Three Mile Island: America's Worst Nuclear Accident
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- čas přidán 4. 01. 2024
- In March, 1979 a major motion picture starring Jack Lemmon, Jane Fonda, Michael Douglas, and Wilfred Brimley was released. It was called The China Syndrome. Fonda and Douglas portrayed an intrepid television news crew who witnessed an incident at a fictional nuclear power plant and encountered fierce resistance from the company that operated it as they tried to report the story to the world. The title of the film referred to a mythical accident scenario where the core of an operating nuclear reactor, deprived of its coolant, would melt through the bottom of its containment vessel and through the earth, all the way to China.
Upon its release, which generated considerable critical acclaim and strong box office receipts, the nuclear power industry protested. The New York Times ran an article on March 18, 1979, where “experts” in the field of nuclear power discussed the benefits derived from the industry and its history of safe operations of nuclear reactors. One such expert claimed The China Syndrome was “a character assassination of an entire industry”. General Electric announced it was withdrawing its sponsorship of a Barbara Walters television special because Jane Fonda was scheduled to appear and discuss the movie on the broadcast. Pro-nuclear groups and trade magazines roundly condemned the film and its depiction of a power industry driven by greed and unconcerned with the hazards presented to an unwary public.
Then, on March 28, 1979 a nuclear power plant outside of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania suffered a near-catastrophic accident which led to the release of radioactive gasses and other materials into the atmosphere. As of 2023, it remains the worst nuclear accident to occur on US soil in history. As in the fictional film then in theaters, the operating power company and government agencies were initially reticent to release information about the event to the public. Subsequent events revealed the accident had led to a partial meltdown, the feared event narrowly avoided in The China Syndrome.
The accident in Pennsylvania, which occurred at the Three Mile Island nuclear plant, operated by Metropolitan Edison Company, led to significant changes in the industry. New regulations and operating procedures were implemented in its aftermath. The most important change was the attitude of the public towards nuclear power and a steady decline in the construction of nuclear power plants across the United States. Dozens of existing plants were decommissioned, eventually including Three Mile Island itself. The impact of the accident on the environment is still debated, as it has been since the event over four decades ago.
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Further Reading:
www.imdb.com/title/tt0078966/
www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/doc-co...
www.eia.gov/energyexplained/n....
www.nrc.gov/reactors/power/pw...
www.nuclear-power.com/nuclear...
world-nuclear.org/information....
www.asme.org/about-asme/engin...
dahp.wa.gov/live-better-elect...
history.state.gov/milestones/....
www.researchgate.net/figure/S...
www.washingtonpost.com/archiv...
www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/...
web.archive.org/web/201204010...
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Where is Simon?
@@Shadyshooter He's at your mother's house.
As Eric mentioned in the video, people really need to watch Kyle Hill's videos on this and other matters concerning nuclear power, power plants, accidents, nuclear waste, and other topics. There were and are many exaggerations concerning and misleading concerning Three Mile Island, Chernobyl, etc.
Yeah, we have a fact checker, but she can't catch everything. I'll have to speak to Larry about the quality of his sources in the future.
Nuclear power is 10000 times safer and better for the environment than coal, gas and oil. 3MI never even had a chance to go critical, Even with the 5 different 1 in a million things that happened that day.
Nuclear waste is a solid with 0 chance of leaking, Unlike all the stupid movies that show it as a green slim in barrels that always leak. It has no burn off that goes into the atmosphere, And your lungs like coal does.
The President, Media, Coal and Oil industry were in on making it look like a huge risk, It's all about money.
Watch Kyle Hills video on this incident.
@@geographicstravel unless I'm missing something? They weren't criticizing the script, rather other peoples telling of what happened. Larry's work was good. This, along with Kyle Hill talking about the incident, are 2 of the least exaggerated videos I've seen. Appreciate it. Also enjoyed Eric as host. Good to see scripts are being shared so no one gets overwhelmed with the amount of work.
Kyle's Half-Life Histories Playlist is amazing. I highly recommend it.
The CZcams channel Friendly Nuclear Physicist, hosted by Elina Charatsidou, is also a good resource.
In terms of radiation release (upto 459x Three Mile), the Sodium Reactor Experiment at SSFL in California was a much worse meltdown. That accident took place in 1959.
