The U.S. Energy Department’s Los Alamos National Laboratory said yesterday that it could not account for two small vials of plutonium oxide, although it is believed that the vials had been discarded (see GSN, June 3).

The laboratory said it discovered that the vials, which contained plutonium oxide mixed with inert elements, were discovered missing June 12 after finding a discrepancy in its inventory.  The vials were not found during a two-day search, and a full materials inventory is now being conducted, according to the Associated Press.

While the exact amount of missing plutonium oxide is unknown, each of the two vials is smaller than the length of a pinky finger, said Los Alamos spokesman Kevin Roark.  The material could not be used to produce weapons, and was likely disposed of along with other radioactive waste without being properly logged, the laboratory said.

“This material has scientific and analytical research value, but is in a low hazard and threat category,” Los Alamos Director Pete Nanos said (Associated Press/Los Angeles Times, June 19).

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