ML19289F912
| ML19289F912 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Crane  |
| Issue date: | 03/30/1979 |
| From: | NRC COMMISSION (OCM) |
| To: | |
| References | |
| PR-790330, NUDOCS 7906210119 | |
| Download: ML19289F912 (1) | |
Text
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{r,R"y; There have teen intermittent uncontmiled releases of radioactivity into the ate,osphere from the primary coolant system of Unit 2 of the Three P.ile Island fluclear Pcwer Plant near Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.
The licensee is attempting to stop the intermittent gaseous releases by tran: ferring the radioactive coolant water into the primary containment building. ' The levels of radioactivity being rmasured have been as high as 20 to 25 millirem per hour 1-che immediate vicinity of the site at ground level.
Of f-site levels.wera a few mill f roentgen.
At about 11:30 a.m. EST, the Chairr.an of the.'IRC has suggested to Go;ernor Thornburg of the Co=onwealth of Pennsylvania that pregnant women and pre-school children in an area within five miles of the plant site be evacuated.
F. embers of the fiRC technical staff are at the site and
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efforts to reduce the temperatures of the reactor fuel are continuing.
These temperatures have been coming down slowly and the final depres-surization af the reactor vessel has been delayed.
There is evidence of severe damage to the nuclear fuel.
Samples of primary coolant containing high-levels of radiciodine and instruments in the core indicate high fuel temperatures in som of the fuel bundles, and the presence of a large bubble of non-condensible gases in the top of the reactor vessel.
Because of these non-condensible gases, the possiblity..ists of interrupting coolant flow within the reactor when its pressure is,
further dech21 sed and the contained gases expand.
Several options to reach a final safe state for the fuel are under consideration.
In the meantim, the reactor is being maintained in a stable condition.
3/30/79 2:05 p.n.
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