Borssele nuclear power plant. Credit: Shutterstock, Rijdende Redactie
Two employees at the Borssele nuclear power plant in the Netherlands were exposed to radioactive substances during maintenance work on November 26, 2024, though the incident was only publicly disclosed last week by EPZ, the plant’s operator.
The EPZ has launched an investigation into the cause of the exposure but has stated that the event did not compromise nuclear safety.
Workers exposed to radioactive substances despite wearing protective gear
According to reports from the Provinciale Zeeuwse Courant (PZC) and The Brussels Times, the two affected workers were wearing respiratory protection, preventing internal contamination. However, radioactive substances made contact with their skin. A third worker, who was present in the area but not wearing respiratory protection, left immediately when an alarm was triggered and was not contaminated.
During routine maintenance, a small amount of radioactive material was released, triggering radiation monitoring equipment. This led to an immediate evacuation of the affected area. The workers were subjected to further medical tests, which confirmed no internal contamination. The contaminated area was cleaned, and work at the site has since resumed.
EPZ is investigating how the radioactive exposure occurred, aiming to prevent similar incidents in the future. The company has assured that safety protocols were followed and reiterated that there was no risk to the public or the surrounding environment.
While the incident remains isolated, expats and residents in the Netherlands who live nearby may be concerned about safety measures and transparency regarding incidents like this. The Netherlands has one nuclear power plant in operation at Borssele, and the government has recently discussed expanding nuclear energy production as part of its energy transition plans. This incident may prompt further scrutiny of safety regulations and emergency response measures within the EU.
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