Monday, January 12, 2015

Radioactive tritium leak reported at TVA nuclear plant in northern Alabama

Radioactive tritium leak reported at TVA nuclear plant in northern Alabama

Posted: Jan 12, 2015 7:53 AM PSTUpdated: Jan 12, 2015 3:39 PM PST
 
The TVA Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant in Alabama.
The TVA Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant in Alabama.
ATHENS, AL (AP) - A Chattanooga newspaper reports that radioactive water leaked from a tank at an Alabama nuclear plant, releasing tritium into the environment.
The report said that the leak occurred last week at the Browns Ferry Nuclear Power Plant near Athens, Alabama.
A spokesman for the Tennessee Valley Authority, which operates the plant, said the leak was quickly contained and presented no public risk.
The TVA said a drain line leaked 100 to 200 gallons of water containing tritium levels above acceptable drinking water standards.
In a report to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, the TVA said it increased monitoring of water around the plant but hasn't detected elevated tritium levels outside the plant.
Tritium is a radioactive form of hydrogen that occurs in nature and also as a byproduct of nuclear fission.

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