Friday, June 16, 2006

Australian Nuke Plant Mishaps Give Rise to Concerns

Via UPI.

Concerns have been raised about worker safety at Australia's sole nuclear power plant after three incidents in 24 hours.

The Australian reported on June 16 that one worker was sent to the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital after radioactive material splashed into his eye, while another worker at the plant was exposed when radioactive material splashed his garments and boots.

The Lucas Heights nuclear reactor was forced to ration supplies of an isotope used for medical scans after an earlier accident halted production, halving the weekly shipments of diagnostic isotopes to hospitals in Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth and Brisbane.

A week ago a pipe ruptured about one third of a mile from the reactor, expelling a plume of radioactive gas into the atmosphere. Lucas Heights officials insisted that the "puff of gas" was harmless to the public.

More here.

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