Chinese Nuclear Plant 'Imminent Radiological Threat'

Chinese nuclear plant is “imminent radiological threat,” scientists warn

Ethan Huff 

The French nuclear power company Framatome has announced a “performance issue” at the Taishan Nuclear Power Plant in China, which it operates in partnership with the state-owned China General Nuclear Power Group (CGN).

In a highly unusual step, Framatome warned the United States government about an “imminent radiological threat” from the plant, which is located in the Guangdong province near Hong Kong.

With its parent company EDF on board, Framatome reassured American authorities that “the plant is operating within safety parameters,” however an “increase in the concentration of certain noble gases” has been detected within the primary circuit of the cooling system at one of the plant’s two nuclear reactors.

The message sent by the company to the Department of Energy (DoE) was supposedly more “alarming” than the statements the company issued on Sunday and Monday. This could explain why China was more reluctant to issue a response to the issue.

According to CNN, Framotome has accused Chinese safety officials of “raising the acceptable limits for radiation detection outside the Taishan Nuclear Power Plant in Guangdong province in order to avoid having to shut it down.”

If true, this definitely explains why China did not issue and response, and why it has simply continued on with business as usual. The rest of the world, however, is wondering if there might be something more serious going on for which we all deserve some answers.

“Concern was significant enough that the National Security Council held multiple meetings last week as they monitored the situation, including two at the deputy level and another gathering at the assistant secretary level on Friday, which was led by NSC Senior Director for China Laura Rosenberger and Senior Director for Arms Control Mallory Stewart, according to US officials,” CNN reported.