*** Fukushima *** and other nuclear-----updates and links

Geiger counters fly off shelf after Japan disaster

Because of worries about radioactive contaminants since the Fukushima nuclear reactor meltdown in March, Geiger counters, which measure radiation levels, have sold out even as prices have quadrupled in Tokyo. That stiff demand, says Shanghai Ergonomics Chairman Li Jinglei, has spurred a gray market of products built in makeshift Chinese factories that sometimes use faulty parts and shoddy designs or are simply fakes.

Read more: [link to www.sfgate.com]

Japan villagers hold memorial in nuke plant shadow

Wearing full-body protective gear and white face masks because of the continued risk of radiation exposure, the families bowed their heads in silence Sunday before a shattered public hall as a Buddhist priest chanted sutras and burned incense for the dead. Their village, Okuma, is where four of the nuclear plant's six reactors are located.

[link to www.forbes.com]

Fukushima Fallout Update July 21, 2011

- Japan's science ministry says air above the ground about 150 kilometers from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant is as radioactive as areas 50 kilometers from the source of radioactivity.

- Tokyo Electric Power Company or TEPCO, the plant's operator, says that at 7 AM local time on Thursday, the level of contaminated water pooled at the basement of the building of the No. 1 reactor was 44 centimeters up from the previous day.

- A system to decontaminate radioactive water at the crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant continues to work below its target capacity.

The system's decontamination rate was about 53 percent during the past week, compared with the target rate of 70 percent. It has been unable to reach the target rate for 3 consecutive weeks.

- It's the lowest operating rate ever, since the system went into full operation with highly contaminated water about a month ago.

The news was released one day after the announcement of the successful completion of the "step 1" in TEPCO/Japanese government's "roadmap" to somewhere (over the rainbow, way up high... it is not reality-based any more, if ever)."

- the spent fuel pool (SFP) temperatures are rising according to the JAIF daily reports as is the temperature in Unit 3 at the bottom of the RPV.

[link to www.pacificfreepress.com]

Open letter to nuclear experts

As a father who has evacuated his wife and children from our home near the mess at the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear plant, I would like to share a couple of insights that will hopefully inform the debate, or the lack of one, that has been raging:

-Forget about Chernobyl, Hiroshima and Windscale; the timelines, locations, climate, topography, wind patterns and groundwater systems are all different.

- Authorities have not taken systematic readings. Air, water and soil samples have not been taken in areas that matter.

-That livestock seem to be receiving more attention than children in the region is a disgrace. On March 10, we would not have been able to imagine that our children would be attending contaminated schools wearing dosimeters.

- Internal radioactivity will be passed on to our children's children. Cesium will remain in the environment for 150 years.

[link to search.japantimes.co.jp]

Had to revisit this. From my less than popular thread....

Japan Communist Leader says Tepco and Jap. Gov't lying about Fuku
Quote [+]

Japan Communist Party head Kazuo Shii (a respected figure, notwithstanding his political affiliation) calls the 'evil pentagon' of vested interests promoting the widespread use of nuclear power in Japan are coming under the spotlight.

A revised official road map published on July 19 said that progress towards stabilising the damaged reactors (which melted down almost completely after cooling systems failed) was on track and that it should be possible to achieve 'cold shutdown' (manageable reactor temperatures) by the year's end.

This optimism is by no means universally shared, however. Mr Shii, for one, insists that 'no end to the Fukushima crisis is in sight'.

A graduate in solid state physics from the University of Tokyo, he is at least as well versed in science as any other politician, and is listened to.

Reactors in the Fukushima Daiichi (No 1) complex are still a 'black box' that the government cannot see into (because of intense radioactivity) and into which it is 'pouring cooling water' hoping for the best, he says. And highly radioactive water is still escaping from them.
'The government should stop making optimistic statements that are not justified and instead (be transparent about) the worst-case scenario,' Mr Shii adds.
[link to www.businesstimes.com.sg]


- I've been saying this since Tepco started reporting about being near to 'cold shutdown'. How exactly does one achieve that with 3 active nuclear fuel meltdowns?

