This is now the second worst nuclear disaster in the worlds history. Reactor 4 the cement containment dome; fire broke out in reactor that was shut down be for the earthquake. The steel to the core was damaged. There are still many brave souls working in the nuclear plants risking their lives to help save the lives of others. 50 workers in all still working in the Japanese Nuclear Power Plants.
"Early today there was a explosion at the spent fuel pool at the #4 reactor. This was a reactor that had been shut down but all the fuel had been put up in the spent fuel core pool, so it was relventantly hot. That experienced a hydrogen explosion, indicating there was fuel damage. Certaintly, if there is boiling water in another pool that means the water level, covering the spent pool could decrease and we could face another episode of fuel degredation and hydrogen explosion. These pods are not within the leak tight containment. Any radiation released from the damaged fuels and spent fuel pools would communicate directly with the enviroment." -Edwin Lyman PhD
Edwin Lyman PhD, the leading expert on nuclear power in the United States maybe the world says, "there are things that have to be done manually at the plant. I don't know if it can be done, if unattended or kept in a stable state."
A couple hours ago Japanese Officials said, "the water inside the waste store fuel pool inside the nuclear reactor may be boiling."
Dr. Lyman, www.allthingnuclear.org says, "radiation levels increased 100 million background levels and at that rate, someone who is standing at the fence, would start to experience symptoms of Acute Radiation Syndrome, which is a potentially severe and life threatning illness. Even if they leave before breathing in a signifigangnt amount of radiation they woud have increased risk of getting cancer."
The 13 mile radius is now a 19 mile radius and officials are telling the Japanese to stay in doors and avoid exposure. However, Dr. Lyman says , "this won't be good enough if a accident continues to develope...depends on if shelter is lick tight enough, strong, not sure if this is an effective measure."
US 104 Nuclear Power Plants Provide 21% of Americans Power
Three issues if we don not learn from what happened in Japan:
Issue1: Earthquakes- Some plants are located in or near areas of sesmic risk. The U.S. Plants are supposed to be able to withstand the risk plus a margin of safty. Examples: Diablo Canyon built to withstand 7.5 Richter scale earthquake and San Onofre built to withstand 7.0 Richter scale earthquake. Japans earthquake was 9.0!
Issue 2: Plant Design- 31 plants in trouble designed by G&E (General Electric) similar to those in Japan but by same owner. Oyster Creek is the oldest and only 50 miles from New York City.
Issue 3: Back Up Power Systems- Japanese power systems got into trouble because they lost the back up to and had no way to cool the core. Marvin Fertel, from the Nuclear Energy Power Instute, speaks for the nuclear industry says, "we would be able to handle the situation much easier than what Japanese is facing now," because of improvements made during 9-11.
I am not so confident. If past behavior redicts future behavior in this country, than how are we as Americans to feel confident after what happened with Hurrican Katrina? I would hope that we have learned from our own mistakes. Yet I know people who are still living without power or essential resources in the New Oreleans and surrounding areas. So Mr. Fertel I hope you are right.
IN OTHER NEW IN JAPAN
Humanitarian Crisis is rising. 2500 people in Japan confirmed dead but 15,000 still missing and that number is still planning to rise. Today the troops removed 2000 bodies from the shore. Half a million of Japanese are living in shelters and have no access to TV and very little to no contact with the outside world. They have been told "just not to go outside"according to reports.
The first envoy has reached remote fishing villages like the one in Minamisanriku Japan. Once that had a 17 thousand population, now half of their people are missing. Still, Us Navy Ships did begin delivering much needed supplies Sunday. 90 other countries followed suit. The Japanese Red Cross also reported they have already received $23.5 million in donations to help in the effort.
I would like to say that I am very proud of my fellow Navy men and woman, as well as all the other Serviceman and Woman helping with the recovery efforts in Japan. As a former Navy Woman, it warms my heart every time we as Troops step up and do the right things. I understand that it is just apart of the job. But please understand we take great pride in it when we do it because we do the job because we do care. That is why most of us signed up to begin with.
Nevertheless....Tokyo is paralyzed with trains out of service and stores closed. Japans stock markets also took a huge hit the last 2 days. Yesterday it was down by 6% and today it was down by 13%. Experts say fear causes uncertainty. Japan has closed its markets till Thursday, and this is bound to cause a ripple effect across the world.
If there is anymore news on Japan I will let you know. Please feel free to add any information you may have.
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