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.

Fear of radiation mount after workers received burns -Reuters

China said that 2 travelers from Japan showed high levels of radiation.

IT IS NOW LIKELY THAT THE Unit 3 REACTOR IS DAMAGED:

"The contaminated water had 10,000 times the amount of radiation as would be found in water circulating from a normally operating reactor," said Japanese nuclear agency official Hidehiko Nishiyama.

"It is possible that there is damage to the reactor."

- Japanese living on the outer ring of the 30 km zone were told that it might be a good idea for them to go because supplies are low.

- Out of 6 reactors 2 are safe the 4 others emit smoke and steam intermittently. 

- "South Korea, Taiwan, Singapore, Australia, the United States and Hong Kong are restricting food and milk imports from the zone. Other nations are screeningJapanese food, and German shipping lines are simply avoiding the country.."

For the whole article go to Reuters.

Fukushima Nuclear Accident Update Log -IAEA

Fukushima Nuclear Accident Update Log

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