Colo. says sludge is safe

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DENVER, June 28 (UPI) -- Health officials in Colorado say radioactive sludge in an impoundment pond will not contaminate groundwater.

The state gave Cotter Corp. permission to dump 90,000 gallons of sludge from a no-longer-used uranium mill near Canon City, The Denver Post reported Tuesday. The Department of Health said underground barriers will seal in the contamination.

An environmental group, Citizens Against Toxic Waste, has sued in an effort to block the dumping. A judge refused to grant a motion by Cotter and the state to dismiss the lawsuit.

John Hamrick, Cotter's vice president for milling, said the sludge will be mixed with another material to make it a solid.

"It's like kitty litter," he said.