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LOUISA
Dominion Virginia Power is seeking the source of leaking radioactivity at its North Anna nuclear power plant after an elevated level of tritium was detected in groundwater.
Company spokesman Rick Zuercher tells the Richmond Times-Dispatch that the plant's two reactors aren't the source of the leak.
The company told the Nuclear Regulatory Commission on Tuesday that tritium in water taken from an on-site sampling well was more than twice the federal standard for drinking water. The company says the contaminated water is not leaking off-site.
Dominion Virginia Power also told the commission that there's no evidence the leak is related to last year's 5.8-magnitude earthquake.
The commission says the radiation isn't a hazard to the public.
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One solar flare
One solar flare could knock out the U.S. power grid causing all the nuclear plants in the U.S. to melt down in a few days. The last time we had a flare like this was 1859....the so called Carrington Event. Telegraph offices caught fire from the power surge. Such an event will happen again. It is not a question of if, but when.
Just some info
Tritium is naturally occurring, but it is very rare. Almost all tritium is created as a byproduct of the fission process (hydrogen absorbs a neutron, becomes deuterium...absorbs another neutron becomes tritium). Tritium when ingested can be hazardous (at what levels I don't know but I'm sure its well above 2X the federal limit) but due to its short biological half-life its effects are mitigated. Let's hope they are able to find and fix the source soon.
Amid the cacophany of luddites...
...it should be noted: Kudos to Dominion for maintaining the monitoring wells and self-reporting a potential problem, and initiating a thorough investigation toward the cause. Tritium may be a byproduct of processing, but more likely is a naturally occurring phenomenon. Kind of like elemental uranium in the soil. There is a reason they are called "elements."
Anyone could sample their yard (groundwater - NOT drinking water) for same; you may be surprised at what is naturally there.
Finally, 2X an artificially low limit is insignificant, but worth monitoring...which is what is being done.
Relax.
Tritium is a radioactive
Tritium is a radioactive isotope of hydrogen, and is not normally found in nature. The likely source is either the reactors or spent fuel rod storage. Even so, I think this is preferable to enriching the Middle East oil countries who hate us and wish us dead.
Nothing can possible go wrong
Nuclear power, where nothing can possible go wrong, go wrong, go wrong, go wrong.....
So which is it?
"The company told the Nuclear Regulatory Commission on Tuesday that tritium in water taken from an on-site sampling well was more than twice the federal standard for drinking water."
"The commission says the radiation isn't a hazard to the public."
Ummmm, so which is it? We have 2x the 'Federal Standard'... Nevermind, I just answered my own question...
*Sigh*
Winks...
Let me see........Nuclear power plant and radioactive ground water/......no way related!
Cheers
I propose a toast (with Lake Anna Groundwater) to the people who want to cut the EPA rules for mining and regulations on environmentally hazardous materials! Drink Up!
The Republican Party
That would be the Republican Party. A toast to them!
things to consider...
Yea, because NO Democrat would ever vote for, support or even own/ run a Nuclear power plant… Might want to do a little fact checking, especially on the “own” part… lol
BTW, what is your solution? Solar, wind, coal, magic? All of these, except magic, have an environmental impact of some sort. And, Magic hasn't been perfected as of yet.
Or, giving you the benefit of the doubt, are you actually a non-hypocrite and don’t use any electricity.
Remember, that iPod, iPad, and or laptop has a VERY toxic battery that will need disposed of in the future and uses that nasty electricity to charge.
Ever complain about your electric bill?