Also Known As: NELCO
Canaan, Connecticut
Time Period: 1963
Facility Type: Atomic Weapons Employer
Facility Description: In 1963, the New England Lime Co. (NELCO) conducted tests on “prill,” a magnesium-uranium waste product, to determine the feasibility of recovering these materials for re-use in the nuclear weapons production system. The prill came from the AEC’s Fernald, Ohio facility. Six drums of prill were sent from Fernald to NELCO for the test. DESCRIPTION OF ACTIVITIES: In 1963, the New England Lime Co. (NELCO) conducted tests on “prill,” a magnesium-uranium waste product, to determine the feasibility of recovering these materials for re-use in the nuclear weapons production system. The prill came from the AEC’s NLO (Fernald) facility. Six drums of prill were sent from NLO (Fernald) to NELCO for the test. The New England Lime Co. also provided magnesium and calcium to the MED and AEC from 1944-1956. This work did not involve radioactive materials. Documentation available for review describes the material handled as waste, bearing low uranium concentrations. This material description is adequate to assess a low potential for dispersion at significant activity levels. Documentation also describes that the workforce involved received fundamental training with respect to radioactive material handling, controls and monitoring, which additionally supports that no residual contamination is suspected postoperations.
The New England Lime Company also provided magnesium and calcium to the Manhattan Engineer District and Atomic Energy Commission from 1944-1956. This work did not involve radioactive materials.