The Green Run
In 1949, the U.S. government conducted the Green Run experiment at the Hanford Site in Washington. This secretive operation involved releasing radioactive iodine-131 and xenon-133 over the surrounding area to test air monitoring equipment. The fallout drifted over nearby communities, exposing residents to radiation without their knowledge or consent. For decades, the experiment remained classified, with officials denying any health risks. It wasn’t until the 1980s that details emerged, revealing the extent of the government’s disregard for public safety. The Green Run remains a sobering example of Cold War-era secrecy and the ethical breaches of human experimentation.