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Title: Restart of the Armenia-2 Nuclear Power Station: Radiological emergency preparedness considerations for the nearby American community

Journal Article · · Health Physics
OSTI ID:394049
 [1];  [2]
  1. Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA (United States)
  2. Dept. of Energy, Germantown, MD (United States)

The Armenia Nuclear Power Station is located at Metsamor, approximately 30 km NW of the capital, Yerevan. The station, a two-unit, first-generation Soviet-designed VVER-440/270 pressurized water reactor plant was closed following the 1988 earthquake near Spitak. Because of a severe energy shortage the Government of Armenia has undertaken a program to recommission Unit 2. The plant design and circumstances surrounding its closure caused members of the U.S. Embassy staff and the American community in Armenia to express concerns for their safety in the event of a radiological emergency. In response, two representatives from the U.S. Department of Energy`s International Nuclear Safety Program traveled to Armenia to review the Status of radiological emergency preparedness, meet with the American community, and make protective action recommendations. In this presentation we examine the major issues associated with recommissioning of Armenia-2, the challenges involved with developing a radiological emergency preparedness program for the American community, and our recommendations for protective actions in the absence of a strong communications and radiological monitoring infrastructure.

OSTI ID:
394049
Report Number(s):
CONF-9607135-; ISSN 0017-9078; TRN: 96:028727
Journal Information:
Health Physics, Vol. 70, Issue Suppl.6; Conference: 41. Annual Meeting of the Health Physics Society, Seattle, WA (United States), 21-25 Jul 1996; Other Information: PBD: Jun 1996
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English