Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Climate change threatens Marshall Islands, where the U.S. has dumped a lot of nuclear waste

In the 1940s and 1950s, the U.S. conducted dozens of nuclear tests on the Marshall Islands. The tests forced people from their homes. When they returned to the islands years later, they were exposed to radioactive material.

By Madeleine Brand • Nov 13, 2019 • 1 min read

In the 1940s and 1950s, the U.S. conducted dozens of nuclear tests on the Marshall Islands. The tests forced people from their homes. When they returned to the islands years later, they were exposed to radioactive material.

Even after the U.S. stopped testing nukes there, it still shipped radioactive waste from nuclear tests in Nevada, and dumped more than 100 tons of it into a concrete dome on one of the Islands. Now that dome is at risk of collapsing because of climate change and rising sea levels.

Madeleine Brand
Host, 'Press Play'
Sarah Sweeney
Vice President of Talk Programming, KCRW
Michell Eloy
Line Editor, Press Play
Alexandra Sif Tryggvadottir
Associate producer
Susanne Rust
Investigative reporter specializing in environmental issues, Los Angeles Times

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Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Climate change threatens Marshall Islands, where the U.S. has dumped a lot of nuclear waste

In the 1940s and 1950s, the U.S. conducted dozens of nuclear tests on the Marshall Islands. The tests forced people from their homes. When they returned to the islands years later, they were exposed to radioactive material.

Share

Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Climate change threatens Marshall Islands, where the U.S. has dumped a lot of nuclear waste

In the 1940s and 1950s, the U.S. conducted dozens of nuclear tests on the Marshall Islands. The tests forced people from their homes. When they returned to the islands years later, they were exposed to radioactive material.

Share