This Week in Nuclear Episode 80 – MP3 File
If you were watching CNN or ABC News last night and this morning you may have believed a major accident was underway at the Three Mile Island nuclear plant. Both news sources reported there had 
been a “radiation leak” at the plant and more than 100 workers were contaminated.
Both CNN and ABC News were blatantly wrong; there was not a “radiation leak” from the plant. What happened was a minor spread of radioactive dust and particles during maintenance activities inside the reactor building. Some workers in the vicinity got material on their clothes and skin that had to be washed off. The material was easily contained and there was no leak from the plant into the environment.
I first learned about this from April Schilpp, who I follow on Twitter. April is a communications specialist in Lancaster, PA.
In this podcast April and I discuss what happened, how the social media helped get the word out, and how the companies and other stakeholders could have used social media to keep the mainstream news sources honest.
#1 by Man Overboard on November 22, 2009 - 6:56 PM
Scaring the general public is great for headlines, that’s why. “Radiation” and “Three Mile Island” in one story? Too good for these vultures to pass up. Forget about little facts like the average congressman receive more radiation dose from the Granite in the capital building and the dose they receive on flights on their “fact finding” trips to Hawaii.
#2 by Simon Filiatrault on November 22, 2009 - 9:07 PM
What about the 92 dead miners in China in the coal mine yesterday?
http://tinyurl.com/ykpb6hs
#3 by John on November 22, 2009 - 11:34 PM
Thanks Simon,
You make an excellent point: the media is biased in how they choose to cover some news and how they chose NOT to cover other news.
I will use this example in an upcoming podcast.
John
#4 by Friakel Wippans on November 22, 2009 - 11:48 PM
That stuff is very much shouting fire in a crowded theater.
It’s time those news organizations suffer the consequences of this kind of negligent, callous and malicious “news reporting”.
#5 by Marcel F. Williams on November 23, 2009 - 3:52 AM
And the casualties continue to rise at Three Mile Island. So far no one has ever died there due to irradiation since the partial meltdown in 1979. Three Mile Island is the biggest non tragedy in the history of humanity!
29 people died in coal mining accidents in the US last year. Over 3000 people died in coal mining accidents in China last year. And coal plant pollution kills more than 30,000 Americans annually. Yet no one seems to care!
#6 by Simon Filiatrault on November 23, 2009 - 9:43 AM
Here’s the real report… No so scary after all…
http://www.world-nuclear-news.org/IT_Work_paused_at_Three_Mile_Island_2311091.html
Refuelling and steam generator replacement was disturbed on 21 November by the sounding of an airborne radiation alarm at Three Mile Island 1. About 150 workers went home early and some were checked for contamination after one of three detectors registered heightened levels of radioactivity. Plant owner Exelon said the levels remained below regulatory limits, while one worker was exposed to 16 mrem (0.16 mSv), less than 1% of the annual occupational dose limit of 2000 mrem (20 mSv). The alarm was one placed near a temporary opening in the containment building, made to allow the large steam generators to be moved inside, but a radiological survey showed the contamination was confined to internal surfaces only.
#7 by Simon Filiatrault on November 25, 2009 - 4:24 PM
John, the madness continues… Received from DemocracyNow email list
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*As U.S. Probes Radiation at Three Mile Island, Christian Parenti on Enduring “Zombie Nuke Plants” Nationwide*
Federal officials have launched an investigation of a radiation leak at the Three Mile Island nuclear power plant in Pennsylvania on Saturday. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission said about 175 workers were sent home when the contamination was detected. We speak to journalist Christian Parenti, who says “Zombie Nuke Plants” like Three Mile Island should have been closed long time ago, but continue to operate.
Listen/Watch/Read
http://www.democracynow.org/2009/11/25/as_us_probes_radiation_at_three