Drum of Depleted Uranium Found at Opa-locka Airport

Officials have evacuated parts of Opa-locka Executive Airport after an unsealed 55-gallon drum of depleted uranium was found on the premises. The drum was sitting near a DC-10 aircraft that was slated for demolition. Thankfully, the radioactive discovery was made before the airplane was demolished...

By Kyle Munzenrieder

July 25, 2013

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Officials have evacuated parts of Opa-locka Executive Airport after an unsealed 55-gallon drum of depleted uranium was found on the premises. The drum was sitting near a DC-10 aircraft that was slated for demolition. Thankfully, the radioactive discovery was made before the airplane was demolished.

It's unclear why the uranium was there or how the container became unsealed. However, all DC-10s originally used depleted uranium as counterweights on various parts of the aircraft.

Individuals are exposed to a depleted uranium's radiation only if they eat, breath, or drink it or if they get some on their skin. No injuries or incidents have been reported at the airport as a result of the incident.

According to NBC Miami, the Environmental Protection Agency is on its way to clear the area and clean up the scene.

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