Nuclear Power Plants

Preparedness for commercial nuclear power plants includes a system for notifying the public if a problem occurs at a plant. The emergency classification level of the problem is defined by these four categories:
 

• Notification of Unusual Event is the lowest classification, and means that a minor plant event, either an operational event or security threat. Has occurred, but no radiation release is expected. No action by the public is necessary.
• Alert is declared when an actual or potential reduction in the plant’s safety level or a security event that could threaten site personnel or damage plant equipment. No radiation release is expected.
• Site Area Emergency is declared when major safety equipment either has failed or is deemed likely to fail. There is the potential for a minor radiation release that would not exceed Environmental Protection Agency Protective Action Guidelines (PAGs) beyond the site boundary. No action by the public is necessary.
• General Emergency is the most serious of the four classifications. If such an event occurs, radiation could be released that would travel beyond the site boundary. State and local authorities will take action to protect the residents living near the plant.

Emergency Response Plans

Federal, State and local officials work together to develop site-specific emergency response plans for nuclear power plant accidents. These plans are tested through exercises that include protective actions for the general public and special populations.

The plans also delineate evacuation routes, reception centers for radiological monitoring and location of congregate care centers for temporary lodging.

Emergency Planning Zone

State and local governments, with support from the Federal government and utilities, develop plans that include a “plume emergency planning zone” with a radius of 10 miles from the plant, and an “ingestion planning zone” within a radius of 50 miles from the plant.

Residents within the 10-mile emergency planning zone are regularly disseminated emergency information materials (via brochures, the phone book, calendars, utility bills, etc.). These materials contain educational information on radiation, instructions for evacuation and sheltering, special arrangements for special needs populations, contacts for additional information, etc. Residents should be familiar with these emergency information materials.

Emergency Alerts and Notifications

Radiological emergency plans call for a prompt Alert and Notification system. If needed, this prompt Alert and Notification System will be activated quickly to inform the public of any potential threat from natural or man-made events. This system uses either sirens, tone alert radios, route alerting (the “Paul Revere” method), or a combination to notify the public to tune their radios or television to an Emergency Alert System (EAS) station.
The EAS stations will provide information and emergency instructions for the public to follow. If you are alerted, tune to your local EAS station which includes radio stations, television stations, NOAA weather radio, and the cable TV system.

Special Needs Persons

Plans are in place to assist and care for persons with disabilities and access/functional needs. If you or someone you know lives within 10 miles of a nuclear facility, and would need help in an emergency, please notify and register with your local emergency management agency. Adequate assistance will be provided during an emergency.

Radiation is energy given off by matter in the form of rays or high-speed particles. All matter is composed of atoms. Atoms are made up of various parts; the nucleus contains minute particles called protons and neutrons, and the atom’s outer shell contains other particles called electrons. The nucleus carries a positive electrical charge, while the electrons carry a negative electrical charge. These forces within the atom work toward a strong, stable balance by getting rid of excess atomic energy (radioactivity). In that process, unstable nuclei may emit a quantity of energy, and this spontaneous emission is what we call radiation.

There are many familiar forms of radiation. For example, we use light, heat, and microwaves every day. Doctors use x-rays to see inside our bodies. Radio and television waves bring us our favorite shows. All of these are forms of radiation. Radiation is also naturally present in our environment, as it has been since before the birth of this planet. The sun and stars send a constant stream of cosmic radiation to Earth, much like a steady drizzle of rain. Also, the Earth itself is a source of terrestrial radiation. Radioactive materials (including uranium, thorium, and radium) exist naturally in soil and rock. Essentially all air contains radon, water contains small amounts of dissolved uranium and thorium, and all organic matter (both plant and animal) contains radioactive carbon and potassium. In addition, all people have internal radiation, mainly from radioactive potassium-40 and carbon-14 inside their bodies from birth and, therefore, are sources of exposure to others.

In medicine, radioactive materials are used for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. Similarly, in biological and biomedical research, they are used to test new drugs and to study cellular functions and bone formation in mammals. In addition, radioactive materials are used in various industrial applications to protect food and blood supplies, increase the safety of roads and buildings, locate new energy sources, light emergency exits, warn of fires, and more. All users must be licensed by the NRC or by “Agreement States” authorized by the NRC.

One could think of radioactive materials as a knife. Used and stored properly, a knife can help us prepare and eat food; misused, it can cause injury and possibly death. Similarly, when handled correctly, radioactive materials have many beneficial medical, industrial, and academic uses.