From DemocracyNow's headlines:

Japan Raises Nuclear Alert; Burying of Reactors Mulled



Japan’s nuclear crisis continues to worsen as authorities race to find a way to cool the overheating reactors at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power station. Earlier today, Japan raised the nuclear alert level at the crippled plant from a four to a five, on par with Three Mile Island. Japan is continuing to dump water on the reactors while attempting to fix a power cable that could help restart the water pumps needed to cool the overheating nuclear fuel rods. For the first time, Japanese engineers have conceded they have considered burying the nuclear reactors in sand and concrete, the same method used to seal huge leakages from Chernobyl in 1986. At the White House, President Obama said radiation from the Japan reactor is not expected to reach the United States. He also announced a review of the nation’s nuclear power plants.



Japan itself, who has been downplaying this disaster all along, is now escalating the level of this event to a category 5 (equal to Three Mile Island), saying it's getting worse (for reference, Chernobyl was a level 7. More here). So, the experts, and Japan itself, are saying this is as bad as Three Mile Island but not yet as bad as Chernobyl. But some are saying this can become as bad as Chernobyl (not how it happened, but in how much radiation is released and the end effects).

I haven't seen much "hype" in the media. In fact, depending on which shows you watch, the coverage has been very restrained and attempts to educate have been fairly well done on a few programs. And in many cases there have been nothing but apologists for the nuclear industry featured as commentators (in fact virtually the entire Right-wing talk media is saying this is not a problem at all  ----- or it's "God's will"!)

I think the main thing that might lead to speculation on anyone's part is that we don't have all the details, they hadn't been releasing info on the actual measured levels of radiation, etc. Again, Japan and Tepco have not been very forthcoming.

Yesterday in fact, when questioned about the 50 mile evacuation zone recommended by the US but contested by Japan, Japan did NOT say 50 miles was extreme, they simply said "well we have different opinions of the outcome" or some odd bullshit answer like that. It seems that the true motivation of Japan's decision to have a smaller evacuation area is that due to limited fuel and transportation available, damage to infrastructure, etc. Japan cannot evacuate that larger amount of people in the larger evacuation zone, so maybe this is why they are not recommending the 50 mile evacuation zone.

In any case, today you can watch Democracy Now for full details. Guests include Ralph Nader and other experts in the field.

And from Greenpeace itself:

Summary: Status of facilities

Reactors 1-3: water level in reactors low (about half of fuel rods exposed), no grid power, seawater injection apparently ongoing. Fuel rods have certainly damaged and are releasing radioactive substances.

Fire department has brought in 30 more trucks, at least one reported to be a “Super Bomber” able to shoot to a distance of 2 kilometers. Yesterday police trucks were unable to operate close to plant because of high radiation levels, only SDF (Self Defense Force) trucks that can be operated from inside the cabin were used.

Spent fuel pools of units 1&2: Water levels in Unit 1 are decreasing. Steam was reported from unit 2, expected to be boiling.

Spent fuel pool of unit 3: Water in #3 almost depleted, but Tepco hopes some water is left. Fuel rods have certainly damaged, releasing radioactive substances. The reactor buildings are heavily damaged, allowing releases directly to outside air.

Spent fuel pool of unit 4: Water level very unclear.

Spent fuel pools of units 5&6: Temperatures still rising, water left but level unclear.


Worst case scenarios

* The zirconium contained in the fuel rod cladding can react violently with air, if exposed for hours. This fire would release and spread very large amounts of radioactivity high up in the air. Wide disagreement on the probability of this happening.

* A large amount of molten fuel accumulates at the bottom and a nuclear reaction starts. Very low probability and can be prevented if there is any borated water in the pool.

* Reactor boils dry, molten core breaches reactor pressure vessel and comes in contact with the water in the containment, which boils rapidly causing a steam explosion.

* A major risk is an event (e.g. increased release of radioactivity from a spent fuel pool due to overheating) that raises local radiation levels to completely intolerable levels - preventing further work to restore cooling.

Tepco seemed to suggest that encasing the plant in concrete is an option if cooling efforts fail (according to Reuters live feed).

Wind



Local wind speed slowed down considerably in the morning but direction remained towards the sea. Winds towards Tokyo are still feared for Sunday.



As far as "anti-nuclear radicals", I myself am one. Nuclear energy is far too dangerous, the industry is massively corrupt (as evidenced by the numerous criminal cover-ups of major near-disasters that have become common knowledge but virtually ignored by the mainstream media), and there's nowhere to store the waste. I agree we need alternatives to coal, oil and natural gas, but it seems with the same funding that nuclear gets we could develop truly green sources- wind, solar, etc (and simply push conservation as well).

Sean

Last Edited By: LAM Mar 18 11 3:09 PM. Edited 5 times.