The reactor vessels are breached. And there's metal fatigue. Damaged cooling mechanicals and electronics. The whole system is more than likely completely corroded from the seawater. Etc.

It's pure bullshit and now that is verified by one of their own. A respected well-educated man.

All they can do is lie and obfuscate to distract while building their little tents to hide the truth... and of course, the pumping of tons and tons of water continues.

When they do get the enclosures completed they will be able to make controlled releases of radiation and hide it from the world. All they'll have to do is open the vents after the radiation builds up inside.

There are 3 reactors, 4 SFPs and a larger common pool. They all must be cooled. Steam will continue to carry radiation into the atmosphere.

What else can they do?

Report: University radiation test finds 56.9 microsieverts/hour at elementary school drain — 20.8 at gov’t building, 20 times higher than official numbers
[link to enenews.com]

- hmmm. Sounds like somebody has been fibbing again.

Cesium-134 in water near Reactor No. 3 climbs to 30 times maximum limit — May have been caused by typhoon

[...] Levels of cesium-134 in seawater near the Fukushima plant’s No. 3 reactor rose to levels 30 times the allowed safety standards last week, according to tests performed by Tokyo Electric Power Co, national broadcaster NHK reported. [...]

[link to enenews.com]

- think I mentioned this would be a problem a few days ago. Obviously the radioactive water was washing into the sea.

Japan to Buy Australian Beef on Nuclear Radiation Concern, AACo Says

[link to www.bloomberg.com]

Japanese Nuclear Emergency Director: You Have No Right to a Radiation-Free Life

OOPS!

URGENT / Japanese nuclear-polluted tires enter Iraq

[link to en.aswataliraq.info]

U.S. heat wave causes new look at nuclear energy

President Barack Obama said not long ago: "We've got to recognize that nuclear power, if it's safe, can make a significant contribution to the climate change question."

Mr. Obama has called for billions in loan guarantees to build new nuclear reactors.

But past disasters like Fukushima, Japan, Three Mile Island and Chernobyl have made Americans fearful of nuclear energy.

"No nuclear power plant is walk away safe, and I think it is deceptive to paint any technology in that light. These plants have not been operated yet. These calculations are based on paper studies," said Edwin Lyman, a senior scientist with the Union of Concerned Scientists.

Still, construction on new plants in the U.S. is moving forward. The next disaster may be impossible to predict, but we know the cost of miscalculation.
[link to www.cbsnews.com]

Fear as suspect Japan fish enters Dar market

And in Dar es Salaam, a statement signed by permanent secretary in the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Ms Blandina Nyoni, said 124.999 tonnes of fish suspected to have radioactive elements were imported by sea on July 18.
However, said the statement, on July 24, the government, in collaboration with TFDA and the police, seized 123.673 tonnes, indicating that at least 1.319 tonnes of the fish had already been transported upcountry or supplied in the city.The consignment was imported by the Alphakrust Ltd Company of Dar es Salaam from Kaneyama Corporation, a Japanese company based in Chiba, Japan.

[link to thecitizen.co.tz]

they should of poured the urine on him

You go, Allison...

Eyes on Spent Fuel Pools at Reactor Safety Public Meeting


Allison Fisher, outreach director of Public Citizen's Energy Program, says the spent fuel proposals do not go far enough.
"The task force recommendations, which include requiring nuclear plant operators to re-evaluate seismic and flooding risks and increase back-up power capacity, could help address some of the critical safety deficiencies that proved catastrophic in Japan.
However, the task force fails to address the risks associated with spent fuel pool vulnerabilities," she wrote in a response dated July 19 that is posted on Public Citizen's website.
"Fuel pools were designed for the temporary storage of a limited number of spent fuel assemblies. The amount of waste has increased beyond the design capacity of the pools. (U.S. reactors generated about 65,000 metric tons of spent fuel by the end of 2010, of which 75 percent is stored in pools.)
If water is lost from a densely packed pool because of an attack or accident, ambient air alone would not keep the fuel assemblies cool. This could result in a fire and the release of large quantities of radioactive materials into the environment," she continued.
"Of particular concern are the types of reactors like those used in Japan -– which are found in nearly a quarter of reactors in the U.S. Moving spent fuel from overcrowded and poorly located spent fuel pools to hardened on-site storage would mitigate some of the concerns about our mounting nuclear waste crisis."

