14 DAY TRIAL // On July 7, eighteen tons of uranium solution containing natural uranium have been accidentally released in the surrounding environment from one of the containment tanks of the Tricastin nuclear power plant, southern France, leading to the contamination of the ground with about 75 kilograms of unenriched nuclear material. Initial estimations placed the total amount of uranium contained in the solution that leaked into the ground to about 380 kilograms.
The accident took place as a result of maintenance work on the containment system of the plant, which rendered the holding tank unoperating as it was filled. According to the official report, more than 30 tons of solution leaked from the tank. However, only 18 tons have contaminated the ground. Natural uranium presents little radioactivity, but is known as a highly toxic heavy element.
Measurements also showed that the Gaffiere and Lauzon rivers in the vicinity of the plant have been contaminated and have been cordoned off for drinking and watering purposes, as well as swimming, fishing and other related activities.
"Results from initial tests show there has been no impact at all on the environment, because the quantity of uranium was very small, in the order of a few hundred grammes," said the spokeswoman of the Nuclear Safety Authority, Evangelia Petit.
The Tricastin power plant, one of the largest such facilities in the world, produces nuclear fuel for 58 nuclear reactors in France, which generate up to 80 percent of the electricity of the country. Officials from Areva, the company running the power plant, say that their inspectors found that the spill did not reach the ground water since there are no signs of contamination.
The leak that occurred on July 7 was evaluated as a level-one incident. The French government said that all the nuclear facilities would undergo, in the following months, a series of tests to ensure that other leaks did not occur and that the environment hasn't been contaminated with radioactive material.