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Safety and Security

Safety of Plants

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Safety and Security

From the outset, there has been a strong awareness of the potential hazard of both nuclear criticality and release of radioactive materials. Both engineering and operation are designed accordingly.&nb...

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Safety and Security

Chernobyl Accident

The Chernobyl accident in 1986 was the result of a flawed reactor design that was operated with inadequately trained personnel. Two Chernobyl plant workers died on the night of the accident, and a fur...

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Safety and Security

Fukushima Daiichi Accident

This information paper describes in detail the causes of the nuclear accident at Fukushima Daiichi in March 2011 and the actions taken since.

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Safety and Security

Liability for Nuclear Damage

Operators of nuclear power plants are liable for any damage caused by them, regardless of fault. They therefore normally take out insurance for third party liability, and in most countries they are re...

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Safety and Security

Nuclear Power Plants and Earthquakes

Nuclear power plants are designed to withstand earthquakes, and in the event of major earth movement, to shut down safely.

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Safety and Security

Three Mile Island Accident

In 1979 a cooling malfunction caused part of the core to melt at Three Mile Island 2. The reactor was destroyed. Some radioactive gas was released a couple of days after the accident, but not enough t...

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Safety and Security

Tokaimura Criticality Accident

On 30 September 1999 three workers received high doses of radiation in a Japanese plant preparing fuel for an experimental reactor. Two of the doses proved fatal. The accident was caused by bringing t...

Radiation and Health

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Safety and Security

Radiation and Health Effects

Natural sources account for most of the radiation we all receive each year. Up to a quarter originates mainly from medical procedures.

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Safety and Security

Occupational Safety in Uranium Mining

There has been more than 40 years of experience in applying international radiation safety regulations at uranium mines. Uranium mining companies have taken steps to reduce radiation doses wherever an...

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Safety and Security

Naturally-Occurring Radioactive Materials NORM

Radioactive materials which occur naturally and where human activities increase the exposure of people to ionising radiation are known by the acronym 'NORM'. NORM results from activities ...

Non-Proliferation

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Safety and Security

Safeguards to Prevent Nuclear Proliferation

Most countries participate in international initiatives designed to limit the proliferation of nuclear weapons. The international safeguards system has since 1970 successfully prevented the diversion ...

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Safety and Security

Hiroshima, Nagasaki, and Subsequent Weapons Testing

Two atomic bombs made from uranium-235 and plutonium-239 were dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki respectively early in August 1945. The atmospheric testing of some 545 nuclear weapons continued up...

Security

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Safety and Security

Security of Nuclear Facilities and Material

Nuclear security relates to the prevention and detection of, and response to, theft, sabotage, unauthorized access and illegal transfer or other malicious acts involving nuclear material and other rad...