Truck Carrying Uranium Overturned In NC

Brief story here. They say the threat of a problem is low.

The accident happened around 9:30 p.m. Thursday night.
Dispatchers say the tractor trailer is carrying several chemicals, including radioactive uranium.

Emergency dispatcher supervisor says that uranium material dry and that the threat level is low.

We are told that it is packed to be well protected.

Officials are trying to get to the containers to determine of any of the material has spilled.

Eastbound I-40 from exit 325 is closed.

Uranium is a radioactive metallic chemical element used on atomic energy. The driver suffered minor injuries and was taken to an area hospital.

There are no reports of any evacuations.

Comments

[lawhawk]

Another radiological incident occurred in Albany, New York earlier this week when there was an accident at a work site and a vehicle drove over a compaction meter. Nearby businesses and companies were evacuated from nearby buildings and people asked to stay away until the hazard could be determined. The meter contains radioactive isotopes, but the box that houses the isotopes was undamaged and the all-clear given a few hours later.

[Herschel Smith]

Nice find, but being a nuclear engineer, I can tell you, no problems. They know exactly what is in the package per the requirements of 49 CFR 173. Further, with natural uranium, there is absolutely no physical configuration (geometry) that you could put it in which would cause criticality. Period. The only real issue pertains to the spread of contamination (a concern even with natural uranium) due to other actinides (decayed from Uranium) that will be alpha producers and problematic only if ingested.

Nice fireworks for the news, though. Lots of people interested, looking for three legged frogs, and such. Again, as always, nice find, Dan.

[SlimeBallofTheRealm]

HS has got it right, being a nuke worker for a long time, that truck could have rolled burned and taken a dive of a 1000 foot cliff and the contents would likely be intact.

The container requirements are so strict that you almost have to do something on purpose to get any contamination into the environment.

[Cindi]

Thanks Herschel for your knowledge and input. For me, that is what makes bloggers so interesting. The ability to gather information the MSM never seems to get around to.

[Cindi]

oh yeah, forgot to mention. Typepad is a PITA!

[Phoenix]

Hi Cindi!

I agree about the information. Enlightening for sure, and it makes me feel better.

What does PITA stand for? I thought that was a taco with meat in it.

[Phoenix]

And lettuce.