Nuclear weapons reactors: too hot to handle?

Problems that arose in August 1988 during the startup of a reactor at the Savannah River nuclear weapons plant in Aiken, South Carolina, led to Congressional hearings on defense reactors in general and the indefinite closing of all three operational reactors at Savannah River. Stress-corrosion cracking and outmoded design features may make operation of reactors a risky business, and Westinghouse Electric Corp., which in April 1989 took over operation of the plant, now faces the problem of assessing risk, improving safety, and judging when, if ever, it is safe to restart the reactors. The history of the Savannah River plant is described, and the present issues are examined in the context of risk assessment.<>