China syndrome (nuclear meltdown)

For the 1979 film, see The China Syndrome. For the 'The King of Queens' episode, see China Syndrome (The King of Queens).

The China Syndrome is a notion that refers to a possible extreme result of a nuclear meltdown in which molten reactor core products breach the barriers below them and flow downwards through the floor of the containment building.

History and usage

The phrase arose from analysis of the consequences of failure of the core cooling system in nuclear reactors. In 1971, nuclear physicist Ralph Lapp used the term to describe the burn-through of the reactor vessel, the penetration of the concrete below it, and the emergence of a mass of hot fuel into the soil below the reactor. He based his statements on the report of a task force of nuclear physicists headed by Dr. W.K. Ergen, published in 1967. The dangers of such a hypothetical accident were publicized by the 1979 film, The China Syndrome.

The name refers to the idea of the nuclear material digging a proverbial hole to China, a practical impossibility. If radioactive slag reached the water table beneath the reactor building, the resulting steam could throw radioactive material into the air, producing fallout. Despite several meltdowns in both civilian and military reactors, such an extreme meltdown has never taken place. Almost all current reactor designs do not allow such a meltdown to occur, either by preventing any meltdown (such as in a TRIGA reactor) or by dispersing any molten material so that it cools and solidifies.

In popular fiction

• In an episode of The Simpsons titled "The Trouble with Trillions", Homer claims that he was responsible for "three meltdowns and one China Syndrome".
• In an episode of The Simpsons titled "The Wettest Stories Ever Told", Mr. Burns expresses his love for the sea by noting that there are no China Syndromes (referring to the movie).
• In an episode of The Simpsons titled "Marge's Son Poisoning", a porcelain shop called "The China Syndrome" can be seen.
• In Godzilla vs. Destoroyah, Godzilla’s nuclear reactor (his heart) is predicted to go through an immense version of China Syndrome that will result in the Earth’s destruction after reaching a temperature of 1,200 °C, but this is prevented.
• The professional wrestler Chyna had merchandise that said "Chyna Syndrome".

In popular music

• 'Overreaction' by the Canadian progressive thrash band 'Voivod', taken from their 1987 album Killing Technology, mentions the China Syndrome. Drummer Away has said that the song is about the China Syndrome, though lyrics like 'The China Syndrome will die much later than you / The China Syndrome / In the air, it smells bad / Feel the disease, the nuclearchy [sic]' suggest Voivod may not have been aware to what specific theory the term was applied: the meltdown referred to in the song, from which there appears to be massive fallout, shares no unique characteristics with an occurrence of China Syndrome. Originally titled 'Uncontrolled Reaction' and penned within weeks of the Chernobyl disaster, the song is much more likely based on accounts of this well-publicised event.

See also

• Radioactive contamination
• Radioactive wastekfajlkfajdkl;fjadklfjakldfjal;dkfjakldjfadklfj;laksdjfkl;dsjf;kladsjfl;aksdjfkl;ads;fjlakdfjear accidents]]
• List of military nuclear accidents
• Nuclear and radiation accidents