Joe Don Baker's character Jedburgh is the same as the code name of a WWII sabotage
group that worked with the French underground to parachute agents behind enemy lines. The code name was taken from a Scotish town. His character's name is therefore suggestive of the sort of part he will play in the drama.
Radiation release accidents from accidental criticality events at reprocessing plants, as appears to have occurred at "the hot cell" at Northmoor have happened in reality.
While it is unclear what exactly occurred, it is not difficult to imagine a very small change in process resulting from the GAIA members rushing into the plant could cause an accident. The Tokaimura 1999 event which occurred after the timeframe here, and should have better safety procedures from improved process knowledge, was the result of a slow drift from approved processes.
The 1992 Tomsk accident is still a little unclear due to legacy secrecy but likely resulted from a single failure of process (failure to use compressed air to clear the dissolved product). It is likewise a good model of loss or delay of a single step in the process that could cause a catastrophic accident from interruption or distraction. This resulted in an explosion, destroying multiple floors of the plant, as well as a widespread exterior release, which the Northmoor mine situation concealed (except for the water outflow evidence shown).
While it is unclear what exactly occurred, it is not difficult to imagine a very small change in process resulting from the GAIA members rushing into the plant could cause an accident. The Tokaimura 1999 event which occurred after the timeframe here, and should have better safety procedures from improved process knowledge, was the result of a slow drift from approved processes.
The 1992 Tomsk accident is still a little unclear due to legacy secrecy but likely resulted from a single failure of process (failure to use compressed air to clear the dissolved product). It is likewise a good model of loss or delay of a single step in the process that could cause a catastrophic accident from interruption or distraction. This resulted in an explosion, destroying multiple floors of the plant, as well as a widespread exterior release, which the Northmoor mine situation concealed (except for the water outflow evidence shown).
Walt Patterson, who acted as series adviser, was a leading commentator on nuclear affairs, best known for his book Nuclear Power (Penguin, 1976-1986). He later acted as specialist adviser to the British House of Commons Select committee on Environment for their 1986 study, Radioactive Waste. He continues to contribute to the policy debate about energy and environmental issues.