Such a collision and fire could release dangerous amounts of toxic ash into the air. Accidents do happen Such a collision has never occured. But five days ago, DOE officials discovered that some 170 barrels of the incinerator's toxic ash were mistakenly dumped in an Oak Ridge reservation landfill, rather than being transported for permanent storage. DOE officials downplayed the significance of the error, which occured over a month's time. But there is no threat to the environment or health.
Environmental watchdogs are less sure.
And with that, you have toxins moving into the environment. She also voiced concern over the incinerator's impact on the nearby Clinch River. A government report found the incinerator was responsible for increased radioactive discharges into the river. Water is used in the incinerator's cooling and filtering systems. It is then sent to the nearby treatment plant.