Finally, some sobering 'truth'

By DAVID E. SANGER and MATTHEW L. WALD
Published: March 16, 2011
WASHINGTON — The chairman of the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission gave a significantly bleaker appraisal of the threat posed by Japan’s nuclear crisis than the Japanese government, saying on Wednesday that the damage at one crippled reactor was much more serious than Japanese officials had acknowledged and advising Americans to evacuate a wider area around the plant than the perimeter established by Japan.

The announcement marked a new and ominous chapter in the five-day long effort by Japanese engineers to bring four side-by-side reactors under control after their cooling systems were knocked out by an earthquake and tsunami last Friday. It also suggested a serious split between Washington and Tokyo, after American officials concluded that the Japanese warnings were insufficient, and that, deliberately or not, they had understated the potential threat of what is taking place inside the nuclear facility.

Gregory Jaczko, the chairman of the commission, said in Congressional testimony that the commission believed that all the water in the spent fuel pool at the No. 4 reactor of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station had boiled dry, leaving fuel rods stored there exposed and bleeding radiation. As a result, he said, “We believe that radiation levels are extremely high, which could possibly impact the ability to take corrective measures.”

If his analysis is accurate and Japanese workers have been unable to keep the spent fuel at that inoperative reactor properly cooled — it needs to remain covered with water at all times — radiation levels could make it difficult not only to fix the problem at reactor No. 4, but to keep workers at the Daiichi complex from servicing any of the other problem reactors at the plant.

Mr. Jaczko (the name is pronounced YAZZ-koe) said radiation levels may make it impossible to continue what he called the “backup backup” cooling functions that have so far helped check the fuel melting at the other reactors. Those efforts consist of using fire hoses to dump water on overheated fuel and then letting the radioactive steam vent into the atmosphere.

Those emergency measures, implemented by a small squad of workers and firemen, are the main steps Japan is taking at Daiichi to forestall a full blown fuel meltdown that would lead to much higher releases of radioactive material.

Mr. Jaczko’s testimony came as the American Embassy in Tokyo, on advice from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, told Americans to evacuate a radius of “approximately 50 miles” from the Fukushima plant.

The advice represents a graver assessment of the risk in the immediate vicinity of Daiichi than the warnings made by the Japanese themselves, who have told everyone within 20 kilometers, about 12 miles, to evacuate, and those between 20 and 30 kilometers to take shelter.

Mr. Jaczko’s testimony, the most extended comments by a senior American official on Japan’s nuclear disaster, described what amounts to an agonizing choice for Japanese authorities: Send a small number of workers into an increasingly radioactive area in a last-ditch effort to cover the spent fuel, and the fuel in other reactors, — with water, or do more to protect the workers but risk letting the pools of water protecting the fuel boil away — and thus risk a broader meltdown.

The Japanese authorities have never been as specific as Mr. Jascko was in his testimony about the situation at reactor No. 4, where they have been battling fires for more than 24 hours. It is possible the authorities there disagree with Mr. Jascko’s conclusion about the exposure of the spent fuel, or that they have chosen not to discuss the matter for fear of panicking people.

Experts say workers at the plant probably could not approach a fuel pool that was dry, because radiation levels would be so high. In a normally operating pool, the water provides not only cooling but also shields workers from gamma radiation. A plan to dump water into the pool, and others like it, from helicopters was suspended because the crews would be flying right into a radioactive plume.

rest here:
http://www.nytimes.c...s...tml?_r=1

Try to find a radiation reading here for those areas:

Japan Map of Radiation Maximums

Its a shame they didn't just stick with their geothermal systems. I mentioned this the other day without doing much research. I could not understand why they were not entirely geothermal. Seems as though they have a lot of that type of generation. I was actually surprised that we generate a lot of electricity that way.
http://www.rise.org....eo/image005.gif
Mary Anne

Great Link GmG
thanks!

