28 March 1979 - Equipment failures, poor user interface design, and worker mistakes contributed to a loss of coolant and a partial core meltdown at the Three Mile Island Nuclear Generating Station 15 km (9.3 mi) southeast of Harrisburg. While the reactor was extensively damaged, on-site radiation exposure was under 100 millirems (less than annual exposure due to natural sources). Area residents received a smaller exposure of 1 millirem (10 μSv), or about 1/3 the dose from eating a banana per day for one year. There were no fatalities. Follow-up radiological studies predict between zero and one long-term cancer fatality.
Written by Nik Frost
Discuss this with the author and others
No comments yet. Be the first to start the conversation.
We use cookies for analytics, to understand how the site is used. Necessary cookies for sign-in and language always stay on. Privacy policy
Written by Nik Frost
Discuss this with the author and others
No comments yet. Be the first to start the conversation.