Ralph Eugene Lapp は1971年に次のように述べており、これがチャイナ・シンドロームの最初の用例とされている。 ： ･･･ The behavior of this huge, molten, radioactive mass is difficult to predict but the Ergen report contains an analysis showing that the high-temperature mass would sink into the earth and continue to grow in size for about two years. In dry sand ahot sphere of about 100 feet in diameter might form and persist for a decade. This behavior projection is known as the China syndrome. ･･･ （"Thoughts on Nuclear Plumbing," New York Times, 12 Dec. 1971, p.E11） 引用中の the Ergen report とは、The Ergen Report, 1967 – ECCS, Meltdown studies. by W K Ergen; U.S. Atomic Energy Commission. Advisory Task Force on Power Reactor Emergency Cooling.
