WARNING: FUKUSHIMA 3 facing meltdown, official now

Best quote in this whole mess!!

Indeed, that is when we were getting REAL updates and information. After reactor one explosion media black out went into effect and we have learned absolutely nothing really. The explosion was only admitted after videos had already proven it. Other then that is all just everything is under control and safe so basically no information :(

The below is from www.nirs.org -- the reactor #3 at Daiichi is loaded with MOx - mixed oxide plutonium - fuel - meaning it has a sizeable percentage of plutonium molecules, a single one of which can induce lung cancer if inhaled. It has been estimated that a kilogram of plutonium, if made airborne in the right locations could kill the entire human race with lung cancer.

From 6 to 10 feet of the core, which is probably total 15 to 18 feet in length, has been uncovered. This means the fuel has swollen and probably has set afire its zirconium cheathing (aka cladding). As it says below, there is also leakage - this is a reactor that they've been pumping sea water through, madly, to control heat, and it is probably running out very quickly and seawater is not a very effective coolant (the same way the coolant in your car's radiator is far better at conveying heat than mere water).

This is an ultimately serious development. If there is a meltdown and the radioactive stuff becomes airborne it is far more dangerous - and has a 220,000 - two hundred twenty thousand YEAR - half-life. So all this trash talk that it's going into the ocean doesn't mean anything, especially if it's plute.

tjl

Below is the NIRS message

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The nuclear crisis in Japan has taken a turn for the worse this afternoon, as Tokyo Electric Power (Tepco) has reported that six to ten feet of the core of its Fukushima Daiichi Unit 3 reactor has been uncovered for a considerable period of time despite efforts to pump seawater into the reactor. Moreover, Tepco says it believes water may be leaking and preventing the water from covering the core. According to a translation of a Tepco statement by our Japanese colleagues, "The fuel's integrity has been considerably compromised. We are assessing a considerably serious situation." This unit uses plutonium-based MOX (mixed-oxide) fuel; accident consequences from a reactor that uses MOX fuel are even higher than for a more traditional uranium-fueled reactor.

At this point it is clear there has been some fuel melting at Fukushima Daiichi, probably at both Units 1 and 3. What we don't know yet is whether that will continue or whether utility workers will be successful at preventing any further melting. We hope they are successful and wish them our best. They are working under intolerable conditions and getting exposed to high levels of radiation in their ongoing effort to prevent a broader disaster. We believe that a catastrophic accident still can be prevented.

In all, there remain six reactors in various stages of trouble at two sites in Fukushima. Another three reactors, further north at Onagawa, are in a low-level state of emergency, although the utility there says they are under control.

We are regularly updating the situation as we receive reliable information and posting new relevant documents as we identify them. Check the front page of our website, www.nirs.org, often for these updates.

,_._,___

MSNBC: States of emergency declared in six Fukushima reactors. Is that new? I'm having a hard time keeping track!

Agreed, If the Radiation is 1,000 times higher in a reactor without Mox then what will this #3 reactor with Mox actually do to us.
This kind of info should be released with also a way people can prepare for it, if there is any way to prepare for it.

Pumping seawater in was an unprecedented science experiment and was a desperate measure.

ALL THREE are in meltdown as we speak. Sorry if this was already posted.. I am not going to read the entire thread. Thanks OP.

WARNING: BULLETIN: Fuel rods fully exposed again at Fukushima nuclear power plant: TEPCO
TOKYO, March 15, Kyodo

Tokyo Electric Power Co. said Monday fuel rods were fully exposed again in the No. 2 reactor of the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant as of 11 p.m.

TEPCO said a steam vent of the pressure container of the reactor that houses the rods was closed for some reason, leading to a sudden drop in water levels inside the reactor.

==Kyodo new agency

From Cnn:

Workers have been pouring a mixture of seawater and boron into the reactors in what experts have called a last-ditch attempt to prevent a meltdown -- a catastrophic failure of the reactor core, with a potential for widespread radiation release.

BREAKING NEWS: Radiation twice the maximum seen so far detected at nuke plant Monday: TEPCO

Levels reached twice the maximum levels which are considered safe to humans.

Boron is also used after a meltdown, so they may be anticipating this eventuality.

[link to www.ustream.tv]

YokosoNews said somewhere they detected 3 mSv/hr or 3000 uSv/hr. =O Thats only like 6 x-rays PER SECOND!

Yeah, this dude has been doing an amazing job since the quake

[link to www.ustream.tv]

fucking hilarious.... he said the diesel pump ran out of fuel FFS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Meanwhile...all I heard on Fox was, don't worry, its not dangerous. No damage to the containment house. Move along people..omgosh. what happened to journalism?

fantastic...

3 mSv/hr would be 0.03 Sv/hr....

1 Sv = 100 Rads..... for comparison.

Yeah, when I think safety, I think Hoboken

BREAKING NEWS:
9,5 micro-sievert radiation detected

Fukushima plant

TEPKO PRESS CONF

Time to get radiation detectors, iodide pills, heirloom seeds, bugout backpacks or just stay home and get your groceries delivered.
[link to www.a1aweb.com]

130 micro-sievert, sorry

9.5 MICRO seiverts is absolutely benign. Inside is supposed to be kept 10 or less for working conditions lol. That absolutely can't be true if they are referring to anywhere near these molten reactors. 9.5 MILLI seiverts would be a serious problem!

Not really much more impressive, though certainally a big difference from 9 lol. I still thik that number is waaaaaaay low for what it should be. I would think it would at the very least be 1000 uSv.

130 microSievert, almost 1000 times higher then normal radiation levels. These are the current levels outside the Fukushima plant.

Tepko press conference, live now

"It has been estimated that a kilogram of plutonium, if made airborne in the right locations could kill the entire human race with lung cancer."

PHUCK!

130 uSv/hr = 0.00130 Sv/hr... 1 Sv = 100 Rad

So... yea, 130 micro Sievert's is not THAT bad.... but yes, if radiation is increasing, it's gotta be coming from somewhere........

"So. . . why not just let the core meltdown? I've seen statement numerous times that that the molten core will probably not escape the steel reactor vessel, and if it somehow did, it wouldn't escape the thick concrete containment."



"My understanding is there is fear that possibly the molten fuel could concentrate at the bottom of the vessel and achieve criticality again. In that case it seems like there would be a risk that it could melt through the steel vessel and subsequently the containment floor."


These are Nuclear industry people talking about the present situation in Fukushima.

Japanese officials say the nuclear fuel rods appear to be melting inside all three of the most troubled nuclear reactors, according to Associated Press.

Well, if we have 3 meltdowns, you can pretty much about Japan, the surrounding areas.

Then, we will see how the Pacific Ocean will fare....