Dounreay plant under the Microscope

["Sandy Perle" <sandyfl@earthlink.net>]

	 Managers at the Dounreay nuclear plant in Scotland are
             bracing themselves for more criticism this week when
             the biggest audit in its 40-year history is published. 

             The audit was carried out by the Health and Safety
             Executive (HSE) this summer following several incidents,
             including a 16-hour power failure in the fuel cycle area
             after underground cables were cut. 

             Highly radioactive materials are manufactured,
             processed and recycled in the fuel cycle area. 

             The audit, which is published on Tuesday, is expected to
             call for a major review of working practices. Improvement
             notices have already been placed at the plant by the
             HSE. 

             A 1997 report on the fuel cycle area released in June by
             the HSE's Nuclear Installations Inspectorate criticised
             Dounreay on a variety of matters, including a lack of
             proper safety mechanisms and waste management
             strategies and problems with care and maintenance. 

             Just before the report was published, the government
             had stated that Dounreay would cease to process
             commercial nuclear waste. 

             Dounreay is now gradually being run down. Campaigners
             against nuclear fuel claim those living near nuclear
             plants may be at greater risk of developing cancer.

------------------
Sandy Perle
Technical Director
ICN Dosimetry Division
ICN Plaza
3300 Hyland Avenue
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
Office: (800) 548-5100 x2306 
Fax:    (714) 668-3149
  
sandyfl@earthlink.net
sperle@icnpharm.com

ICN Dosimetry Website:
http://www.dosimetry.com

Personal Website:
http://www.geocities.com/CapeCanaveral/1205

"The object of opening the mind, as of opening 
the mouth, is to close it again on something solid"
              - G. K. Chesterton -

The opinions expressed are solely, absolutely, positively, definitely those of the author, and NOT my employer
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