American Chain and Cable, Bridgeport, CT
TIME PERIOD: 1944
DESCRIPTION OF ACTIVITIES:
In 1944, American Chain and Cable Co. was contracted by the DuPont Company to evaluate the
potential for reclamation of 6,231 uranium rods through swaging (diameter reduction).
American Chain and Cable Co. received and swaged eight uranium rods which subsequently
failed metallurgical evaluation, and the process was abandoned.
It is not likely or reasonable to suspect that significant levels of residual radioactive material
were present after this operation. Documentation exists supporting that a limited quantity of
material was processed (eight uranium rods 1.39 to 1.46 inches in diameter), and that the
operation was of a short duration (which contractually included delivery and removal of all
material). Additionally, the nature of the activity, swaging (cold-working), would most likely
not lead to a high probability of dispersion of radioactive material, and apparent personnel
exposure controls were reviewed and/or implemented which would lend to further reduction in
the probability of dispersion of radioactive material.