Lessons learned from the Fukushima nuclear accident for improving safety of U.S. nuclear plants

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

National Research Council; Division on Earth and Life Studies; Nuclear and Radiation Studies Board

National Research Council (U.S.) Committee on Lessons Learned from the Fukushima Nuclear Accident for Improving Safety and Security of U.S. Nuclear Plants., Corporate Author.

Contributor:

National Research Council

National Research Council (U.S.) Nuclear and Radiation Studies Board, Content Provider.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Nuclear power plants--Security measures--Japan.

Nuclear power plants.

Nuclear reactor accidents--Risk assessment--Safety measures.

Nuclear reactor accidents.

Risk Management.

Safety.

Organization and Administration.

Accidents.

Public Health.

Accident Prevention.

Health Services Administration.

Delivery of Health Care.

Environment and Public Health.

Safety Management.

Radioactive Hazard Release.

Medical Subjects:

Risk Management.

Safety.

Organization and Administration.

Accidents.

Public Health.

Accident Prevention.

Health Services Administration.

Delivery of Health Care.

Environment and Public Health.

Safety Management.

Radioactive Hazard Release.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (395 pages)

Edition:

1st ed.

Place of Publication:

[Place of publication not identified] The National Academies Press 2014

Language Note:

English

Summary:

"The March 11, 2011, Great East Japan Earthquake and tsunami sparked a humanitarian disaster in northeastern Japan. They were responsible for more than 15,900 deaths and 2,600 missing persons as well as physical infrastructure damages exceeding 200 billion dollars. The earthquake and tsunami also initiated a severe nuclear accident at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station. Three of the six reactors at the plant sustained severe core damage and released hydrogen and radioactive materials. Explosion of the released hydrogen damaged three reactor buildings and impeded onsite emergency response efforts. The accident prompted widespread evacuations of local populations, large economic losses, and the eventual shutdown of all nuclear power plants in Japan. Lessons Learned from the Fukushima Nuclear Accident for Improving Safety and Security of U.S. Nuclear Plants is a study of the Fukushima Daiichi accident. This report examines the causes of the crisis, the performance of safety systems at the plant, and the responses of its operators following the earthquake and tsunami. The report then considers the lessons that can be learned and their implications for U.S. safety and storage of spent nuclear fuel and high-level waste, commercial nuclear reactor safety and security regulations, and design improvements. Lessons Learned makes recommendations to improve plant systems, resources, and operator training to enable effective ad hoc responses to severe accidents. This report's recommendations to incorporate modern risk concepts into safety regulations and improve the nuclear safety culture will help the industry prepare for events that could challenge the design of plant structures and lead to a loss of critical safety functions. In providing a broad-scope, high-level examination of the accident, Lessons Learned is meant to complement earlier evaluations by industry and regulators. This in-depth review will be an essential resource for the nuclear power industry, policy makers, and anyone interested in the state of U.S. preparedness and response in the face of crisis situations."-- Publisher's description.

Contents:

Background on Japanese and U.S. Nuclear Plants

Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami and Impacts on Japanese Nuclear Plants

Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Accident

Lessons Learned: Plant Operations and Safety Regulations

Lessons Learned: Offsite Emergency Management

Lessons Learned: Nuclear Safety Culture

References

Appendix A: Biographical Sketches of Committee, Technical Advisor, and Staff

Appendix B: Presentations, Breakout Sessions, and Visits

Appendix C: Detailed Accident Time Line

Appendix D: Operation and Support Organizations

Appendix E: Recommendations from Other Organizations

Appendix F: Regulator and Industry Actions in the United States

Appendix G: Hydrogen Control in Severe Accidents

Appendix H: Nuclear Plant Emergency Procedures and Guidelines

Appendix I: Probabilistic Risk Assessment

Appendix J: Human Reliability Analysis

Appendix K: Tsunami Hazards in the Atlantic Ocean Basin

Appendix L: Factoring the Costs of Severe Nuclear Accidents into Backfit Decisions

Appendix M: Access to Timely and Reliable Information to Support Decision Making During a Nuclear Power Plant Accident

Appendix N: Conversions and Units

Appendix O: Acronyms.

Notes:

Bibliographic Level Mode of Issuance: Monograph

ISBN:

0-309-27256-4

0-309-27254-8