Safety issues regarding Brazil's controversial nuclear power programme came into focus after a local magazine recently reported a four-month-old nuclear plant accident, which was not made public by officials. On May 28, 2001, gallons of slightly radioactive water had leaked from the main system of Angra I plant, but an emergency tank had contained the leak. Following this, the plant was shut down for a week. Officials say that since the accident never posed any danger to the health of the workers or to the environment around the two-reactor Angra complex, it was not reported.
Greenpeace, an international pressure group, said this event could signal a possible moratorium on new reactors. The spill was apparently caused by a human error, and 'concealing the information' only confirms fears about the country's nuclear programme, says Greenpeace.
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