How far away from nuclear power plant is safe?

Currently, if a radiological emergency occurs, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission recommends that anyone living within 10 miles of a plant to tune in to their local radio or television Emergency Alert System and heed the instructions from state or local officials.

How far can radiation travel from a nuclear power plant explosion?

One zone covers an area within a 10-mile radius of the plant, where it is possible that people could be harmed by direct radiation exposure. The second zone covers a broader area, usually up to a 50-mile radius from the plant, where radioactive materials could contaminate water supplies, food crops, and livestock.

What to do if there is a nuclear power plant emergency?

During a Nuclear Power Plant Emergency Minimize your exposure by increasing the distance between you and the source of the radiation. This could be evacuation or remaining indoors to minimize exposure. If you are told to evacuate, keep car windows and vents closed; use re-circulating air.

Do you live 50 miles of a nuclear power plant?

If you live in the U.S., there’s a fairly decent chance you live near a nuclear power plant: More than 120 million Americans are within 50 miles of a reactor. A handy new interactive map from Esri calculates your exact distance from the nearest plants.

What happens if a nuclear plant explodes?

What happens when there is a nuclear power plant accident? A nuclear power plant uses uranium fuel to produce steam for generating electricity. If a nuclear power plant accident occurs, heat and pressure build up, and the steam, along with the radioactive materials, may be released.

Is it dangerous to live near a nuclear plant?

Let’s start with the obvious question: Is it safe to live near a nuclear plant? “Absolutely; study after study has shown this,” says Miller. “The bizarre fact is, cancer rates and risks in general are lower around plants.

Is it safe to live near a nuclear power station?

All Answers (7) Yes, is safe to live near Nuclear Power Plant.. The fact is, cancer rates and risks in general are lower around NPP. That has nothing to do with the plant itself, but instead with the higher standard of living of the people who live and work there.

When to evacuate from a nuclear power plant?

The only level at which radiation is expected to present a threat to the public is General Emergency, but if you live within 10 miles of the plant you are considered to be in the Emergency Planning Zone and may be alerted or instructed to evacuate at an earlier stage.

How long would it take for fallout from a nuclear power plant to spread?

The government’s10-mile evacuation zone is a rough estimate of how far imminently dangerous, higher levels of radiation could spread in a severe accident; however wind and other aspects of the weather would determine the actual path and distance fallout would travel in the immediate aftermath of a crisis.

What are the plans for a nuclear power plant accident?

The US government’s emergency response plans for a nuclear accident include two separate planning zones, one for a 10-mile radius of the reactor where people could potentially be harmed by direct radiation exposure and one for a 50-mile radius, where food crops and water supplies could be contaminated by radiation.

How many people live near a nuclear power plant?

In the US, about a third of the population lives within 50 miles of a reactor, and about 6 million people live within a 10-mile Emergency Planning Zone. If you’re unsure of your distance from the nearest reactor, click here for an evacuation zone finder provided by the Physicians For Social Responsibility.