On 16 March 2009 at approximately 10:00 am the National Nuclear Regulator received notification, from Necsa, that a site emergency had been declared at the Pelindaba site. The Necsa emergency controller further informed us that the incident did not pose any immediate threat to the public and workers at the facilities.
Necsa further informed the National Nuclear Regulator that this event was associated with the release of the noble gases, Krypton and Xenon from the Necsa facility used for the manufacture of medical isotopes.
In accordance with Necsa’s emergency plan the site gates were closed and as a precautionary measure all onsite personnel were mustered at designated points and found to be safe and accounted for. The site emergency was called off at approximately 10:50 am after it had been determined that the situation had returned to normal.
Following the reporting of the event the National Nuclear Regulator visited the site and is currently investigating the cause of this event. The National Nuclear Regulator has, however, verified that this radioactive release was within the allowable operational discharge regulatory limits and has given reassurance that there was no danger to the Necsa workers and the public.
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For more information
Gino Moonsamy
Manager: Stakeholder Relations and Corporate Communications
The National Nuclear Regulator – Ensuring sustainable nuclear regulatory
excellence
Tel: +27 12 674 7844
Mobile: 082 535 5365
Fax: +27 12 663 5513
Email:gmoonsamy@nnr.co.za |
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