No cause for public concern, after Koeberg radiation incidents, says NNR

The National Nuclear Regulator (NNR) says there was no danger to people or the environment as it investigates three radioactive contamination incidents at Eskom’s Koeberg Nuclear Power Station.

The regulator confirmed that the “elevated airborne radioactive contamination” incidents occurred on 30 June, 2 and 7 July, inside Koeberg’s Unit 2 reactor building. This, it said, was due to a loss of power to portable ventilation units during maintenance work.

The NNR stressed that the incidents were contained within the reactor building.

“It is important to note that the contamination was confined to controlled areas within the reactor building and did not constitute a release of radioactive material to the environment,” the regulator said.

The NNR also dismissed concerns that members of the public had been exposed to radiation.

“No unplanned release of radioactive material to the environment occurred and no members of the public were exposed as a result of these events,” it said.

The regulator further noted that workers who may have been affected were assessed and the results showed “very low levels of internal contamination”.

“This dose [of approximately 1 microsievert (μSv)] is significantly below the occupational dose limits prescribed in South African regulatory requirements and is also substantially lower than the average annual natural background radiation exposure received by members of the public.”

The NNR maintained that the incidents did not meet the criteria to be classified as an emergency and “did not result in any off-site radiological consequences”.

It added that Eskom’s reports are being reviewed and that it is looking into the loss of power to the ventilation units, as it investigates the “events”.

“At present, based on the information available to the NNR, there is no indication of any radiological impact on the public or the environment arising from these events. The NNR will continue to maintain oversight of Koeberg’s operations and will take all necessary regulatory measures to ensure the continued protection of workers, the public, property and the environment.”