If anyone’s curious there is a in depth documentary on Netflix about three mile island that has many interviews of locals, and was my introduction to this incident. I highly recommend it to anyone who wants to research this topic further. I believe of was titled “Three Mile Island” but I might be wrong on that
I don't think that's unambiguously true.
I call the entire thing THE TMI LIE. Nothing above normal was released and everything was contained in the CONTAINMENT BUILDING as designed.
I was thinking this.
I was born in Reading, PA in June of 1979. As you might imagine, there was a lot of controversy about TMI and pregnancies in PA that year. The truth is, there really wasn't much in the way of dangerous material released, and the handling of the incident by the local and state government made it seem far worse than it was. My husband, born a couple of years later, grew up in Harrisburg. It was well known that non-nuclear sources of pollution were far more concerning than anything to do with TMI from not long after the event. We still look for the cooling towers every time we are on the highway in Harrisburg.
due to cleanup worker radiation screens, the accident did help us discover radon in peoples basements
August 1979 here. The whole thing was blown way out of proportion.
My Mom lived a few miles from the plant. I was born in Harrisburg Oct. '79.
Yeah totally safe. Just don't consider the high cancer rates in the part of the world.
Really enjoyed Eric. Keep him around.
I'm glad Karl has someone talented to take on hosting gigs when he's overworked or a subject has him too bummed. Great work from the entire team. :)
So glad you suggested kyle hill he is absolutely amazing
He's my favorite science communicator.
I'm not a fan of him anymore. I liked him so much better on Because Science. Now he just comes across as obnoxious and annoying.
@@TheFirstCurse1 well I respect your opinion and it's ok that is yours but for me I really enjoy his style he seems to have fun while being educational. I totally get it if you want something more serious though and that's fair
So, once again, it’s apparently down to operator error.
"MISINPUT, IT WAS A MISINPUT!"
/* FIXME: that "always has been" astronaut meme goes here */
There is an interesting video on a channel called “Our Own Devices” that looks at the CANDU reactor. It’s known worldwide as the safest commercial nuclear reactor. Apparently in simulators it’s almost impossible to have the same type of accident because fail safes kick in ahead of time.
Side note Jummy Carter helped with a clean up after a nuclear accident at Chalk River Ontario (where medical isotopes were made). He was exposed to radiation and was told he has an increased risk of dying early - clearly he beat those odds
Never had an accident. Use less refined fuel and heavy water coolant and there’s a foolproof gravity drain to prevent meltdowns.
I have hope for this host. It’s the first script, I can see this going somewhere.
Great job Eric!!
I actually enjoyed Eric more. Not being mean to Karl but I prefer a calm, lower voice, but thats my humble preference.
I like how this host sounds exactly like a newscaster.
Welcome to the team Eric!!!!!🎉🎉😊
Been here behind the scenes for a bit. But it's good to try something new. :)
My then colleague at NL Industries (originally known as National Lead) told me he was with the Metal Division as warehouse supervisor and got a call at home in the middle of night from the warehouse guard saying someone is asking to take ALL THE LEAD the warehouse has!!
He asked what company was asking and the guard relayed back: Some funny name called "Three Mile Island"; needless to say he released without any proper paperwork.
Really good to see you as a presenter!
Good stuff. Well presented!😉👊🏿
After the release of the film, Fonda began lobbying against nuclear power. In an attempt to counter her efforts, Edward Teller, a nuclear physicist and long-time government science adviser best known for contributing to the Teller--Ulam design breakthrough that made hydrogen bombs possible, personally lobbied in favor of nuclear power. Teller suffered a heart attack shortly after the incident and joked that he was the only person whose health was affected.
From Vietnam to TMI to current issues, Jane Fonda has a perfect record of getting it wrong.
Love the new host! Amazing voice!
Will miss Smallwood and Simon but it's awesome to see this channel still going good 😂
Karl's not going anywhere, we're just sharing hosting duties so he doesn't burn out.
Yes!
@@geographicstravel whew
Glad they’re sharing as Karl is great and this new guy seems good too.
@@geographicstravelwas wondering where Karl went 😂
Ahhhhhhhhh you have an excellent and soothing voice. 😅 Great work overall!!
