91999E1868

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1868/99

by Antonio Tajani (PPE-DE), Stefano Zappalà (PPE-DE) and Giuseppe Nisticò (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(14 October 1999)

Subject: Radioactive leak at the Tokaimura power station in Japan

Will the Commission evaluate and provide information as soon as possible on the risks posed to the population and the environment by the uranium leak at the Tokaimura nuclear power station in Japan on 30 September 1999, given that initial estimates suggest that the level of radiation in the vicinity of the plant is fifteen thousand times higher than normal?

What steps will it take to monitor the situation in Europe to avoid a repeat of previous disasters such as the Chernobyl accident (1986) and what preventive measures has it taken or does it plan to take with regard to other nuclear power stations which could pose a threat to the health of European citizens?

Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(20 December 1999)

The facility in which the accident occurred at Tokai Mura in Japan on 30 September 1999 is a plant involved in the preparation of nuclear fuel. It is not a nuclear power plant nor is it, as often incorrectly identified, a reprocessing plant.

The Commission has been in close contact with the Japanese authorities and with the International atomic energy agency (IAEA) concerning the evaluation of the accident and its impact on the population and the environment. The IAEA has recently published a preliminary report on the subject. This identifies human error and the flouting of safety regulations as the main cause of the criticality accident.

Information available to date shows that radiation levels monitored at the boundary of the site rose to over one thousand times normal background during the period of criticality, but returned to or near background levels the following day. Almost 100 people have been identified as having received enhanced exposure to gamma and neutron radiation. With a few exceptions, they are employees of the plant or emergency personnel. It is reported that very small quantities of radionuclides were released from the site and that none have been detected in local farm products.

The Commission will continue to examine carefully the reports on the accident, in particular to see what lessons can be learned to improve further nuclear safety in Europe.

It appears that inadequate training and poorly qualified personnel were important factors in this accident. The Commission is preparing a study to examine the level of training in nuclear safety for operators and other workers in nuclear facilities in the Community. It is important to be sure that lack of knowledge of the hazards associated with nuclear technology will not put at risk the health of Europeans and that the situation is in conformity with relevant Community directives on the basic safety standards.

In addition, research on the organisation and management of safety in the nuclear sector is included in the research and training part of the Community's fifth framework programme(1). Research on nuclear reactor safety is also included in the programme.

(1) OJ C 173, 7.6.1997.