Featuring Michael E. Ketterer, PhD, analytical chemist and Professor Emeritus of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Northern Arizona University (NAU)

Dr. Michael Ketterer has done spectrophotometric analyses of offsite samples near the Portsmouth Nuclear Site (PORTS) which document that the contamination originated from PORTS. NAU now has one of the world’s newest and most sensitive spectrophotometers.  

The gaseous diffusion plant at PORTS enriched uranium from 1954-2001. During that time the Dept. of Energy brought in high-level radioactive waste and ran it through the massive process buildings to extract the uranium. This contaminated the entire site with dangerously radioactive isotopes including americium, technetium, plutonium, and neptunium. These contaminants have been migrating from the site since that time.  Open-air demolition of the buildings is now increasing the amount of airborne particles coming from the site. In spite of objections asking for operations to be covered, the department continues to use the cheapest and fastest methods.

Below are reports, articles, and interviews featuring Dr. Ketterer’s work at PORTS.    

• Ketterer/Plant uptake of Neptunium-237 in Creeks near Portsmouth Nuclear Site 7-4-24

• Dr. Ketterer slides on PORTS offsite contamination, Waverly, OH 3-3-24

• 11-9-23 Dr. Michael Ketterer ATSDR Comments 

• 12-1-22: Nuclear Hotseat audio podcast: More Radioactive Contamination Found in Ohio Homes Near PORTS U-Processing Plant with Professor Michael Ketterer. A “Creeping Chernobyl”. 

• 11-8-22 Nuclear Newswire: Report links U-235 found in Ohio home to Portsmouth. 

• 11-3-22 Local 12 investigation uncovers family’s home is riddled with radioactive contamination.  This article links to 6-21-22 Northern Arizona University letter Enriched Uranium Found in Lawson House and Attic. 

• 11-1-22 Pike County News Watchman: Congressman Tim Ryan Writes Letter to Energy Secretary Urging Transparency, Accountability for Pike County Residents. Ketterer statistics quoted. 

• 6-4-21 Columbus Dispatch:  Opinion: Dangerous contaminants entering homes and lungs daily thanks to government’s malfeasance.

• 5-30-21 Cold War Patriots: AN OHIO TOWN GRAPPLES WITH TEARING DOWN A PLANT FROM THE COLD WAR.

• 4-28-21 Letter to Pike Count Health Commissioner Matt Brewster:  Neptunium-237 in Groundwater at the X701 Contamination Plume,  Portsmouth Gaseous Diffusion Facility. Ketterer’s analysis identifies PORTS as the source of offsite radioactivity. 

• 9-6-20 Columbus Dispatch: Former employees, families sue companies working on Piketon-area nuclear plant.  

• University of Denver Undergraduate Research Journal: Records of Enriched Uranium Atmospheric Deposition in Pond Sediments in Piketon, OH.

• 8-10-19 Dr. Ketterer speaks at Piketon High School about radioactivity in local soils . 

• July 2019: Dept. of Energy Sampling Analysis Report for Zahn’s Corner Middle School.

• 5-16-19 WTOL Toledo: Plant contamination worries prompts closing of Ohio school.

• 5-15-19 Dayton Daily News: Radioactive material closes middle school in Piketon.

• 5-13-19 Akron Beacon Journal: Southern Ohio school closes because of radioactive contamination fears.

• 5-13-19 Columbus Dispatch: Piketon school closes because of radioactive contamination fears.  

• 4-30-19 AP/WOUB, Athens: Students Will be Moved to Alternate Locations Next School Year.

• 4-27-19 Ketterer/Szechenyi Northern Arizona University (Letter to Pike County residents) Investigation of anthropogenic uranium, neptunium, and plutonium in environmental samples near Piketon, Ohio.  Report on Piketon Offsite Radioactive Contamination. 

• 4-27-19:  Pike County Health District meeting April 27. YouTube video of the 2-hour meeting at the Pike County Health District.