Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
%
of natural radiation), while those close to the reactor
(close is not well de
million people in the region was
mR (less than
.
ned in the report) received expos-
ures of about
mR. The maximum exposure to any one
person totaled
mR (less than half of natural radi-
ation).
These numbers are so small compared with years
of exposure to natural radiation that there has been no
measurable effect on the regional cancer rate.
The consequences of TMI to the nuclear power indus-
try were profound. Many orders for new reactors were
canceled and no
firm new reactor orders were placed in
the United States until recently (four are now under
construction). Public attitudes toward nuclear energy
shifted with approval ratings dropping to about
% until
recently, when they have begun to be more favorable.
More important for the future were the actions of the
Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). Design changes
were mandated in all reactors then under construction
and all operating reactors had to have retro
t programs
approved. During this period of change, construction
time for new nuclear plants stretched out to
years from
the
years that had been the norm before. The cost
of construction rose dramatically because of the delays,
possibly spawning the notion that nuclear power is more
expensive than others.
The period from
to
was a time of turmoil in
the nuclear power industry as it argued with the NRC
to
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission
s website has a summary of
the TMI accident report. Go to
http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/
doc-collections/fact-sheets/
'
mile-isle.html
to see it.
