Antinuclear

Radiation chemical spill at Lucas Heights nuclear reactor

Staff not evacuated after spill at Lucas Heights  THE AUSTRALIAN October 21, 2009 Australian Associated Press OPERATORS at Sydney’s Lucas Heights nuclear reactor were not evacuated after a radiation chemical spill, a Senate committee has heard. An internal audit conducted by the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation found safety procedures were breached in August 2008 after a vial of molybdenum 99 – used in the production of nuclear medicine – was dislodged.

Asked by Australian Greens senator Scott Ludlam if the molybdenum was left unreported for three hours, ANSTO chief executive Adi Paterson said the organisation’s report had referred to this incident………..

A spokesman for Senator Ludlam said that if safety procedures could not be followed at Australia’s nuclear reactor, “God help” Australia if ANSTO was put in charge of a full scale nuclear power facility.

Staff not evacuated after spill at Lucas Heights | The Australian

October 21, 2009 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | 1, New South Wales, safety, uranium | ANSTO, antinuclear, Australia, nuclear, nuclear wastes, radioactive, uranium