The China Syndrome . . . Fantasy or Reality?

Publisher:  Canadian Scientific Pollution and Environmental Control Society (SPEC), Vancouver, Canada
Resource Type:  Article
Cx Number:  CX1000

This pamphlet is a response to the movie "The China Syndrome." The movie, the pamphlet points out, deals with what could be an actual occurence. The subject of the movie is a complete core melt down in a nuclear reactor in which the fuel melts through the containment vessel dropping "towards China."

Abstract:  This pamphlet is a response to the movie "The China Syndrome." The movie, the pamphlet points out, deals with what could be an actual occurence. The subject of the movie is a complete core melt down in a nuclear reactor in which the fuel melts through the containment vessel dropping "towards China."

Two reasons are given for such a possible melt-down. The pamphlet says that both operational and construction problems are human error issues. Despite these problems, the B.C. government has made studies to determine where nuclear reactors might be build.

The pamphlet includes an outline of the phases of the nuclear fuel system. The phases are exploration, mining, milling enrichment and fuel fabrication, transportation, reprocessing, and waste. The various risks in each phase are noted so that the public may be informed about the whole nuclear fuel system.