International Response to Nuclear Power Reactor Safety Concerns

NSIAD-85-128: Published: Sep 30, 1985. Publicly Released: Sep 30, 1985.

Additional Materials:

Contact:

Office of Public Affairs
(202) 512-4800
youngc1@gao.gov

GAO summarized the activities of international organizations working to prevent or alleviate the consequences of a nuclear power accident, specifically the sharing of nuclear safety information and the establishment of a framework for an international response to nuclear accidents.

GAO noted that: (1) approximately 300 nuclear power plants are operating worldwide; (2) the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) rated the nuclear safety record of these plants as good; and (3) by the year 2000, developing countries will be operating more than half of the world's nuclear reactors. GAO also noted that: (1) developing countries have limited resources and experience in operating nuclear power plants; (2) most countries prefer to develop nonbinding guidelines, rather than legal measures, for assisting each other in the event of a nuclear accident; (3) little information on the extent and seriousness of safety-related incidents in foreign countries is available; (4) many countries may need outside assistance in the event a major radiation accident occurs; and (5) an international forum for sharing information on the operation of 80 percent of the world's nuclear reactors has been established.

Apr 18, 2018

Apr 5, 2018

Mar 20, 2018

Mar 14, 2018

Feb 28, 2018

Feb 16, 2018

Feb 6, 2018

Jan 30, 2018

Dec 7, 2017

Nov 14, 2017

Looking for more? Browse all our products here