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Radioactive Water Leaks From Pa. Nuke Reactor

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Oct 11, 2007 5:13 pm US/Central

Radioactive Water Leaks From Pa. Nuke Reactor

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (AP) ― Penn State University has reported a minor leak of "slightly radioactive water" at its Breazeale nuclear reactor.

The leak occurred in the pool in which the reactor sits, but the water posed no health risk to workers, the community or the environment, the university said Thursday.

The reactor will be out of service until the leak is found, the university said.

Reactor staff noticed "a small reduction of several hundred gallons over the past several days" from the pool that holds 71,000 gallons of water, according to Penn State. The leak rate is about 10 gallons per hour.

The pool shields the core's radiation and cools the reactor. It is comprised of tap water with most of its minerals and impurities removed.

State and federal officials have been notified, Penn State said.

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