Try to find a radiation reading here for those areas:

Japan Map of Radiation Maximums

If you see the radiation spike, then it means reactor 4, where the pools are supposedly dry, has now gone "Nukular" meaning the meltdown is out of ANY control, and everybody HAS to leave the area completely. And then THAT would be a total and true catastrophy. It would mean far worse than Chernobyl, with all the other reactors nearby and the spent fuel. It'd be the worst "dirty bomb" never created. Lets hope and pray, that doesn't happen. Its really hard to pin down the reports, but watching radiation levels is key here. So yeah, if the numbers are true, watch those levels ! this is why I previously warned, it would be wise for now to leave Japan, for those who have the way and the means.

Its a shame they didn't just stick with their geothermal systems. I mentioned this the other day without doing much research. I could not understand why they were not entirely geothermal. Seems as though they have a lot of that type of generation. I was actually surprised that we generate a lot of electricity that way.
http://www.rise.org....eo/image005.gif
Mary Anne

My house is geothermal. At 5200 square feet-I save a TON, it's quiet as a mouse, even, and nice and clean.

also radiation exposure analysis explained as of 3/14

http://www.godlikepr...sage1394413/pg1

Its a shame they didn't just stick with their geothermal systems. I mentioned this the other day without doing much research. I could not understand why they were not entirely geothermal. Seems as though they have a lot of that type of generation. I was actually surprised that we generate a lot of electricity that way.
http://www.rise.org....eo/image005.gif
Mary Anne

My house is geothermal. At 5200 square feet-I save a TON, it's quiet as a mouse, even, and nice and clean.

Spooky, I WOULD LOVE TO TALK TO YOU. Where do you live? I'm going to try to move up to Maine over the next year and that is the first thing I want to do is put in a geo-thermal system. Did you have it designed or did you do it yourself - I took a class to get certified to design geo-thermal and I am thinking I am looking at around 35-40K for a house around 2,500 to 3,000 sq feet - three - 250 - 300 foot wells. Although there is a lot of house inventory up there but not a lot that can be easily retrofited- I'm trying to find a place with duct work already in place - even though I know I will have to replace it for the geo-thermal system. They are amazing systems. Then I want to install a windmill and generate some of my own electricity to run the compressor.
Mary Anne

Hi Mary Anne: I did some physical data on my computer, but had it designed. It was installed in 1998, and ran roughly 27K. I three zoned the house, with 3 seperate water furnaces. If you already have duct work-you won't have to replace much of it. Thought about the windmill, but the return is WAY too slow. I live south of Cleveland in a small town-Columbia Station Ohio-it's super. Town hall meetings once a month-we self govern. Minimum lot size is 2 acres-so we never get too crowded. No city tax, ect. If I can be of any help when you get to the point of selecting geo-drop me an email-I'd be glad to help out where I can.

Hi Mary Anne:

I did some physical data on my computer, but had it designed. It was installed in 1998, and ran roughly 27K.
I three zoned the house, with 3 seperate water furnaces. If you already have duct work-you won't have to replace much of it. Thought about the windmill, but the return is WAY too slow. I live south of Cleveland in a small town-Columbia Station Ohio-it's super. Town hall meetings once a month-we self govern. Minimum lot size is 2 acres-so we never get too crowded. No city tax, ect. If I can be of any help when you get to the point of selecting geo-drop me an email-I'd be glad to help out where I can.

I was born and raised in Indiana so I know about mid-west living -its great. Are you doing hot water circulation or forced hot air. It sounds like your doing hot water circulation which I looked into but didn't think it would be as efficient as forced hot air. I currently live in Connecticut (aka Corrupticut) and can't wait to get out of here. 3.5 million people in this tiny state is a nightmare. I don't like heat and humidity - so would never move south. I love Maine and vacation there every year but it is a lot colder than Ohio or Indiana but geothermal will work there but there are very few units up there. I understand that the VA facilities around the country have converted and are finding it very efficient and cost beneficial because the systems will last generations once installed - and no pollution.
Thanks for your offer - rest assured you will hear from me.
Mary Anne