Many early safety procedures and waste disposal practices were inadequate, and government documents have confirmed that Hanford's operations released significant amounts of radioactive materials into the air and the Columbia River.
Banyak prosedur keselamatan dini dan praktik pembuangan limbah tidak mencukupi, dan dokumen pemerintah telah mengkonfirmasi bahwa operasi Hanford mengeluarkan sejumlah besar bahan radioaktif ke udara dan Sungai Columbia.