DECON (Decontamination): The plant is dismantled in a process similar to the DECON option once radioactivity has decayed to lower levels and the safety risk to workers is substantially reduced. In DECON phase, the operator first decontaminates or removes contaminated equipment and materials. The removal of used nuclear fuel rods and equipment—which accounts for over 99 percent of the plant’s radioactivity—lowers the radiation level in the facility and significantly reduces the potential exposure to workers during subsequent decommissioning operations. DECON can take five years or more. Both of these options allow companies to choose the optimal time and method for decommissioning their particular site. Companies can choose to start DECON at the beginning of the 60-year period. In reality, most plants use a combination of the two approaches, conducting some dismantlement while setting aside funds to pay for others later. (Source: www.nei.org/)
Related Definitions in the Project: The Nuclear Fusion Energy
