C Chernobyl nuclear power plant

Acid Canyon in New Mexico, a popular hiking and biking trail, has been found to have radioactive contamination levels comparable to those at Chernobyl. Research led by biochemist Michael Ketterer revealed that plutonium concentrations in soil and water exceed EPA safety thresholds by over 72%. Ketterer claims that the area, once a dumping site for radioactive waste during the Manhattan Project, is an 'extreme example' of contamination and should be treated as hazardous. Despite these alarming findings, the U.S. Department of Energy contends that the radiation levels are safe for public exposure. Local officials are urged to warn visitors against contact with the canyon's water, as runoff could pose risks to the Rio Grande and broader environmental safety. The controversy underscores a significant discrepancy between independent research findings and government reassurances regarding public safety.