Fuel failures contribute to which of the following as a consequence?

• A. Increased personnel exposures, radioactive waste, and maintenance outage time, plus higher costs from locating the failed fuel
• B. Reduced outages and increased productivity
• C. Lower operational costs
• D. No measurable impact

Answer: (A)

The main idea is that a fuel failure triggers a cascade of corrective actions that raise safety and economic burdens: locating and handling the failed fuel, managing any released fission products, and performing repairs or replacements. This sequence increases worker doses during outages and maintenance, generates additional radioactive waste that must be treated and disposed of, and lengthens maintenance shutdowns, all of which raise costs. The other options overlook these real consequences, implying reduced outages, lower costs, or no impact, which does not reflect how a fuel failure affects plant operations.