MaxedOutMama
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Yet Another Nuke Post
Unfortunately when working on reactor 3 (laying cables) several workers were injured. Article. Two are thought to have burns and all three got exposures higher than 150 milliS, but not above 200 milliS.
Otherwise things seem to be proceeding pretty well. The last NISA update for 3/24 currently available shows relatively high pressures in No. 1, in the reactor vessel, the containment vessel and the suppression vessel. By now they may already have done something about it. It looks like they are pumping more water in there, and some is turning to steam, which raises the pressures. They can vent if they have to, but of course they want to do so with some safety margin, after clearing workers from the area, and when winds will tend to blow it out to sea. (Found article on this.)
They are publishing a lot more information (they have more) now with each release.
The one plant in Tokyo that was showing the levels of iodine over 100 becquerels/liter has now cleared somewhat, so Tokyo has lifted the infant/water warning. Several water treatment plants north have found higher levels and have imposed warnings.
Radiation monitoring of different types is being published here. Although generally radiation readings have been dropping, in some places out of the 20/30 km zone the soil and water is very significantly contaminated. Look here. Once additional emissions from Daiichi are controlled, the iodine concentrations will drop relatively rapidly. The cesium levels will be around for a long while.
Otherwise things seem to be proceeding pretty well. The last NISA update for 3/24 currently available shows relatively high pressures in No. 1, in the reactor vessel, the containment vessel and the suppression vessel. By now they may already have done something about it. It looks like they are pumping more water in there, and some is turning to steam, which raises the pressures. They can vent if they have to, but of course they want to do so with some safety margin, after clearing workers from the area, and when winds will tend to blow it out to sea. (Found article on this.)
They are publishing a lot more information (they have more) now with each release.
The one plant in Tokyo that was showing the levels of iodine over 100 becquerels/liter has now cleared somewhat, so Tokyo has lifted the infant/water warning. Several water treatment plants north have found higher levels and have imposed warnings.
Radiation monitoring of different types is being published here. Although generally radiation readings have been dropping, in some places out of the 20/30 km zone the soil and water is very significantly contaminated. Look here. Once additional emissions from Daiichi are controlled, the iodine concentrations will drop relatively rapidly. The cesium levels will be around for a long while.
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This has all been an object lesson in why it's good to shop at warehouse stores. It's not very expensive to have on hand a week's worth of bottled water, #10 cans of beans, and toilet paper.
That's your cue, Mark.
That's your cue, Mark.
You very definitely have a point there. And in fact, most households in Hurricane Alley do have that, plus batteries, etc.
Don't forget the tinfoil & charcoal for cooking.
Don't forget the tinfoil & charcoal for cooking.
Good point, I hadn't thought of that, specifically. But I've got the commercial-sized roll of foil and a 40lbs bag of charcoal. Just 'cause that's the way we shop. Sam's Club == prepared!
I love your blog, but I can not understand the recent emphasis on the nuclear plants - all seemingly to the downside/negative. This was one of the biggest earthquakes ever, followed by a terrible tsunami, followed by aftershocks. Is it bad, yes, but it is not Chernobyl bad. The technology was old, we will learn from it, but unless we find a way to embrace and use this technology wisely, how can we expect to improve our planets environment?
Howerton - that deserves an answer.
I am neither anti-nuclear power nor always pro-nuclear power. I hope you don't mind if I give a long answer as a post.
I am neither anti-nuclear power nor always pro-nuclear power. I hope you don't mind if I give a long answer as a post.
I've mentioned that on a prep list. It's a good thing to use this accident as a wake up call to store water, food and basic supplies. It's a bad thing to use it to stock up on potassium iodine. The folks in CA would be wiser to be prepared for an earthquake.
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