FRENCH NUKE LEAKS: HOW MANY IS TOO MANY?

Whenever the nuclear industry wants to trumpet its safety and practicality, it always points to France. The industry can’t repeat often enough how France gets 80% of its energy from nuclear power and has never suffered from the potential dangers.

Yeah, well, here’s the thing: When an industry’s motto is, “What THEY don’t know can’t come back to bite US in the butt,” there’s no end to what it will say.

Deeds speak louder than words.

A nuclear fuel processing site spilled uranium into a nearby river July 7.

From Reuters: “Nuclear safety authority [Autorité De Sûreté Nucléaire, ASN] criticized Areva for its handling of the incident, notably in the way in which it communicated with authorities.”

A British paper reported that ASN found Areva had “delayed communication of the problem.”

But leaks of nuclear waste don’t stay hidden easily. During the investigation of the spill, a leak was found at another site. Two more leaks have turned up since.

Corinne Castanier, head, Independent Commission on Research and Information on Radioactivity (CRIIRAD): "In less than 15 days, the CRIIRAD has been informed of four malfunctions in four nuclear plants, leading to the accidental contamination of 126 workers…This is the first time I have seen so many people being contaminated in such a short period of time."

Maybe the first time but not necessarily the last. The occurrence of so many low-dose contaminations suggests some kind of ongoing problem. The contamination was below levels considered health-threatening under regulatory limits.

CRIIRAD website: "The regulatory limits for radiation... do not mean there is no risk but relate to a maximum risk level that can be permitted…"

How long will it be until the public is told of the cause of the contamination?

CRIIRAD was created in 1986, after the devastating incident at Chernobyl in Russia, when the French people were deceived into believing they were safe, wrongly told the Chernobyl radioactivity had not spread past Italy and told there were no safety measures needed in France.

From Reuters: “[Nuclear safety authority ASN] also pointed to unsatisfactory security measures and operational procedures” at the Tricastin site.

Areva fired the Tricastin director. Can’t wait to hear his statement.

From AFP: “[Jean-Louis Borloo, French Environment Minister] said that while there were "very, very tight controls" when it came to nuclear reactors, the safeguards appeared to be not as foolproof for treatment plants and other facilities.”

The whole business definitely leaves one uneasy about Areva’s management of the trumpeted “next generation nuclear technology” project, European Pressurize Reactor, already more than a year and a half behind schedule and at least 25% over budget.

click to enlarge

Too many French nuclear workers contaminated
Muriel Boselli (w/Francois Murphy), July 24, 2008 (Reuters)
and
French nuclear firm admits uranium leaks at two plants
Angelique Chirsafis, July 19, 2008 (UK Guardian)
and
New uranium leak discovered at French nuclear site
July 18, 2008 (AFP)
and
Checks ordered at French nuclear sites after leak
James Mackenzie (w/Jon Boyle), July 17, 2008 (Reuters)

WHO
French nuclear workers; Jean-Louis Borloo, Environment Minister, France; Corinne Castanier, head, Independent Commission on Research and Information on Radiocactivity (CRIIRAD); Areva

WHAT
- 30 cubic metres of liquid containing 12 grams of non-enriched uranium per litre was accidentally poured on to the ground and into a river at the Tricastin nuclear site when a tank was being cleaned. Subsequent checks are turning up disturbing findings.
- A leak was found at the Romans-sur-Isère nuclear site.

Dr. Caldicott has the right prescription...(click to enlarge)

WHEN
- The Tricastin incident occurred July 7.
- The Romans-sur-Isère leak is thought to be from a pipe that may have been broken for “years.”
- In all of 2007: 86 level one incidents, fewer than 100 workers contaminated.

WHERE
- Tricastin is in the southeastern Vaucluse area of France.
- Romans-sur-Isère is in the southeastern Drôme region.

WHY
- The plants and nuclear sites are operated by French multinational energy giant Areva.
- In the wake of the Tricastin incident, drinking well water, swimming and water sports were banned. Irrigating crops with potentially contaminated water was stopped.
- Both leaks ranked as a level-one incidents on the seven-point scale of nuclear accidents.
- On July 23, 126 workers were found contaminated with low doses of radiation, suggesting ongoing problems.
- There are incidental reports of worsening morale and increasing tensions in France’s nuclear facilities.

...Though Dr. Lovins has pronounced the patient not worth reviving. (click to enlarge)

QUOTES
- Jean-Louis Borloo, Environment Minister: "The committee will follow the consequences of the incident, especially at the local level…But I want it to look at the radioactivity and environmental situation at all nuclear sites and I particularly want the state of the ground water tables around all French nuclear stations to be looked at…We have to carry out a review of the sites and I expect an analysis from the committee…"