Print View Posted on: 02 August 2017
Body contamination was found from five workers who dealt with condition check of storage containers that stored nuclear fuel material at the Plutonium Fuel Research Facility (PFRF) in Oarai Research & Development Center of Japan Atomic Energy Agency on June 6, 2017. In the PFRF, mixed powder of Plutonium oxide and Uranium oxide for laboratory use was packed in a polyethylene container, then it was wrapped by a plastic bag, and stored in a storage container finally. During condition check of the polyethylene container in the concerned storage container, a plastic bag was ruptured (by over pressure). It resulted contamination on surface of hands and feet of five workers. No injury reported. Each worker wore protection mask at the event however nose contamination was found from three workers. There was no abnormal indication found in dust monitor in ventilation system or monitoring posts around the site, thus no release reported.The results of bio-assay analysis showed that the maximum committed doses of assessed individual was 100 to 200 mSv, while the statutory annual dose limit of Japan is 50 mSv. This event is provisionally rated as level 2 on the INES scale.