In this volume, the National Research Council examines problems arising throughout government-owned, contractor-operated facilities in the United States engaged in activities to build nuclear weapons. The book draws conclusions about and makes recommendations for the health and safety of the nuclear weapons complex and addresses pressing environmental concerns. In addition, the book examines the future of the complex and offers suggestions for its modernization. Several explanatory appendixes provide useful background information on the functioning of the complex, criticality safety, plutonium chemistry, and weapons physics.

Table of Contents


Front Matter
Executive Summary
1. Introduction
2. Management
3. Environment
4. Safety
5. Health
6. Modernization of the Complex
Appendix A: Biographical Sketches of Committee Members
Appendix B: The DOE Nuclear Weapons Complex: A Descriptive Overview
Appendix C: Nuclear Criticality
Appendix D: Plutonium
Appendix E: Physics of Nuclear Weapons Design
Appendix F: Charge to the Committee
References
Abbreviations