- A truck carrying uranium fuel rods was rear-ended on I-40 near U.S. Highway 64.
- Emergency crews responded quickly to assess possible radiation exposure.
- No injuries and no spill was reported.
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(Memphis, TN 11/15/11) A truck carrying uranium fuel rods was rear-ended on I-40 westbound near U.S. Highway 64 Tuesday night.
Hazmat crews, Tennessee Highway Patrol, Memphis police and Memphis fire personnel responded quickly.
The wreck happened at 7:50 p.m., and the scene was stabilized at 8:21 p.m.
At one point, crews blocked a 500 sq. ft. distance around the vehicle, and two right lanes were blocked.
No fuel rods fell off the truck. The Emergency Management Agency said that their staff also used small devices to monitor the level of radiation in the area. An alarm would sound at the detection of radiation, and the device provides a read on the level of radiation present.�
The EMA was not able to say what type of fuel rods were being transported on the truck. Often time, uranium rods are used for nuclear power plants or for hospital radiation therapy.
The EMA also said that vehicles carrying such rods is not unusual in the area. Since Memphis is a distribution hub, many hazardous materials may be transported by rail or by interstate every day.
Emergency crews were relieved no one was hurt and that no spill occurred, but they took every safety precaution necessary, as they would in a more serious spill.
Source: http://kwindur.wordpress.com/2011/11/16/truck-with-uranium-fuel-rods-wrecks-on-i-40/
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