@bukdavid509]

I know people that have been exposed by the chemicals no longer with us... RIP 🙏

[@holli2336]

Thank you! My Dad is one of the guys in this video that has passed due to a major spill that happened to him. Nobody cares out there about their workers.

[@r3plaCment]

Workers still dying today, to Clean Up Yesterday's and future mess. People are Just a commodity

[@Baudelier42]

Simi valley all over again. Private contractor screws up by the numbers and here's the AEC to sweep things under the rug.

[@GeorgeJansen]

Or, how about sending all the juices to the surface of the Sun?

[@privatizeeverything1616]

Nuclear weapons rock!

[@infinitescum8487]

Oh hi, Mark Watney!

[@lucasfransen2363]

Not the government problem it’s a private contractor.

[@Fufu0117]

Go In with force

[@Cartoondude135]

Is it bad that I live in Vancouver BC?

[@mattb2313]

Why would that be bad?

[@Cartoondude135]

@@mattb2313 It's near the area where the radiation is leaking.

[@xpertwolf17]

@@Cartoondude135 Nah your probably fine, you live far away compared to me.

[@cristiang4501]

I live 18 minutes away from Hanford. 😭😢

[@KrisAshMommy]

In Richland? West Richland? Benton City? I'm from Kennewick

[@xpertwolf17]

@@KrisAshMommy Wait I'm from Benton City and I knew we were close to Hanford but I didn't know we were 20 minutes away

[@yafois988]

Have you tested to radiation or AIR for TOXIC contamination things Yet?

[@cooperbeason893]

Oh great I live 20 min away from that

[@masonicjewel6687]

this is what happens when you play with nuclear energy, and nuclear mediSIN... you declare nuclear war on yourself

[@toxic1venom]

OSHA,,,,, but wait, thats part of the government

[@butch._.4529]

That women at 2:10 isn't even shaking wtf

[@DeeTheBomb]

Man and I moved out here, back to California I go

[@MDJ-wb1pn]

Keep voting your representatives into office and this will keep happening. This country is at war politically for partisan power and yet those partisan powers are to blame yet the American public keeps voting them into office because they still believe in big government.

[@anonymoususer6683]

These people knew of the risks, now they want to complain and ask for money.

[@dyoung4850]

So all high levels are of mercury and ammonia nothing of radiation and contamination. FYI the definition of a vapor is substance that is in either liquid or solid form under normal conditions but due to high pressure and temperatures turns into a gasous state. The journalists need to learn more about what they are reporting on then then trying to be entertaining. To prove my case just look at the title of the video they were trying to advertise the story.

[@jsawyer0617]

St. Louis?! ANYONE?!

[@frexmaxxy1836]

In Europe (Chernobyl) Arch was build and It's getting safer

[@stillbee7222]

Everyone knows this place is toxic. EVERYONE WITH COMMON SENSE. HEY BUT THE PAY IS GOOD . . IM 57 AND I HAVE LIVED HERE ALL MY LIFE. NOTHINGVWILL EVER BE DONE ABOUT THIS. EVER.

[@babykevinxoxo]

We should ship all waste to mars.