Fukushima articles

{1} MONUMENTAL Troubles at Fukushima. From BAD to WORSE Aug 31, 2013 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xT1-rkJCiuU
{2} New Photos From Inside Fukushima Daiichi Jan 16, 2012 http://www.fukuleaks.org/web/?p=4554
{3} Mission Impossible? Fukushima scientists brace for riskiest nuclear fuel clean-up yet
Aug 15, 2013 http://fairewinds.org/media/in-the-news/mission-impossible-fukushima-scientists-brace-for-riskiest-nuclear-fuel-clean-up-yet

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Extremely challenging maneuvers must be performed manually underwater though the rods and frames are already damaged by an earlier explosion. Normally computerized cranes that were destroyed do this, but now workers who can tolerate only so much radiation before receiving a lethal dose, must handle it. There’s little confidence in the capacity of Fukushima Dai-ichi’s operator, Tepco, to do this flawlessly. Japan’s PM Abe is now {4}finally asking for international help.

{5}Many people are raising the alarm about this impending operation that threatens potential radiation release in amounts that could have major impacts on Japan and the whole planet. Radiation from the original explosions was detected {6}along the west coast within a week. And see here{7}.

Fukushima has been pouring {8}tons of intensely radioactive water daily into the ocean since the March 11, 2011 earthquake and tsunami caused three meltdowns and multiple explosions. While many people assume that the ocean will dilute the Fukushima radiation, a previously secret 1955 U.S. government report concluded that {9}the ocean may not adequately dilute radiation from nuclear accidents – there could be “pockets” and “streams” of highly concentrated radiation. See here {10} and here {11}.

Scientists from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and from GEOMAR Research Center for Marine Geosciences did a simulation that shows radiation on the West Coast of North America could end up being 10 times higher than in Japan from the way ocean currents move away from the Fukushima area. See here {12} and here {13}.

However, the NOAA and GEOMAR simulation study was based on a single tracer-cloud moving within the ocean. They didn’t allow for the actual situation of the continuous flooding of intensely radioactive water into the Pacific. No one knows how to stop the continuous flow of contamination created by the tons of water workers are using to cool the three melted-through reactor cores and from groundwater pouring through the radioactive site. It isn’t from a one-time spill that they must calculate impact to our coast, it’s from a massive continuous flow. Already Japanese tests of plankton showed elevated levels of Cesium 134 and 137 in {14}all ten areas of the Pacific they sampled. This could be the beginning of a {15}potential epidemic of radiation-related deaths from fish in the Pacific. 

{4} Senior adviser for Fukushima cleanup says foreign assistance needed Oct 17, 2013 http://japandailypress.com/senior-adviser-for-fukushima-cleanup-says-foreign-assistance-needed-1738025/
{5} After disaster, the deadliest part of Japan’s nuclear clean-up Aug 14, 2013 http://fairewinds.org/media/in-the-news/after-disaster-the-deadliest-part-of-japans-nuclear-clean-up
{6} World Action Now on Fukushima - Harvey Wasserman Oct 4, 2013 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NucjTiOXxSQ
{7} West Coast of North America to Be Hit Hard by Fukushima Radiation Aug 20, 2013 http://www.washingtonsblog.com/2013/08/west-coast-of-north-america-to-be-hit-hard-by-fukushima-radiation.html
{8} Radiation Soars 6,700 Times Legal Limit as Fukushima Disasters Continue Unabated 'Clean-up' a litany of failures: near daily leaks, escalating danger, TEPCO and government cover-up Oct 4, 2013 http://www.commondreams.org/headline/2013/10/04-6
{9} Nuclear Tuna and NPR's Trivialization May 31, 2012 http://www.ips-dc.org/blog/nuclear_tuna_and_nprs_trivialization
{10} Previously-Secret 1955 Government Report Concluded that Ocean May Not Adequately Dilute Radiation from Nuclear Accidents June 1, 2012 http://www.washingtonsblog.com/2012/06/why-the-ocean-may-not-adequately-dilute-the-radiation-from-fukushima.html
{11} Tank Has Leaked Tons of Contaminated Water at Japan Nuclear Site Aug 20, 2013 http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/21/world/asia/300-tons-of-contaminated-water-leak-from-japanese-nuclear-plant.html?_r=2&
{12} Model simulations on the long-term dispersal of 137Cs released into the Pacific Ocean off Fukushima 9 July 2012 http://iopscience.iop.org/1748-9326/7/3/034004/article?v_showaffiliations=yes
{13} Radiation On West Coast of North America Could End Up Being 10 Times HIGHER than in Japan July 16, 2012 http://www.washingtonsblog.com/2012/07/radiation-in-west-coast-of-north-america-could-be-10-times-higher-than-japan.html
{14} Researchers find high cesium in some Pacific plankton May 22, 2013 http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2013/05/22/national/researchers-find-high-cesium-in-some-pacific-plankton/#.UmRVlVNmLdP
{15} Fish data belie Japan's claims on Fukushima Oct 2, 2013 http://www.straight.com/life/497646/fish-data-belie-japans-claims-fukushima

Washington Post: It’s an environmental disaster, radioactivity levels in ocean hundreds of times above normal — NHK: Countries around Pacific worried about ongoing Fukushima leaks, gov’t wants testing up to 3,000 km offshore (VIDEO) http://enenews.com/washington-post-its-an-environmental-disaster-radioactivity-levels-hundreds-of-times-above-normal-in-pacific-nhk-countries-worried-about-fukushima-leaks-govt-wants-testing-up-to-3000-km-of

 

 

Latest Headlines from ENENews

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• Gov’t scientists unsure why giant fish washing up dead on West Coast, “testing tissue for radiation” — “One dead oarfish is odd, two is a pattern” — PBS: “After the Fukushima nuclear disaster, there were accounts of several washing ashore”
• TV: Powerful typhoon bearing down on Japan — Prolonged heavy rainfall for Fukushima, and “the tanks are full” — “Potentially devastating interaction” with Typhoon Lekima, now a Category 5 (VIDEO)
• Scientific Reports: It’s “remarkable” where plutonium from Fukushima reactor is suspected to have been found — “Even more unexpected” that it’s located outside main strip of contamination — Need to assess consequences for public of a release of plutonium-rich hot particles (PHOTO)
• Fukushima Workers Speak Out: We hide accidents at plant — CNN: Health is suffering — CBS: Radioactive materials “just pour right in” after cleanup (VIDEOS)
• Nuclear Expert: Concern about structures at Fukushima plant holding up during typhoon — Risk of much, much more severe spread of contamination (VIDEO)
• Japan Times: Concern mounts at Fukushima, big typhoons may collide — Francisco to be “unable to move” due to Lekima, says forecast — High threat of landslides, flash floods (PHOTO)