Former workers at Bliss concerned about radiation exposure

FORT BLISS, TEXAS — The West Texas Army post where military leaders this week announced the detection of radioactivity has received about 40 calls from people concerned about exposure.

Officials at Fort Bliss established a hotline after learning radioactive residue was recorded at a bunker where nuclear weapons were assembled and stored in the 1950s and 1960s.

Former workers in the area of Biggs Army Airfield, where the bunker is located on the sprawling post, called Wednesday expressing concern. Officials announced a day earlier that low levels of radiation were detected as part of an investigation that began about two months ago.

An epoxy was applied to the interior of the bunker but chipped away over the years, revealing contamination underneath.

The bunker has been used since 2003 to store rifles and other weapons.