Nuclear leak at Three Mile Island, Pennsylvania

Historical Context Note

Lucas Paul Richert (University of Saskatchewan)

The Literary Encyclopedia. Volume 3.2.4: American (US) Writing and Culture: Postwar and Contemporary, 1945-present.
Vol. editors: Sofia Ahlberg (Uppsala University), Patrick Chura (University of Akron), Emory Elliott (University of California, Riverside), Dale Enggass (University of Utah), Christopher Hugh Gair (University of Glasgow), Matthew Hofer (University of New Mexico), Stephen E. Meats (Pittsburg State University), Kerry Myler (Birmingham Newman University), Justin Parks (UiT - The Arctic University of Norway), Nick Selby (University of East Anglia)

Domains

Nuclear power

Dates

Date of occurrence 1979-03-28

Places

United States (Location)

Resources

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On 28 March, a nuclear reactor on Three Mile Island (Middleton, PA) suffered a near ‘meltdown’. More precisely, a series of equipment malfunctions and human errors prevented coolant from reaching the core and in turn allowed partial exposure of the nuclear core. According to authorities, only a small (negligible) amount of radioactive gases was released into the atmosphere. Thus, the health of the American population was not put in significant danger. Nevertheless, the accident at Three Mile Island led to major changes in the American nuclear power industry. Seven nuclear reactors were immediately closed until a thorough review of safety protocols was undertaken. All seven reactors were subsequently reopened. A moratorium was placed on the licensing of new reactors. And no new…

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144 words

Citation: Richert, Lucas Paul. "Nuclear leak at Three Mile Island, Pennsylvania". The Literary Encyclopedia. First published 01 October 2008 [https://www.litencyc.com/php/stopics.php?rec=true&UID=3691, accessed 07 May 2024.]

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