The potential danger from a nuclear accident is exposure to radiation.Įxposure could result from the release of radioactive material from a nuclear plant into the environment, usually characterized by a plume (cloud-like formation) of radioactive gases and particles. The Chernobyl accident of 1986, which killed at least 31 people with radiation sickness, raised long-term cancer rates, and spewed radiation for hundreds of miles (kilometers), was ranked a Level 7.A partial meltdown at Three Mile Island also was ranked a Level 5.On March 26, 2011, this accident was upgraded to a Level 5 on a seven-level international scale, putting it on par with the Three Mile Island accident in Pennsylvania in 1979. However, health risks are at levelsįukushima Daiichi Nuclear Emergency Level Upgraded The nuclear safety agency reported an emergency at second reactor and have evacuated as many as 170,000 people from the areas around two nuclear power plants and the prime minister has warned residents living within 19 miles to stay inside or risk getting radiation sickness.Īfter the recent blast radiation detectors showed 11,900 microsieverts of radiation three hours after the blast, up from just 73 microsieverts beforehand. Japan declared states of emergency for five nuclear reactors at two power plants after the units lost cooling ability. MaFukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant in Japan confirmed a nuclear accident with resulting in an explosion and radiation leak in the waked of the 9.0 earthquake and major Tsunami that swept 6 miles inland. What to do if you are exposed? Famous Nuclear Accidents The second zone covers a broader area, usually up to a 50-mile radius from the plant, where radioactive materials could contaminate water supplies, food crops, and livestock. One zone covers an area within a 10-mile radius of the plant, where it is possible that people could be harmed by direct radiation exposure.The emergency response plans define two “emergency planning zones.” The United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission regulates commercial nuclear power plants within the US. Local and state governments, federal agencies, and the electric utilities have emergency response plans in the event of a nuclear incident. Nearly 3 million Americans live within 10 miles of an operating nuclear power plant. They operate in most states in the country and produce about 20 percent of the nation’s power. It is the by-product of this activity that creates the biggest hazard. Nuclear power plants use the heat generated from nuclear fission in a contained environment to convert water to steam, which powers generators to produce electricity. A nuclear accident is still possible even though the construction and operation of nuclear power plants are closely monitored and regulated by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC).
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