Fukishima-Radiation readings and update from the IAEA

There are 4 reactors having major issues, and today it is unit 1 and 4 which are spewing white smoke. The spewed radioactive particles of Cs-137,Cs-134 and I-131(and a soup of others possibly including Strontium-90) have been and are carried by winds and deposited in at least 17 of the 48 Japan's prefectures; from March 18-25 in seven of the 17 prefectures showed I-131 at about 100 becquerel/meter squared and Cs-137 was about 500 becquerel/square meter. The highest value was found in Yamagata which had 7500 becquerel per square meter of I-131 and 1200 becquerel/square meter of Cs-137.  In Shinjyuku district of Tokyo, the daily deposition of I-131 on March 27 was 200 becquerel per square meter and 12 becquerel per square meter of Cs-137.

Samples have been taken just beyond the evacuation zone 30 km to 41 km at this location 0.9 to 17 microsievert per hour at the same location beta gamma contamination ranged from.003 to 3.1 Megabecquerel from 3,000 to 3,000,000 becquerel  per square meter.

The worldwide average background dose for a human being is about 2.4 millisievert (mSv) per year. Wikipedia


What is currently happening on site; one fresh water is being injected in some of the reactors pools and vessels; workers are trying to remove the highly contaminated water, resulting from the spraying for 12 days of sea water on the reactors. Where is that water going to go? The Ocean?

The spraying with fresh water should dilute the huge salt deposits which are now a major problem due to interfering with the cooling and creating problems of corrosion.

The officials the nuclear community understand that this accident and its complete termination will take several weeks.

I think that this accident must be raised to above the 5 it was assigned, in fact the scale top number of 7 is really where it is at, and the evacuation zone should be expanded to at least 50 miles.

It has been two weeks and Fukushima is still burning and several reactors are still in trouble

smoke and vapor are spat out regularly and workers have had to be evacuated every day several times per day since the accident. At least 27 workers have been injured.

IAEA last update

Here are excerpts:

"The concern about the spent fuel pools at Fukushima Daiichi is that the capability to cool the pools has been compromised. Elevated radiation measurements at the site may be partially of the result of uncovered or overheated spent fuel."

"White smoke was reported seen emanating from Unit 2 on 21 March at 9:22 UTC. Grayish smoke was reported seen emanating from unit 3 at 6:55 on 21 March, and this was reported to have "died down" two hours later. All workers at Units 1 through 4 evacuated after the smoke at Unit 3 was seen. The IAEA is seeking further information at this time on the status of workers at the site."
For the full press release see: IAEA

Prussian blue a treatment for Cs-137 poisoning 2 -Wikipedia

Whoah is all I can say check it out in the NY Times

Caesium-137 another fission product

Here is some info on Caesium-137(Cs-137):

- Radioactive isotope;
- Fission product
- 30.17 years = half life
- decays to beta emissions and barium-137 (about 95% of the nuclear decay leads to this isomer) barium has a half life of 2.55 minutes and is responsible for all of the emissions of gamma rays. Barium is used in food irradiation
- Cs-137 has an activity of 3.215 terabecquerel
- Cs-137 is the main source of radiation in the zone of alienation around Chernobyl
- Together with iodine-131 and Strontium-90, CS-137 was among the isotopes with greatest health impact distributed by the reactor explosion.
- Not found in nature much and thus is a result of weapons testing and nuclear explosions and nuclear fission
- about 1 micro curie/kilogram is lethal within a month
- ingestion of CS-137 can be treated with Prussian blue which bnds to it chemicallu and then speeds its expulsion; other it spread throughout the body
...

For more see Wikipedia

About iodine 131

Some facts:

- 1/2 life of 8 days
- present in nuclear fission products and had health effects from Chernobyl
- it comprises about 3% of the total products of fission
- beta decay = notable for causing genetic mutation and death to cells it penetrates
- thought to be less dangerous in large quantities because it will kill the thyroid instead of having cancer develop later
- can been seen with gamma cameras
- decays to Beta emissions plus xenon 131
- exposure from food, water... will build up in the thyroid gland as it decays the beta emissions can damage the thyroid more dangerous in young people with adult effect has not shown to be significant
- the risk can be mitigated by taking iodine127 supplements and potassium iodide (KI) which reduces the uptake of the radioactive isotope Iodine 127 are not radioactive
- post treatment isolation: if a person is contaminated the person should not have sex for a month and women should not get pregnant for 6 months
- iodine 131 waste from decay can be eliminated through urine, sweat and semen.
- it is advisable to change and clean bedding, towels and clothing
- expose person can set up alarm at airports

For the full article see Wikipedia