Thank you! I look forward to sharing the hosting role with Karl. :) And hopefully he'll write a few scripts too. Fingers crossed!
3:15 - Chapter 1 - A primer on nuclear power
6:50 - Chapter 2 - Commercial use of nuclear power
9:40 - Chapter 3 - The accident at TMI 2
15:40 - Chapter 4 - Investigation
19:15 - Chapter 5 - Aftermath
23:25 - Conclusion
PS: Well folks, do we have to do a poll for the Geographics & Biographics hosts ?
From France & a Nuclear Engineer, don't worry guys...you have nothing on Tcherno !!!
He has a good voice.
Thank you.
Agreed....
Excellent call out to Kyle Hill. He does a good job explaining various things about nuclear power.
I adore how all of those companies and experts were silenced when this accident happened. Everyone acts like nothing will go wrong, until it always inevitably does.
Where is Karl? Who is this guy?
Edit: Just read community tab, understood.
;) The Fact Goblin ain't going anywhere anytime soon if we can help it.
@@geographicstravelYaaaas!!! I love the nickname "Fact Goblin"
Bring back Smolwood, I need his sweet British voice in my life
He's not gone. We're just sharing hosting duties.
@@geographicstravel I think Karl is kinda cute. But this guy has a soothing voice. I can't choose. Good thing we get them both :P Good luck guys!
@@rickyspanish4792 Dad worked at the TV station (kinda ran it) & I spent a lot of time there. Years after Dad retired I took a 'Voice and Articulation' class at uni and the teacher usually used me as a reference voice during discussions. Not that I was usually paying attention ... "Read what, again?" (Doh!)
DEFINE IRONY: It was reported that people at a cinema in Harrisburg just a few miles from the plant were watching ‘The China Syndrome’ during the actual meltdown!! 😮
The health effects caused by stress and anxiety from news getting it wrong are basically always worse than the actual accidents. Weird to think about.
I grew up in Hershey, PA, about 15 miles from TMI. We got out of school early on the day of the accident. Some families left town for their hunting cabins or relatives. With nowhere to go we played baseball since it was a nice spring day. Billy Joel was supposed to play a concert in the Hersheypark Arena but was canceled because it was used as a shelter for people from Middletown. I wish I still had my "I Survived TMI" T-shirt.
Nice job. Why not buy CANDU reactors that are much safer. They use less refined fuel and heavy water as the coolant
My Mom lived near the plant when this happened and she was pregnant with me. She told me she was told to leave town and spent a few weeks with family in Philadelphia. I was born in Harrisburg in October.
New host! Very good voice, very good delivery. A bit of humor would improve things.
Would love to see you guys do a video about SL-1
Yes, the movie China Syndrome came to our theatres a couple weeks before the accident. Many of us Harrisburg watched the movie just before or during the actual accident. They successfully got the plant shut down with little time to spare before the China Syndrome occurred at the Three Mile Island plant. President Jimmy Carter came to Harrisburg to check out the situation for himself. I did get to meet him. I learned he had been assigned to and worked on a nuclear submarine during his service in the navy. Alot of people scorned and mocked him by valling him dome dumb hick who was a peanut farmer. Let me tell you, Carter was a very smart and knowledgeable. He reached an officers level. I believe he was above the level of Captain. I have nothing but respect for the man.
Congratulations Eric! Your first video on Geographics was *chef's kiss* perfect!
I'm so happy to have your face presenting again, it really makes me so happy for you and the audience. I hope they give you the respect and admiration you truly deserve. I look forward to seeing you and Karl on Geographics!
I'm in Nyc and have grown up hearing about TMI but this has taught me more than I've learned in my 3 decades of life. Fantastic script and very informative video like always. Thanks for the amazing content 💙
Kyle Hill also did a video on this, and apparently the author of this script made some flubs, so definitely check out his videos too.
@@geographicstravel that's exactly where I went! Seems I'll have a very full weekend learning about nuclear power. Thanks for the inspiration 🤗
As a long time subscriber to simon, karl and this channel I had no problem with the changes but I did wondered why. I was imagining a big CZcams drama. I'm glad to be wrong about that.
I, for one, really like Eric's style of telling this
Im glad to see Kyle Hill referenced in this video. His videos about nuclear power are second to none.
