material. And still they have no answer.
* What has happened at Three Mile Island?
In short, the worst nuclear disaster - apart from the disasters Hiroshima and Nagasaki. If incie nave been no deans so far, that is because death from radiation Is short dramatic but slow lingering.
The Three Mile Island plant uses a pressurised water reactor (PWR) - that is, the reactor is cooled by water pumped round it at a high pressure. It is as safe as any nuclear installation.
What went wrong was not the failure of some sophisticated DEUCESS unknown substance but the breakdown of two pumping systems.
An emergency valve stuck allowing radioactive fluids to escape, and emergency core cooling system was accidentally switched off.
Supporters of nuclear power always use complicated statistics to show how improbable such a combination of failures would be. But it has happened.
* What did the failure of the cooling system mean?
It caused the fracture of one of the fuel rods - just about worst thing that happen. It took staff at the plant three hours to realise that somcing was wrong.
Then there was another unforeseen development - the formation of a bubble of gas in the top of the reactor unit.
* Do the US authorities know what to do?
No. Their computer has been working ever solutions but it hasn't yet come up with anything. two things they disperse the bubble. One is to let the gas out, but radiation and levels are so high that no-one and can get near enough to do that.
The other, which they have tried, is to disperse the bubble by pumping in cold water All that happened was that the bubble split in two, changing the balance of the gas and nearly causing explosion!
* What does this mean for the people of Pennsylvania?
Nobody really knows
certainly the authorities. It all depends on the WHICH and how radioactive material has been released into the atmosphere.
typical one spokesperson said: radiation level is what people would get if they played golf in the sunshine.' But golf courses are not usually evacuated or subject to curfew as soon as the sun comes out!
Another estimate was 'no more than you get in a dental X-ray'. Are there plans for the permanent abandonment of all dental surgeries?
If the nuclear core of the can reactor melts down - which is the worst possible outcome -there would be a major release of radioactive material. Ford Foundation reckons that this could cause 3,000 early deaths, 45,000 CaNC radiation sickness, 45,000 cases nuclear find There are can do to high pressure nuclear much complacency "The of cancer, and 30,000 genetic effects over 150 years.
* Could it happen here?
Yes. The British industry is strongly in favour of PWRs. Indeed the Three Mile Island reactor is one of the designs currently dered to the British Central Electricity Generating Board.
The nuclear stations carry this sort of risk. that wrong in Pennsvivania were simple mechanical devices like pumps and valves.
The complacency nuclear nuclear industry is Who would have being tenbreakdowns? power what went chance of profits.
were recently * What can be done about it?
of them.
capitalist exceeded only by its terrifying ignorance.
thought it possible to build a nuclear power station without being able to mend the most simple of that. this prepared to mortgage capitalism could do human life itself when there is a opposition Protective legislation is keep them. We are therefore special f2 for three Opposing the no confidence vote in parliament Callaghan called for a bolder socialist Name...
Rush subscriptions and Address. increased orders to us at PO Upper Street, £5 £2 £2185.55 useless. Five US nuclear plants closed down because of defective design.
Three Mile Island was not one It is the state, operating in interests, which directs nuclear policy. It has little concern for safety.
* How can we change that?
Lobbying has proven useless.
For example, there was little voted to go ahead with the SUBSCRIBE Domestic: 6 months, £5; 12 months, £10 Abroad: Airmail, £16.50. Surface, £10 per annum. Multi-reader institutions: double individual rate Special election domestic offer: £2 for 3 months Tenclose a donation for the Fighting Fund of...........
Cheques, POs and Money Orders should be made payable to "Socialist Challenge'. Complete and return to: Socialist Challenge, 328/9 Upper Street, London N1. Windscale fast breeder reactor.
The only way to fight state nuclear policy is through an uncompromising campaign of mass action which says: "Capitalism can never be entrusted with our safety. Stor all nuclear development now!
The next opportunity to do that will be from 4-7 May when there will be a mass 'festive gathering' at Torness in East Lothian against the proposed nuclear power station there. Details SCRAM, Ainslie Place, Edinburgh. 3-4 The Oval, London E2.
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people from the area of the leaking Pennsylvania nuclear plant. Up to 50,000 square miles could finally have to be abandoned to the wilderness for ever. The nuclear core of the reactor threatens to melt down, releasing an incredible amount of radioactive