Laka Foundation

Publication Laka-library:
An Investigation into the Hazards Associated with the Maritime Transport of Spent Nuclear Reactor Fuel to the British Isles (1980)

AuthorGreenpeace UK, Political Ecology Research Group
Date1980
Classification 6.01.8.70/14 (TRANSPORTS - OTHER COUNTRIES - FROM & TO REPROCESSING PLANT (INCL. PU & HAVA))
Front

From the publication:

AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE HAZARDS ASSOCIATED WITH THE MARITIME
TRANSPORT OF SPENT NUCLEAR REACTOR FUEL TO THE BRITISH ISLES

An interim report of research undertaken for Greenpeace UK

Abstract

Interim results are presented from an investigation into the potential hazard from
maritime transport of spent reactor fuel. From a review of official safety studies
the most severe accident is identified as a prolonged shipboard fire of 9 hours or
more. According to studies performed for the International Atomic Energy Agency
by the Batelle Laboratories such a fire could fail all fuel elements and release
volatile radionuclides such as caesium to the environment. The consequences of
such an accident are investigated for a release to the Irish Sea from a fire damaged
vessel. Consequences are analysed for a release to the continental shelf waters
following sinking, and also for an atmospheric release close to a conurbation.
The port of Barrow is taken as an example. The report concludes that either of
these events could have catastrophic consequences: the Irish Sea might have
to be closed to fisheries and in the case of an atmospheric release large scale
evacuation would be necessary to prevent loss of life.

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