Feds Investigate Vermont Radiation Leak
WPTZ-TV
October 21, 2008
Area: Boston (Manchester)
VERNON, Vermont - Federal regulators are investigating the cause of radiation exposure that forced the evacuation of 25 workers at the Vermont Yankee nuclear power plant.
The unsafe levels of radiation were released on Monday while the cover of a reactor vessel was being removed for refueling. The cover was placed too close to a fan that spread airborne contaminants.
Entergy Nuclear spokesman Robert Williams said the workers were evacuated from the top floor of the reactor building for four hours, inspected for contamination and later went back to work.
The incident happened during the nuclear plant's regular refueling and maintenance outage, which is scheduled to last three weeks.
Nuclear Regulatory Commission spokesman Neil Sheehan said the incident is being investigated.
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