been revealed to the public before. >> thank you, john. the reactor was located 35 miles from downtown los angeles. it was called the sodium reactor experiment, or sre. but in 1959 when it saw its fuel rods melting the general public was not informed. local public safety officials weren't told much either. >> today is the first time that i've heard of the 59 incidents you mentioned. >> the experts tell us that certain risks were taken. >> i was really appalled and the sort of the cavalier attitude that they demonstrated. >> it's actually very undramatic. it did not appear to be a hazard to the public oratory employees. >> i feel less concerned about it than i would do the long term effect over los angeles. the >> potential of hazard, of major release in the environment was not there. >> and it's taken until this week, 20 years later, for the details to be widely broadcast. >> we all have the idea, all of us who were involved in this