Ffs, first simon, now Karl what is the world coming to, I was enjoying Karl!
Karl is staying, don't worry. We're just sharing hosting duties from time to time so he doesn't get burned out and can get a chance to write some scripts from time to time too.
Like what happened to Karl??? I miss his dry humor!
Simon I miss, Karl not so much
@geographicstravel
Glad to hear it Karl is an absolute king!
Karl needs the practice. Not being unkind-he’s just getting used to the job.
Also, my inner 12-year-old still giggles at his name (sorry, Karl).
Interesting video
Of all the nuclear incidents that have happened, it's mildly ironic that this one is closest to my home and I know less about it than other incidents.
While it is true that nuclear power production does not pollute the atmosphere like fossil fuels and operating reactors are generally safe, we still have the issue of how to dispose of used nuclear fuel rods will remain dangerously radioactive for 10-20,000 years maybe longer; almost every single nuclear power plant has what are called "cooling pools" that store the used fuel rods that have been removed from the reactor during the course of its operating lifetime, and there is no really effective plan for safely disposing of them in a manner that will prevent them from being a hazard for millennia to come.
There are newly discovered microbes that feed on radiation, such as a new variety of c. neoformans. It's already been proposed that microbes like these could help with safely disposing of radioactive material.
the SNL sketch about TMI was epic
I like this host a lot so far
Try blinking. The constant, wide-eyed stare is a little unsettling.
Who's this? Where's Karl? Where's Simon? What's going on?!?!?!
Just kidding. Eric did a great job!
Hey, thanks! Karl's still gonna be hosting, but I'm here to keep him from burning out and stuff. I work behind the scenes and I've written for the channels for years off and on.
@@geographicstravel Eric, I kind of “knew” about you when you were a guest on one of Karl’s channels. It was nice to be able to put a face to the voice!
Thanks.
A reactor "Scrams", meaning the control rods drop into the core. They are spring loaded, not just driven by gravity.
I knew I recognized the name. He used to do a channel called Science Get.
Carter would know a little bit about nuclear disasters, when he was a lieutenant in the US Navy he helped stop one of the first nuclear disasters. Back in 1952 he was called in to stop a disaster at Chalk River National Laboratories in Ontario Canada.
They had him and the rest of his team go in one at a time for no more than like 90 seconds and turn a wrench to shut down the reactor. They told him afterwards he may not be able have kids, and he may not live as long, he has since had 4 kids and is at 99 years old the oldest and longest lived president.
Did I learn about that on a Geograpics video? I know I saw it on YT and Simon was hosting. Anyway throwback to that video if it was.
I lived 1 mile from TMI in 1979. My parents went to Clearfield Pa. and I stayed at the house in case of looters and such. I fished there in the early 70s while in school in Elizabethtown
New presenter? Welcome! Looking sharp.
Yes! Thank you!
I was just getting used to Karl, but for a first video, this was great and a very different tone... look forward to more
Love this channel! Please do Agincourt
Will suggest it to the writers.
@@geographicstravel AWESOME
A little late here. I have always been skeptical about seismic resistance claims. The plant might survive a massive shock. What about multiple aftershocks? These plants next to rivers are also exposed to liquefaction.
This video looks like it was made with a webcam from 2005.
I hope Karl hasn't found himself locked in the basement
People should really check out Kyle Hill's videos on nuclear power and incidents to get a greater look at the situations.
After Simon, I like this gentleman over Karl, just my two cents, this gentleman makes a great replacement for Simon imo
I remember when this happened.😢
WAS THAT A COWBOY BEBOP REFERENCE
Yes.
Not quite. No one was injured by radiation from TMI. There was a 1961 nuclear accident at SL-1 in Idaho where three workers died that your information didn't acknowledge.
Hehe the voice and delivery is noice
This has big "How It's Made" vibes and I'm not mad about it
Point to CANDU. Don't think any of those reactors have even come close to the levels of catastrophy of these ones.
This guy! Hey! Were have you been all these years !!!!????
Hey, where's that Whistler, I mean Smallwood...I mean who's this guy? 😂
Hi, I work behind the scenes. I'm Eric Malikyte. I edit most of the videos across all three channels. Karl will still be hosting the channels for the most part, but when he needs a break I'll be popping in from time to time.
