Thursday, August 31, 2006
FPL says tritium detected in reactor pond
PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. (AP) -- Florida Power and Light officials say they have found a radioactive element in one of their reactor ponds.
FPL told federal regulators it found tritium in a pond at its St. Lucie nuclear reactor.
The company says the pond is not part of any drinking water source, and the tritium poses no risk to employees or the public.
Company officials say they think they've found the source of the tritium and stopped it. They say the amount of tritium was nothing more than a few drips.
St. Lucie is among 65 U.S. plant sites to report a tritium leak.
Tritium is a naturally occurring form of hydrogen that is also produced in commercial nuclear reactors and used to illuminate exit signs and wristwatches.
In large quantities, it can increase the risk of cancer.
(Copyright 2006 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
