The containment dome of the first reactor is designed to withstand pressures of only 7 pounds per square inch, compared with 50 psi in American-style reactors, leaving the Juragua dome exponentially weaker than an American reactor even in the event that the dome functions perfectly as designed, an unlikely prospect in the current situation.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: A Chernobyl reminder just off our shores

As many as 15 percent of the 5, 000 previously approved welds in the reactor's auxiliary plumbing, containment dome and spent-fuel cooling systems were X-rayed and found to be defective due to air pockets, poor soldiering and heat damage.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: A Chernobyl reminder just off our shores

The dome in Unit 4, however, was removed in November 2010 and the fuel removed for reactor maintenance and to add new fuel rods.

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