PIKETON, Ohio — Nuclear activists have created a haunting Halloween display to raise awareness about what has been called the most serious accident in the history of the Piketon Atomic Plant. The display reflects the March 7, 1978, incident when a cylinder carrying a dangerous and radioactive material was dropped, rupturing and releasing hazardous substances into the atmosphere.
The 1978 Accident:
On March 7, 1978, a cylinder hauler at the Piketon Atomic Plant dropped a container of uranium hexafluoride (UF6), causing it to rupture and release 20,000 pounds of radioactive material. Fortunately, heavy snow on the day of the accident helped prevent a far more catastrophic spread of the radioactive cloud, experts say.
What is Uranium Hexafluoride?
Uranium hexafluoride (UF6) is a volatile and highly radioactive compound used in the uranium enrichment process. When exposed to air, it reacts with moisture to form corrosive and toxic gases. The release of such a substance poses severe health risks, including radiation poisoning and respiratory damage.
Comparison to Three Mile Island:
Some nuclear experts argue that the amount of radioactive material released in Piketon in 1978 was greater than the amount released during the Three Mile Island nuclear accident in Pennsylvania in 1979. While the Three Mile Island incident involved a partial reactor meltdown, containment measures limited the radiation’s impact, but it remains a benchmark for nuclear accidents in the U.S.
Ongoing Activism:
Activist Vina Colley told the Guardian that’s she wanted to honor the memory of her friend who died from cancer after working at the plant. “I wanted to honor my friend Owen Thompson and others in this release. Owen died of brain cancer.” Their display is not just a commemoration of the 1978 accident; it’s a powerful reminder of the ongoing risks of nuclear activities.
The display can be seen along 8th Street in the city of Portsmouth.