[CE] Nuclear Radiation in Fukushima

Japan's Fukushima 'worst in history' (Video)



Two weeks ago on 2011 September 11 was not only the 10-year anniversary of the September 11 Terrorist Attack but the 6-month anniversary of the 2011 Tōhoku Earthquake and the following tsunami. My current event post of last week focused on this tsunami - one of the worst events Mother Nature has poured upon us.

Unfortunately, the 15,000 casualties caused by the powerful wall of crashing water isn't the end. Nuclear plants are emitting dangerous radiation into the atmosphere. So what happened exactly? The short answer: the tsunami damaged diesel fuel generators that help cool the nuclear reactors that operate the cooling system. Heat builds up in the cylinder which eventually pressurizes due to the expanding, boiling water. This video can hopefully better explain the basics of this dangerous situation.



As this second video says, one solution is to release the steam through controlled releases; however, background radiation is also released in this process. This small radiation release is a small sacrifice for the amount of radioactive material that would evolve from a complete nuclear meltdown.

Over the past six months, the "controlled" radiation has spread throughout Japan. Nuclear analysts calculate the concentration of radiation that has dispersed to the Japanese capital of Tokyo nears those recorded during the Chernobyl disaster. Scientists disagree whether the levels of radiation are safe enough for people to remain in the city. With the capital city housing more than 13 million citizens and millions more in the surrounding areas, it is impractical to evacuate them all.

One thing on which scientists can agree is that high levels of radiation are particularly more harmful for the elderly, children, and pregnant women. Of course, it takes no scientist to understand that concentrated radiation contact for pregnant women or breastfeeding mothers leads to birth defects, genetic mutation, and unhealthy development.

Millions of citizens surrounding the nuclear plants are asked to evacuate or relocate. Sadly, many do not have the financial means to do so. The best they can do is to avoid going outdoors and avoid eating local, radiation infested foods.