Routine operations, other fires, and storage of materials at the 903 Pad in the late 1950's and early 1960's also contributed to offsite contamination and exposures. Based on the results of the research, the Panel did not feel that epidemiologic studies of the community to verify health effects were warranted. As long as plutonium remains at Rocky Flats, as well as thousands of cubic yards of nuclear waste materials, the possibility of a catastrophic event releasing this material into the environment remains. Arguably the likelihood of such an event is remote, but still there must be precautions taken. An emergency preparedness plan is maintained by representatives from several state agencies, officials at the Rocky Flats site, and local governments to coordinate what should happen in the event of a major accident involving Rocky Flats.
Plutonium is a radioactive metal that is produced in a nuclear reactor.
Although nature itself has produced minuscule quantities of the metal, essentially all plutonium is man-made. Plutonium is created in a nuclear reactor when the uranium fuel rod is bombarded with neutron particles. In a sense, plutonium is a by-product or waste from the nuclear reaction. Most plutonium has been used in the fabrication of nuclear weapons, but some is used for power generation, especially for spacecraft and satellites. The danger from plutonium comes from its radioactive properties.