Uranium hexafluoride release tonight at Honeywell Works, Metropolis, IL.

There was a confirmed uranium hexafluoride release at Honeywell Works in Metropolis, IL at 8pm tonight. Sirens have sounded and Honeywell guards have told people to shelter in place, close windows, and turn off A/C.

VIDEO

The Honeywell Works converts raw uranium into uranium hexafluoride. It is then pumped across the Ohio River to the Paducah plant, for the manufacture of nuclear fuel for nuke power plants.

There were two major releases of UF6 (uranium hexafluoride) from this plant in May 2012, they were covered here at:

Uranium hexafluoride releases at Honeywell Metropolis Works, May 2012. Part 1.

Uranium hexafluoride releases at Honeywell Metropolis Works, May 2012. Part 2.

UF6 is very dangerous. For one thing, it is a neutron emitter like plutonium. The hydrofluoric acid that is created on contact with water vapor is corrosive and deadly. You don’t want to breathe this stuff.

It was noted to be moving west from Metropolis. Wind maps indicate that the wind is from the southeast, so the plume would be moving northwest. Cape Girardeau MO and St Louis MO, or points in between, would seem to be where it is headed. And it won’t stop there.