Japan: Fukushima nuclear plant registers highest level of indoor radiation

[News_Editor]

Japan: Fukushima nuclear plant registers highest level of indoor radiation

2011-08-03 03:10:05 GMT+7 (ICT)

TOKYO, JAPAN (BNO NEWS) -- The highest level of indoor radiation was registered at the crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant, officials said Tuesday.

According to to the Tokyo Electric Power Plant Co. (Tepco), which operates the Fukushima Daiichi plant, radiation dosages of 5 sieverts per hour were detected indoors on the second floor of the plant's No. 1 reactor, Kyodo news agency reported.

The radiation was registered in an air-conditioning machine room, near a pipe. Despite it being the highest radiation level yet detected indoors, Tepco said the level could even be higher as radiation exceeded the equipment's max level of measurement.

In addition, Tepco said that radiation doses as high as 10 sieverts per hour were detected outside the buildings for the No. 1 and No. 2 reactors. The highest dose previously detected was 4 sieverts per hour at the floor of the No. 1 reactor building. Experts have warned that anyone exposed to such amounts of radiation in a short period of time would probably die.

However, on March 12, the pressure level in the reactor's containment vessel was lowered, and according to Tepco, radioactive substances have been staying in the pipe ever since.

Japan has been recently facing further issues in their nuclear crisis as radioactive cesium was detected in the meat from contaminated cows of a farm located in the Fukushima Prefecture. The meat was shipped to at least 11 prefectures, including Tokyo, Shizuoka, Osaka, Kanagawa and Ehime prefectures, as well as Hokkaido, Aichi, Tokushima and Kochi.

Last month, the government of Japan announced that nationwide stress tests would be conducted on all of its nuclear reactors to assess the country's nuclear safety, as many of Japan's operation of reactors are currently suspended until regular checkups are completed.

Japan's nuclear crisis began since the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant was severely damaged on March 11 when a 9.0-magnitude earthquake and a subsequent tsunami devastated the country. The disaster disabled the cooling systems of the plant, and radioactive elements leaked into the sea and were later found in water, air and food products in some parts of Japan. Subsequent power shortages throughout the country have further complicated recovery efforts.

At least 23,482 people were killed, while 8,069 people remain missing. There are still more than 88,000 people who are staying in shelters in 21 prefectures around Japan.

According to the Japan Research Institute, the country's reconstruction efforts will cost between 14 trillion yen ($174.58 billion) and 18 trillion yen ($224.46 billion) in the upcoming 10 years, including 9.1 trillion yen ($113.47 billion) this year alone. Japan has already allocated a 4 trillion yen ($48.89 billion) emergency budget to finance the early phase of reconstruction efforts following the disaster.

On June 23, the government also announced a budget of 2 trillion yen ($24.8 billion) to be distributed to cover the massive compensation claims since the beginning of the disaster being faced by Tepco, which operates the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant

-- © BNO News All rights reserved 2011-08-03

[bkkjames]

Suffice to say the part about the levels could be higher than 5 because the volume on their fukusaki#3 rad detector only goes that high-says it all really.

[maidu]

Are they talking about the highest level at Fukushima since the mega problems? The title of the article and its text states; 'the highest levels ever......" .....does that mean anywhere, anytime on Earth? I doubt it, but still, reporting needs to be a tad bit higher level. English is a pretty good descriptive language when used correctly.

Meanwhile, EGAT still won't dismiss their plan to build several nuclear reactors here in Thailand. Until they make that announcement, the plans are still in place - regardless of what the revolving doorloads of politicians say.

[midas]

Experts: Melt-through scenario means even higher radiation readings to come — Likely many more reports of deadly radiation in future

http://enenews.com/experts-melt-means-higher-radiation-readings-many-reports-deadly-radiation-future

[bkkjames]

Experts: Melt-through scenario means even higher radiation readings to come — Likely many more reports of deadly radiation in future

http://enenews.com/e...adiation-future

Good read Midas: sadly the media seems more concerned these days with the US Debt Debate.

[cloudhopper]

I see a good opportunity here for indoor/outdoor radiation meters.

[maidu]

Experts in nuclear conveniently avoid taking in to account full costs of disasters like Chernobyl and Fukushima - when assessing costs for nuclear. Like little kids at a b'day party seeing the big pretty cake covered in candy, EGAT gleefully accepted the 2010 assessment report (on Nukes for Thailand) which stated, "Nuclear energy is a clean, safe, and low cost electricity generating option for Thailand." No matter that the report was written by a nuclear power engineering company from NJ, USA to the tune of Bt.165 million. Perfect example of a report requiring a foregone conclusion its paymasters.

Latest news on BBC this morning: UN environmental report claims Nigerian delta is world's most polluted region due to fifty years of broken oil pipes. Either way, fossil fuels and nuclear fission have immense added costs. When will leaders wake up to realize solar is the wave of the future, and the future starts now?!