current radiation levels are less because there has only been a partial meltdown But the Chernobyl reactor had 190 tonnes of uranium. Japan has 6 reactors with 100 tonnes each, total 600 tonnes. And also 1000s of tonnes in the used fuel storage pool which is outside the containment area I'm no expert here, but that sounds like a lot more if they cannot keep the fuel rods cool and you have a "full scale" meltdown?
You and me must have something in us. First we survived Swine Flu when the media and the internet told us half the world was probably going to die. Then we survived SARs when again the media and the internet told us half the world was probably going to die. Now the media and the internet are telling us the same thing re Japan but we're still kicking
bad news they seem to have abandoned the plan to spray water form the ground because the high pressure pump is not strong enough to get close to the reactors and radiation levels are too high
For now, the biggest concern at the No. 3 reactor is the uranium-plutonium fuel, called MOX (for mixed oxides of uranium and plutonium), that was loaded into the reactor last year, Moglen said. Hence, it is likely that spent fuel rods stored outside the reactorâs containment vessel are uranium-only. "So far, the world has had no major accidents involving release of the plutonium fuel called MOX," said Ira Helfand, a member of the board of Physicians for Social Responsibility. "However, with plutonium inside reactor No. 3, if it melts down or explodes, then even microscopic quantities of particulate will cause lung cancer in anyone who inhales it. The whole area will have to be cordoned off." Helfand noted that plutonium has a half-life of 24,000 years, warning that if it burns through a containment vessel, it could release vast amounts of radioactive steam wherever the molten material encounters ground water. "The use of plutonium in MOX fuel generated a lot of Japanese resistance, especially locally, including the mayor, who expressed worry about safety at the reactor. But it was loaded into reactor No. 3 last year anyway," Moglen said. "Now, what the Japanese authorities need to report on [are] the constituents of the radioactive materials being released." Plutonium is weak emitter that registers low on radiation detectors, but it is an intensely radio-toxic material. If inhaled by humans even in microscopic quantities, it would likely cause fatal lung cancer within 18 to 20 years, Moglen estimated. Authorities have confirmed that radioactive iodine, which causes thyroid cancer, and cesium, which causes leukemia, have been detected in the air around Tokyo, according to Moglen. However, if the No. 3 reactor's core melts down, plutonium will likely be one of the constituents discharged directly into the air. http://www.eetimes.com/electronics-...reactions-stoke-nuclear-tensions?pageNumber=0
it has gone very quiet..they have stopped cooling efforts on the number 3 reactor what the plan is now? where is the concrete coffin - surely they shold have it ready ...just in case????
breaking news! (from NHK) self defence force is resuming water spraying from the ground... this is the military police efforts were halted due to higher radiation smacks of desperation I'm afraid but where is the concrete coffin?
I think the comparison between the current situation and Chernobyl are laughable. I guess that goes to show you the difference between an event that had no media coverage (and that the Russians didn't admit to until the radioactivity was detected in Sweden) and one this is being hyped endlessly 24/7 by the media. I'm not saying that this couldn't end up as bad as Chernobyl but currently it is not even in the same league. Chernobyl exploded and spewed radioactive particles over a huge area ( as well as the atmosphere). Contrast that with what we have here, the plant itself is emitting radiation but it isn't spewing tons of radioactive particles. Please before anyone else makes the Chernobyl reference - take the time to read at least a summary of what happened at Chernobyl.