Cactus Dome is a concrete dome structure located on Runit Island, which is part of the Enewetak Atoll in the Marshall Islands. It was built by the United States government in the 1970s as a repository for radioactive debris left over from nuclear tests that were conducted in the Pacific during the Cold War era.
The dome is approximately 18 inches thick and covers an area of 350 feet in diameter. It contains over 85,000 cubic yards of radioactive soil and debris, including plutonium-239, which has a half-life of over 24,000 years.
The construction of Cactus Dome was part of the larger "Clean Up" program, which aimed to remove the radioactive debris from the Marshall Islands and store it in a safe and secure location. However, concerns have been raised about the safety of the dome, as it was not designed to last indefinitely and the structure has reportedly started to deteriorate due to exposure to the elements.
In recent years, there has been growing international concern about the safety of Cactus Dome and the long-term environmental and health risks associated with the radioactive waste it contains. The Marshall Islands government and international organizations have called for action to be taken to address the issue and ensure the safety of the local population and the wider Pacific region.
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