Hanford Nuclear Reservation

The Hanford Nuclear Reservation in Washington State was a major site for producing plutonium during World War II and the Cold War, essential for nuclear weapons. It housed reactors and processing facilities that generated radioactive waste, some of which contaminated the environment. Cleanup efforts focus on managing this waste and reducing environmental risks, but the site remains a significant challenge due to residual contamination. Today, Hanford is also a place of scientific research and site of ongoing environmental remediation, symbolizing both the nation's nuclear history and its efforts to address legacy waste issues.