Nuclear leak 'smaller than initially thought'

Source: Agencies  |   2008-7-10  |     NEWSPAPER EDITION

The Tricastin nuclear plant in Bollene, southern France, and the La Gaffiere river. Liquid containing traces of unenriched uranium leaked on Tuesday at the site, some of it running into two rivers, France's nuclear safety agency said. More in photo gallery

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FRENCH nuclear firm Areva said yesterday that a leak of liquid containing uranium from a site in southern France was smaller than initially thought.

Areva said late on Tuesday that 30 cubic metres of liquid containing uranium, which was not enriched, was accidentally poured on the ground and into a river at the Tricastin nuclear site.

"Thirty cubic meters was poured but part of it was caught by a security system, which means that only 18 cubic meters actually fell on the ground and in the water," a spokesman for Socatri, an Areva subsidiary, said.

The Prefecture of Vaucluse added that the leaked uranium should only be found in micrograms in river water. "The risk for the population is therefore low," the prefecture said.

The prefecture added that in surface waters the levels of uranium have remained far more than the norm, but had significantly diminished since the leak occurred. Tests carried out at local lakes showed no uranium contamination, meaning that 100 evacuated bathers have not been affected, the prefecture added.

As a precaution, the prefecture has banned all fishing, sailing and swimming in the affected area, as well as the use of affected waters for consumption or irrigation.