[link to ohsonline.com]

Last Edited by Waterbug on 07/25/2011 08:18 PM

Govt Has Responsibility For Being Unable To Prevent Fukushima Accident: Edano

Japan's top government spokesman said Monday the government has responsibility for being unable to prevent the Fukushima nuclear accident after the March 11 earthquake and tsunami in northeastern Japan.

"In a broad sense, the government certainly has the responsibility for having promoted nuclear power policy along with nuclear power operators," Chief Cabinet Secretary Yukio Edano said during a parliamentary session Monday. "The government also has the responsibility for not being able to prevent this accident," Edano said.

[link to e.nikkei.com]

Nuclear safety: Commission full of questions

But even if the suggestions are implemented, Americans can have little confidence the Nuclear Regulatory Commission will administer them properly. That is because of a report earlier this year that commission officials altered their own rules many times, allowing nuclear power plant operators to bend and sometimes break regulations intended to avoid catastrophes.

Then there was the report that Jaczko was not candid in discussing another critical program with his fellow commissioners. It involved President Barack Obama's plan to stop work on a nuclear waste repository at Yucca Mountain, Nev. Some commissioners expressed surprise on hearing the program was being scrapped, saying Jaczko had not kept them in the loop on it.
[link to www.observertoday.com]

Health and Safety Considerations: Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant Workers at Risk of Heat-Related Illness

Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) has been criticized for reliance on contract workers for the dirtiest and most dangerous tasks, and for lack of concern and oversight for their health care. Reuters reported in June on a call by physicians to the Japanese government to provide a system of care that would ensure improved worker safety at Fukushima.

Since May, TEPCO has been gradually taking corrective actions after one worker died and several workers began suffering from heat-related illness while working in their personal protective equipment (PPE).

Unfortunately, as of July 19th another worker has succumbed to severe heat stroke, bringing the total number to 33.

[link to japanfocus.org]

Fukushima to provide lifetime thyroid tests in wake of nuclear crisis

The Fukushima Prefectural Government decided on July 24 to provide lifetime thyroid gland tests for some 360,000 prefectural residents aged 18 and under to help detect thyroid cancer triggered by radiation from the crisis-hit Fukushima No. 1 Nuclear Power Plant.

The free tests will be launched in October. Eligible residents will be tested once every two years until the age of 20, and once every five years thereafter. The prefectural government's move is said to be unprecedented.

[link to mdn.mainichi.jp]

Radiation tester in hot demand via beef scare

Retailers and consumers are inundating a private institute testing various items for radioactive materials to confirm the safety of beef products amid reports that cattle exposed to cesium were shipped nationwide, institute officials said.

[link to search.japantimes.co.jp]

Domestic flights resume at Sendai

[link to www.yomiuri.co.jp]

Desperate Families Say Soviets Reacted More Efficiently to Chernobyl, than Japan to Fukushima

Six days ago, people in Fukushima met with government officials from Tokyo to demand that the government evacuate people promptly in Fukushima and provide financial and logistical support for them.

As instructed, they also brought urine samples from their children to the meeting and demanded that the government test it. The Tokyo officials refused to collect the urine samples. At the head of the officials, is Akira Satch, Director of the local Nuclear Emergency Response Headquarters.

[link to www.salem-news.com]

I am glad you are keeping this thread alive and updated. This situation is appalling. The shill/psy-op enthusiasts are put in force lately, more so than after this mess began.

Radiation is undeniably higher throughout the world since this nightmare began

On the other hand, it might not be quite as bad as some make it out to be. We have many friendly, feral cats which have been rained on and drank rain water exclusively since Fuku. Two had litters of kittens, one right after Fuku and the other a few weeks ago. The first batch had 3 survivors, all healthy so far. The others became part of the food chain before they were weaned.
The second cat conceived around when the first rainouts happened. It has never had any healthy litters which survived previously. All kittens were sickly, but this batch she had 6 healthy kittens. This cat survives primarily off of vermin it hunts as well, so it should have accumulated whatever was available.
We had some of the highest cpm in the country most of this time and, being in the mtns. we squeeze it all so theoretically we should have gotten it hard. Although we had few rains after March they should have been well laden with isotopes.

