The impact of fuel cladding failure events on occupational radiation exposures at nuclear power plants

This paper summarizes two case studies that evaluated the impact of fuel cladding failures on occupational radiation exposures at pressurized water reactors (PWRs). For the case studies, radiation measurements were made both during routine operations and during the subsequent maintenance and refueling outage ata PWR with more than 0.2% failed fuel. Gamma spectroscopy measurements, radiation exposure rate determinations, thermoluminescent dosimeter assessments, and air sample analyses were made in the plant's radwaste, pipe penetration, and containment buildings. Small highly radioactive fuel particles, which contaminated the plant's fuel handling building, were also analyzed. Based on the data collected, fuel cladding failures increased radiation exposure rates an estimated 540% in some areas of the plant during routine operations. Furthermore, the fraction of the total exposure rates due to fission products remained relatively constant over the duration of the outage