nuclear-news

Nuclear radiation threat always there for 3 million Americans

The Federal Emergency Management Agency reports that nearly 3 million Americans live within 10 miles of an operating nuclear power plant.

Although the Nuclear Regulatory Commission monitors these facilities closely, accidents are always possible. Dangerous levels of radiation could come our way.

Nuclear threats close to home – Honesdale, PA – Wayne Independent. 11 Aug 29010, What took place at PPL’s Susquehanna nuclear power plant near Berwick shook a few people up on Tuesday. It also served notice that nuclear disasters are possible — or at least the threat of them.Nuclear power plants aren’t on our radar that much these days. We don’t often think about Three Mile Island or the movie “The China Syndrome.” For the most part, we have grown to believe that the production of nuclear power plant energy is almost as safe as flying the friendly skies each day. There are no incidents and everything goes off without a hitch.

Until Tuesday.
PPL Corporation put out a notice that officials were taking actions at its Susquehanna nuclear power plant, located about seven miles north of Berwick, to stop a Freon vapor leak from a chiller system in the Unit 1 reactor building.

They issued an “alert” — the second lowest of the four emergency classifications established by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission for nuclear power plants. PPL said the alert came out because Freon — a refrigerant used for cooling — was leaking in an area containing plant safety systems…….
The Federal Emergency Management Agency reports that nearly 3 million Americans live within 10 miles of an operating nuclear power plant.

Although the Nuclear Regulatory Commission monitors these facilities closely, accidents are always possible. Dangerous levels of radiation could come our way.

If that were the case, authorities would activate warning sirens or another approved alert method and instruct citizens through the Emergency Alert System (EAS) on local television and radio stations on protection methods.

Tuesday’s incident at the Susquehanna plant raised some concerns. It also reminded us that there’s always a threat of a nuclear disaster….

Our View: Nuclear threats close to home – Honesdale, PA – Wayne Independent

August 12, 2010 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | safety, USA | antinuclear, nuclear, nuclear secrecy, nuclear spin, radiation, radioactive, reactors