Respiratory protection-lessons learned at TMI [Three Mile Island]

At the time of the Three Mile Island Unit 2 (TMI-2) accident, GPN Nuclear was ill prepared for the respiratory protection demands were about to be endured. Although a recognized respiratory protection program was in place that permitted application of protection factors, the depth and detail needed to attack an accident and recovery process of this magnitude was lacking. Airborne radioactivity concentrations following the accident reached 1000 times the maximum permissible concentration. Surface contamination levels ranged upward of 1 rad/smear. Oxygen concentrations in the reactor building were <14% prior to the first purge. A multitude of short- and long-term challenges necessary to expand the scope of the program was faced. Some of those most significant are discussed. Immediate problems included respiratory equipment inventory, self-contained breathing apparatus charging capabilities and qualified respirator wearers. Long-term problems included the following: training; selection, issue, and use of respirators; equipment cleaning, maintenance, and inspection; breathing air supplies; and emergency preparedness