So, no apparent abnormalities in critters fully exposed since the beginning to all contaminants in air, food, and water.

Pardon the optimism. We are probably all still screwed with the addition of these extra toxins to our already dangerously contaminated world, but the problems probably won't manifest themselves until a few years down the road at least, for the US anyway.
I wouldn't want to be in Japan though. There are going to be some serious consequences for much of that country.

Radioactive songbirds coming your way soon with the help of Japan's "Operation Sunflower".

Entergy to refuel Vt. nuclear plant, defying state

[link to www.bizjournals.com]

Thread: I'm from seattle and I have realized...

better read that thread

Savannah River Nuclear Solutions facing $243,750 in fines for contamination accident

According to a preliminary notice of violation issued last week by the Energy Department’s Office of Health, Safety and Enforcement, officials found four violations of radiation protection and nuclear safety regulations in the areas of occupational dose limits, written procedures and work processes, training and qualification, and quality assurance.

[link to chronicle.augusta.com]

Nuclear Security Funding Reduction Knocked

The House earlier this month approved a spending bill that would cut nearly $1 billion from the nuclear weapons and nonproliferation accounts at the National Nuclear Security Administration. That includes removing $428 million from the roughly $2 billion request for efforts to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons and materials.

Under the budget blueprint approved by the House Appropriations Committee, $120 million of that reduction would have come from the Global Threat Reduction Initiative. The NNSA program aims to secure or eliminate potentially vulnerable fissile materials and to convert research reactors powered by weapon-usable highly enriched uranium to use proliferation-resistant low-enriched uranium fuel.

[link to www.globalsecuritynewswire.org]

Indian salivates on nuclear technology

India and USA celebrated signing of a “civil nuclear deal” in March 2006. Under the deal India committed 14 of its 22 nuclear power plants as being for civil use retaining 8 to produce weapon grade fissile material. On August 1, 2008, the IAEA approved the Indian Safeguard Agreement and on September 6, 2008, India was granted waiver at the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) paving way for nuclear trade with other willing countries.

[link to pakobserver.net]

Morning greens: CA’s nuclear waste has nowhere to go, rabid bats invade Los Angeles suburb

Just what is California’s nuclear waste burden? KQED reports “Nearly 3,000 tons of spent nuclear fuel have accumulated at nuclear power plants in California with nowhere to take it.” Per Peterson chairs the nuclear engineering department at UC Berkeley and is member of a White House commission on nuclear waste solutions. He told KQED, “This country has an obligation to those states and those communities to take those materials and put them into deep geologic disposal, where they can be safely isolated for a very long period of time.”

[link to www.scpr.org]

NRC Releases Study of Yucca Waste-Site Application

House Republicans have requested that NRC Chairman Gregory Jaczko provide e-mails and documents related to the Energy Department plans to build the waste dump at Yucca Mountain, about 100 miles (161 kilometers) from Las Vegas.

Republicans have said Jaczko, a former science adviser to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, stalled work on the site for political reasons, which the NRC chairman has denied. Reid, a Nevada Democrat, has led opposition to Yucca Mountain.

An NRC staff e-mail obtained by the House Energy and Commerce Committee showed Jaczko or his staff “were involved in the alteration of the original languageof the technical report,,” according to a July 8 letter to the NRC chairman from Representative Fred Upton, a Michigan Republican and head of the committee, and Representative John Shimkus, an Illinois Republican. They also want to know if Jaczko used an e-mail address other than his official NRC account to send or receive information about the Yucca project.


[link to www.bloomberg.com]

Split Within Nuclear Regulatory Agency

This is not the first indication of conflict within the agency. After an inquiry, the commission’s inspector general reported last month that some staff members were troubled by Mr. Jaczko’s aggressive management style and by his decision to halt the staff’s work on an Energy Department proposal to build a nuclear waste repository in the Nevada desert. The Obama administration has shelved that project, drawing criticism from many Republican members of Congress.

[link to www.nytimes.com]