Publication Laka-library:
The decommissioning of nuclear plants (1979)
| Author | IAEA |
| Date | December 1979 |
| Classification | 6.01.2.40/01 (DECOMMISSIONING) |
| Front | 
|
From the publication:
WHAT IS DECOMMISSIONING? Taking an industrial plant out of operation and shutting it down permanently is called "decommissioning". In the past factories and conventional power plants were simply demolished or converted to other uses when they became uneconomic or were worn out. Generally, no special care was taken to prevent hazardous materials from being spread into the environment once the plants had been torn down or abandoned. In some cases, these past practices have had serious local consequences. This stands in sharp contrast to the nuclear industry. In nuclear plants, the potential risk lies in the radioactivity of the materials to be handled. Because the risks of radiation have been understood from the outset, a comprehensive system of rules has been developed for avoiding or minimizing them. Similarly, procedures for decommissioning nuclear installations have been developed over the last 20 years, before they were required and with a knowledge of the risks and problems involved.
This publication is only available at Laka on paper, not as pdf.
You can borrow the publication or request a copy. When we're available, this is possible for a small fee.