ARGENTINA: Nuclear Plant Confirms Leak

By Marcela Valente Reprint | | Print |

Marcela Valente

BUENOS AIRES, Jul 3 1996 (IPS) - Authorities at the Embalse nuclear centre in Argentina admitted Tuesday there had been an “operative incident” which forced the centre to close Sunday, but played down the extent of the event.

The radioactivity protection system detected “a small increase in tritium levels in the light water tanks used for various industrial services in the plant,” said a representative of the plant who asked to remain anonymous.

The unexpected discovery in Embalse, the most attractive part of the atomic network up for privatisation, meant “the right corresponding corrective measures” had to be taken.

Embalse, sited in Cordoba, in Central Argentina, is one of the three nuclear centres in the nation waiting for privatisation, along with Atucha I and Atucha II.

It is considered the most attractive part of the sytem on offer as it is the newest plant, even though at more than 10 years old, it already needs extensive repair work.

Tritium is a carcinogenous radioisotope which generates malformations if it is released into the atmosphere in its gas or liquid form, according to studies presented with the Environmental Defence Foundation denunciation Tuesday.

A representative from the nuclear centre said “there was no risk of radioactivity” affecting the personnel as the drinking water had not been affected, though mineral water was being bought in as a precautionary measure.

However, both the person who reported the leak and the company owning the plant, Nucleoelectrica Argentina S.A., created under the Energy Secretariat, said the contaminated water was the “running water” used in the plant.

In any case, the Embalse representative recognised that “it is not normal” that tritium be found in the light water tanks, although this time round the contaminant was found in “minimal concentrations, far lower than the levels authorised by the National Nuclear Regulating Body.”

The Environmental Defence Foundation also complained of the absence of warnings given to plant employees on the possible dangers of drinking the water.

The Centre representative stated the plant had not been out of service since the weekend because of the accident, but for “technical repairs in the steam generators” along with “minor maintenance work.”

Meanwhile, the Foundation said the closure of the plant was a consequence of the leak of tritium three which occurred in the refrigeration circuit at the heart of the centre through a small perforation in one of the fission conduits.

The workers suspected the purchasing of mineral water may indicate problems, but the first warnings they were given came from the Foundation and not their employers. They are now concerned about how they may have been affected by the water.

Last Friday, the Association of State Workers had warned of the need to push ahead with the revision of the plant, to prevent putting the workers and the population at large at risk.

“Embalse is being submitted to strong productive pressure to make it attractive to those who may eventually be interested in the concession,” said Juan Villalonga, Greenpeace nuclear expert, to IPS, explaining that control was delayed to avoid investors becoming aware of any problems.

The privatisation of Argentine nuclear power will allow the government to bring in some 600 million dollars, but the project, supported by the Economy Ministry, is still working its way through congress where it is meeting strong resistence.