Former Sodium Disposal Facility SWMU
This page describes the RCRA (chemical) cleanup of the Former Sodium Disposal Facility (FSDF) solid waste management unit (SWMU).
The FSDF, otherwise known as the “Burn Pit” or “Building 886”, was constructed in the early to middle 1950s and used to clean metallic sodium test components via direct contact with water. It was also used as an open disposal site to burn lab trash and combustible liquid waste, such as oil. The facility was active from 1956 to 1978.
Several excavations, including a RCRA Interim Measure, removed all contaminated soils to bedrock. The soils were disposed of at an off-site landfill. In May 1998, the DHS removed the Sodium Disposal Facility from California Radioactive Materials License 0015-19, and formally released the facility for radiologically unrestricted use. The FSDF site was backfilled, graded, and landscaped to match the surrounding area in 1999. An interim measures report was submitted to the DTSC and additional work may be required under the RCRA corrective action program.
There is groundwater contamination beneath the FSDF. Groundwater remediation is ongoing.
See the FSDF history page for additional information on past radiological cleanup.