I didn't know until years later that the China Syndrome preceded the actual Three Mile Island incident that closely. (In my defense, I was a young child when it actually happened.) Eerie AF. That's almost like if The Impossible released in theaters two weeks BEFORE the Sumatra-Andaman earthquake.
Where's Simon?
Do the near meltdown of Browns Ferry in Alabama a few years before TMI
......if only to feed the algorithm..... May I generalize and note that (my perception and label) the "Whistler Web" type of folks are spot on. I admire the adroit minds that craft the verbiage and tenor of a subject and the massive supporting staff that screams the pixel show....
Anyhoot, "A" comment.
Willford Brimley? The "diabetes" commercial guy? 🤔
I enjoy Karl but your cadence and delivery are also great. I love your dry deadpan humor!
I appreciate that!
Agreed, plus you have the perfect narration voice! Hope you present more videos, and keep up the good writing as well:)
Because Kyle Hill was recommended, I'd highly recommend his video, "The Fukushima Disaster - Epidemic of Ghosts". In it, he explains how despite using modern reactors with modern fail safes, with international, national, local, and citizen oversight: all of which warned of this impending disaster; still resulted in corporate and regulatory negligence. This negligence, according to Kyle Hill, caused a disaster that we do not have the means to properly clean up. In fact, he states, we are hoping to have the necessary technology available within the next 60 YEARS.
But don't forget, disasters can't happen with modern reactors and their fail safes, regulatory bodies are strict and powerful, and power companies don't put profits above safety... That was sarcasm if you didn't catch it.
Solve the issues with clean up(remember Kyle says this tech does not exist) and waste(vitrification plants with their acetonitrile venting issues are not a solution, see Hanford), eliminate greed and incompetence as factors in potential disasters, enact laws and regulations with fully funded and staffed agencies to enforce with stiff penalties and I'd be open to the conversation.
My parents were in Harrisburg went the alarms sounded. My dad had worked on Navy nuclear vessels and hit the floor. Everyone else stared at him.
He was right, though.
Geeze, as part of the TMI 2 team, i am shocked about how much you got wrong. This is the worst episode this channel has produced. Recommend you review NSAC 80-1. FYI, the vast majority of release were noble gases. Yes the News media loved this event.
What is happening
My un asked for opinion:
Good host. However, bit whiplash after adjusting to Karl. Lol.
Thank you for everyone's hard work
Karl and I will be sharing hosting duties, since he has expressed a desire to also help with the behind the scenes writing and such. We're just making sure none of us get burned out. :) A team effort and such.
@@geographicstravelawesome!
Reasons why things like this should be run by the government and manned by the military.
Kyle Hill would like to know your location
I worked on the clean up defueling of unit 2
Man, would have been great if the author had gotten you as a source on this (hindsight, I know). How accurate would you say the script author was in describing the incident?
Great video and I fully agree that people should watch Kyle Hill as he went to the Ukraine, Japan and a functional nuclear power plant. After his videos I am in favor of nuclear power as it is safe and unlike other forms of power they can account for all their waste.
Anybody mention the big bag of weed found in the control room stuffed under a cabinet?
A Brief History of: The Church Rock Uranium Mill Disaster (Short Documentary) thats the worst Nuclear Accident
I thought Simon did this channel?
My brain. You’re not Simon. Still good though.
Simon started out pretty rough too. :) I'm getting more comfortable, but I'm definitely noticing that there are certain topics I get more excited about than others.
It is not released as heat it is released as kinetic energy which is converted to heat.
Where is simon
45 years ago.
Buddy is giving Baldwin
Aite now... I came because of Simon and stuck through one change... Who is this guy
Much better than Karl. I often struggle to understand Karl's accent
Good video. Good presenter fella. Very soothing voice❤
I like the Cowboy Bebop reference.
This guy isn't British enough or bald enough or Karl enough or Smallwood enough or Simon Whistler enough. Yay Kyle's getting a shout out.
Really hope simon isnt phasing out hes a huge reason why i watch these
if you go to the community tab on geographics youll get more details but Simon didn't own the channel and no longer works with them
oh, clearly its been a while, when did simon stop hosting geographics?
Where’s Simon!
Stop making me look like an idiot!
Bring back Smallwood!