Radiation Levels Still Rising In Fukushima

Jun 04 2011           Jump To Discussion

TOKYO – It’s been almost 3 months since Japan was struck by a 9.0 earthquake followed by a Tsunami that left most of the country’s Southern region in ruins.

Yet radiation levels in the severely damaged Fukushima plant continue to rise, despite relentless efforts by engineers to prevent a nuclear meltdown.

The world watched in horror as thousands of Japanese became homeless within a matter of minutes, thousands more lost their lives instantly, entire neighborhoods disappeared in front of viewers eyes and Japan’s landscape and nation was suddenly forever changed.

Horror turned to nail-biting anguish when the Japanese government informed the world about the Fukushima nuclear plant being severely damaged and deadly radiation began to seep into the air, the water and the ground.

At the United States’ West Coast millions trembled when being told that within days a radioactive cloud would reach the Californian shores; worried about how their lives would be impacted and altered by Japan’s natural disaster.

Scientists assured everyone there was no treat to anyone, including the environment for becoming infected by the contaminated cloud.  They said that radioactive levels would be so minute by the time  the cloud reached the shoreline, the radiation would be barely detectable and be completely harmless.

Three months after this horrendous news and with nerves still somewhat frail, Japan announced that radiation in the Fukushima plant is rising once again.

Tepco, the operator of the nuclear plant, said on Saturday [Japan's time] that the radiation levels in the badly damaged reactor #1 have risen to a measurable increase of 4,000 milli-sievert radiation per hour; the highest amount of radiation measured to date.

A robot measured that output in the south-east corner of what’s left of the building.

Radioactive steam can been seen rising from a crack in the floor; a pipe extends the length of the floor.  According to Tepco the pipe itself is not damaged.

Tepco’s engineers believe that the steam is coming from a pressure pot where highly radioactive cooling water has been accumulating.

The newest measured levels of radiation in the air means that workers are being exposed to the highest acceptable radiation level within four minutes after being in the contaminated area.

At present the highest annual level of ‘safe’ radiation exposure for humans is 250 milli-sievert.

Tepco has said it has no plans to move workers into that area of the Fukushima plant, which will not affect their ability to continue to monitor the situation and take appropriate action when needed.

 

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