1979+Three+Mile+Island+(1979)

 Three Mile Island Accident  ** __ Who: __ **  The Three Mile Island Nuclear Generating Station. The plant was owned and operated by General Public Utilities and the Metropolitan Edison Co. ** __What:__ **  This was a partial meltdown of one of the pressurized water reactors in the plant that caused dangerous amounts of radioactive gas to enter the atmosphere. The water pumps that cool down the reactors failed and the backup pumps were shutdown due to maintenance. When a pressure relief valve was finally opened to relieve the tank of excess heat, it should of closed after all the pressure was relieved. It never did so water coolant flowed out. The heat from the reactor and radioactive coolant cause hydrogen gas to form which was thought to have caused a small explosion. ** __ When: __ **  March 28, 1979 ** __ Where: __ **  Dauphin County, Pennsylvania ** __ Why: __ **  An indicator inside the reactor had incorrect readings of the coolant level and the people working failed to realize what was really happening.

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