The International Atomic Energy Agency defines a nuclear and radiation accident as “an event that has led to significant consequences to people, the environment or the facility”[1]. Events like these include reactor core meltdowns, leaks of radioactive waste into the ground or water supply, or highly fatal accidents. Since 1952 there have been 28 incidents at nuclear reactor facilities resulting in the loss of multiple lives or over $100-million in damage[2].
These disasters include:
The Three Mile Island Accident
The Chernobyl Disaster
The Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Disaster
(Composed by Dan Kervick, Edited by Becca McIver & Ivan Basurto)
References
- Staff, IAEA, AEN/NEA. International Nuclear and Radiological Events Scale Users’ Manual, 2008 Edition (PDF). Vienna, Austria: International Atomic Energy Agency. p. 184. Retrieved2010-07-26.[dead link]
- Benjamin K. Sovacool. A Critical Evaluation of Nuclear Power and Renewable Electricity in Asia Journal of Contemporary Asia, Vol. 40, No. 3, August 2010, pp. 393–400.