Michele Kearney's Nuclear Wire: U.K. Seen Downplaying Aircraft Threat to Nuclear Sites

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

U.K. Seen Downplaying Aircraft Threat to Nuclear Sites

The United Kingdom has understated the risk of aircraft hitting a nuclear facility, possibly freeing a deadly quantity of radioactive material, the London Guardian on Monday quoted opponents of a proposed airport expansion as saying (see GSN, Jan. 20, 2010).
An aircraft collision has "the potential to lead to significant radiological release," according to a 2007 report prepared for the United Kingdom's Health and Safety Executive by contracting firm ESR Technology. Atomic specialist John Large submitted a redacted version of the document to a public examination launched last week of a potential runway expansion at London Ashford Airport.