nuclear-news

Inquiry wanted into radiation contamination of Eskom nuclear workers

Eskom spokeswoman Karen de Villiers confirmed yesterday that 91 workers had tested positive for cobalt 58

(South Africa) DA calls for inquiry on Koeberg  Business Report, September 22, 2010By Florence de Vries The DA will ask for an inquiry into the matter that saw nearly 100 Eskom workers contaminated with a small amount of radiation while doing maintenance work at the Koeberg nuclear power plant near Cape Town last week.

Eskom spokeswoman Karen de Villiers confirmed yesterday that 91 workers had tested positive for cobalt 58 as they left Koeberg Unit One on September 12. De Villiers said an alarm had sounded when the workers left their work area……Van Dalen said Eskom had “mishandled” the situation and claimed it had made the situation out to be “normal”. He said the DA was launching a formal inquiry. “Even if the workers had received only 0.5 percent of the annual intake of radiation, one has to wonder why it was necessary to close the area for two days,” he said.

There were “concerns about the levels of education and training the workers had received”. Koeberg was “setting a precedent” in its response and the situation was being downplayed…..

Business Report – News – DA calls for inquiry on Koeberg

September 23, 2010 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | Uncategorized