PIKETON, Ohio – Pike County residents are no strangers to concerns about nuclear contamination. For decades, the Portsmouth Gaseous Diffusion Plant has been a focal point of radiation exposure fears, health concerns, and legal battles. Now, with Centrus Energy Corp.’s HALEU (High-Assay, Low-Enriched Uranium) demonstration project underway, new questions are emerging: Is Centrus’ operation adding to the county’s already troubled environmental legacy?
New Radiological Discharges, Old Contamination Worries
According to a recent radiological discharge monitoring report submitted to the Ohio EPA, Centrus’ American Centrifuge Plant at the Piketon Atomic Plant site released low levels of radioactive materials into surface water in late 2024. The report, which covers the fourth quarter of 2024, detailed the presence of alpha and beta radiation, uranium, technetium-99, and plutonium isotopes in discharges from two holding ponds on site.
While Centrus insists that all levels remain within regulatory safety limits, residents remain skeptical. Piketon has a long history of nuclear-related contamination issues, including a school closure due to radiation concerns and lawsuits over environmental contamination linked to the former uranium enrichment operations at the Piketon Atomic Plant.
What’s Different About HALEU?
Centrus’ HALEU program represents a new phase of uranium enrichment at the site. Unlike traditional low-enriched uranium (LEU), which is enriched to 3-5% uranium-235, HALEU is enriched to between 5% and 20% U-235. It is considered a critical fuel for next-generation nuclear reactors, including advanced modular reactors and military applications.
While HALEU enrichment produces fewer emissions compared to the older gaseous diffusion process used at Piketon in the past, the higher enrichment level raises new safety and proliferation concerns.
According to a Vienna Center for Disarmament and Non-Proliferation (VCDNP) report, HALEU enrichment comes with unique risks, including:
- Higher radiation exposure risks for workers and the surrounding community due to the greater concentration of U-235.
- Potential for increased nuclear waste and contamination from the enrichment process.
- Proliferation concerns, as HALEU is closer to weapons-grade uranium than traditional LEU.
While Centrus maintains that its operations are safe and well-regulated, environmental groups argue that additional monitoring and public transparency are needed.
Pike County’s Troubled History with Nuclear Contamination
Concerns about the Piketon site are not new. In 2019, Zahn’s Corner Middle School, just a few miles from the plant, was shut down after enriched uranium and neptunium-237 were detected inside the building. The closure fueled fears that contaminated air, water, and soil could be affecting students, teachers, and nearby residents.
In 2021, a lawsuit was filed by Pike County residents against the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), Centrus, and other entities, alleging that radioactive contamination from the Piketon site has led to increased cancer rates and other health issues in the community. The lawsuit cites:
- Elevated cancer rates in Pike County compared to the Ohio state average.
- Historical mismanagement of nuclear waste at the Piketon site.
- Lack of transparency from the DOE and nuclear contractors about radiation risks.
With this history of contamination, residents are understandably cautious about Centrus’ new operations.
Are Centrus’ Discharges Adding to the Problem?
The most recent monitoring report indicates that radiological discharges have increased slightly compared to previous years. While these levels are still below U.S. regulatory limits, they are above WHO and EU screening levels for drinking water safety.
| Substance | Max Detected (pCi/L or μg/L) | WHO Limit | EPA Limit (US) | EU Limit |
| Gross Alpha Radiation | 4.92 pCi/L | 0.5 pCi/L (screening) | 15 pCi/L | 2.7 pCi/L |
| Gross Beta Radiation | 8.49 pCi/L | 1 pCi/L (screening) | 50 pCi/L | 27 pCi/L |
| Technetium-99 | 11.80 pCi/L | 30 pCi/L | 900 pCi/L | 2,700 pCi/L |
| Uranium (U) | 1.83 μg/L | 15 μg/L | 30 μg/L | 30 μg/L |
| Plutonium-239/240 | 0.060 pCi/L | 0.1 pCi/L | 15 pCi/L | 2.7 pCi/L |
| Americium-241 | 0.074 pCi/L | 0.1 pCi/L | 15 pCi/L | 2.7 pCi/L |
While these levels do not immediately indicate a public health emergency, they do raise red flags under international guidelines.
- Alpha and beta radiation exceed WHO and EU screening levels, which would require further investigation.
- Plutonium, Americium, and Uranium detections suggest long-term environmental monitoring is needed.
What Comes Next for Piketon?
More Monitoring Required: With Centrus ramping up HALEU production, local environmental groups are demanding expanded independent radiation monitoring.
Many residents say they feel left in the dark about the true radiological impact at Piketon. A public town hall meeting is scheduled with Cincinnati news station Local 12 in April.
Ongoing Legal Battles: The lawsuit against the DOE and Centrus remains unresolved. If new contamination data emerges, this could fuel further legal challenges.
Long-Term Health Studies Needed: Residents and advocacy groups are urging state officials to conduct long-term epidemiological studies to assess the potential cancer risks from past and present nuclear operations.
Is HALEU Worth the Risk for Piketon?
Centrus’ HALEU project is billed as a critical component of the future nuclear energy industry, but for the people of Pike County, it represents yet another chapter in their ongoing struggle with nuclear contamination.
With low-level radiation still being detected in water discharges, a history of contamination lawsuits, and a lack of public transparency, many locals are left wondering:
Will this new project bring economic revitalization, or is it another nuclear burden for a community that has already borne too much?