Nuclear power after Chernobyl

Journal Article · Fri May 08 04:00:00 EDT 1987 · Science (Washington, D.C.); (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1126/science.3576192· OSTI ID:6520608

Ahearne, J F

The causes and progress of the accident at Chernobyl are described, and a comparison between the Chernobyl accident and the 1979 accident at the Three Mile Island nuclear power station is made. Significant similarities between Chernobyl and Three Mile Island include complacency of operators and industry, deliberate negation of safety systems, and a lack of understanding of their plant on the part of the operators, which shows the critical importance of the human element. The Chernobyl accident has implications for nuclear power in the United States; it will affect the research program of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, regulation of Department of Energy reactors, new reactor designs, and public attitudes.

• Research Organization: Resources for the Future, Washington, DC
• OSTI ID: 6520608
• Journal Information: Science (Washington, D.C.); (United States), Journal Name: Science (Washington, D.C.); (United States) Vol. 4802; ISSN SCIEA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS
220900* -- Nuclear Reactor Technology-- Reactor Safety
ACCIDENTS
ASIA
AUSTRIA
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
EASTERN EUROPE
ENERGY
ENRICHED URANIUM REACTORS
EUROPE
NUCLEAR ENERGY
POWER REACTORS
PWR TYPE REACTORS
REACTOR ACCIDENTS
REACTOR SAFETY
REACTORS
SAFETY
THERMAL REACTORS
THREE MILE ISLAND-2 REACTOR
USSR
WATER COOLED REACTORS
WATER MODERATED REACTORS
WESTERN EUROPE