patrick.net

XKCD is just parroting the line about radiation is radiation.

For some reason most engineering types really want to defend the nuke industry to the death.

I think it's the romantic attraction to tapping the colossal forces of nature.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0PfBYsII_Jw#t=34s

Troy says

For some reason most engineering types really want to defend the nuke industry to the death.

It's also easier to measure and track the immediate effects of acute doses. How could you accurately measure the increased cancer cases (in humans) due to the open-atmosphere nuke tests last century? An appropriate control group would be impossible to assemble.

I think it's more because we can GAUGE the effects of say direct exposure to radiation, and to atmospheric carried particles. How can I gauge that you'll ingest a lot of foodstuffs carrying radionuclides and what that will do to you? I can't really, far too many variables.

Vicente says

I think it’s more because we can GAUGE the effects of say direct exposure to radiation, and to atmospheric carried particles. How can I gauge that you’ll ingest a lot of foodstuffs carrying radionuclides and what that will do to you? I can’t really, far too many variables.
“Eagles are dandified vultures” - Teddy Roosevelt

Exactly my point. But real dangers of ingesting radioactive particles persist, whether they are difficult to predict or measure.

Kinda sorta related. Just read that Stuxnet virus was found on computers in Japan. Hmmm sounds sketchy but you never know.

http://www.gilad.co.uk/writings/whatreallyhappened-stuxnet-found-in-japan-in-october-is-fuku.html

Troy says

bob2356 says

All you two can whine about is the one in a qaudrillion chance you may ingest a stray isotope from japan (as opposed to the billions of stray isotopes that float around the world already and you ingest all the time) that will have zero chance of increasing your risk of cancer.

You’ll note that I haven’t said a goddamn thing about dosing of the West Coast.

You are correct, my apologies. I thought you 5000 mile comment meant you were jumping on td's "oh woes me california is the center of the universe" bandwagon.

bob2356 says

I thought you 5000 mile comment meant you were jumping on td’s “oh woes me california is the center of the universe” bandwagon

I don't think there's any cause for concern WRT a brief episode of emission.

However, in terms of radioactive cesium, however, it is not clear which is worse, a nuclear test that creates cesium from a small amount of fissionable material, or a Chernobyl-like plume that carries literally tons of fission byproducts into the air.

Ie. if Fukushima 1 may have already contaminated a 5-10km area much more than the Hiroshima bomb did, just looking at the cesium angle, and given enough time and enough wind, this contamination can extend quite a long ways.

The Chernobyl plant was working from rather fresh uranium stocks, only in service for 3 months.

The #3 plant has 900kg of plutonium in its fuel pool, along with 90 tons of spent fuel rods.

TEPCO just announced their seawater venting results in 25X above regulatory limits for cesium, 120X for Iodine, which is not surprising given they are venting water directly from 3 compromised fuel cores.

bob2356 says

I thought you 5000 mile comment meant you were jumping on td’s “oh woes me california is the center of the universe” bandwagon.

Is that REALLY why you think I started this thread? What a narrow-minded, conceited fucking comment. If you haven't gathered by now that I am interested in local AND global consequences of what's going on, discussing this topic, and sharing useful information, then tough shit.

I'd ask again if you bothered to actually read the content above, but I already know the answer.

Troy says

TEPCO just announced their seawater venting results in 25X above regulatory limits for cesium, 120X for Iodine, which is not surprising given they are venting water directly from 3 compromised fuel cores.

I wonder how this will affect testing of Russian fish stocks... as of last week they were still in denial of any danger:

Russia tests Pacific fish for radiation
http://www.dawn.com/2011/03/20/russia-tests-pacific-fish-for-radiation.html

terriDeaner says

I am concerned for all of the people affected by the earthquake/tsunami/nuclear crisis. The effects on the Japanese people have been horrific and very sad. But you need to understand that this crisis will have global effects, it is that simple. To what degree these effects are felt here are of great interest to me. If you don’t care, then simply continue to ignore the information you don’t like.

Global???? All you talk about is what is happening in Japan and how it threatens California. I care a great deal about the horrific events in Japan. I care nothing about a non existent threat to the US. I do care a great deal about real threats to the US, things like hundreds of obsolete coal plants spewing untold tons of toxins and know carcinogenics into the atmosphere killing hundreds of people in the US every year. Of course that's downwind of CA so I can see how it wouldn't concern you. I'm concerned about things like poorly designed (to give them the benefit of the doubt, they were designed a long time ago with the known technologies of the day) first generation nuclear plants, just like the ones burning in Japan, that are still operating in the US but should have been shut down 20 years ago. Things like untold huge amounts of nuclear, chemical, and biological waste and pollution that exists on closed and current military bases. Things like undiscovered superfund type sites of illegally dumped industrial who knows what.

Where is your outrage about these types real threats? Why are you so disturbed by the possibility of a non existent threat to CA? You are obviously rabidly anti nuclear and see this as a vindication your views, although I haven't seen where you are volunteering to do without electricity. I'm not pro nuclear or anti nuclear. All forms of energy generation have cost, benefit, danger trade offs. Since I'm willing to use the energy, then I have to accept the dangers involved. All we can do is hope that our elected representatives are diligent in making sure that the safety of the public is a high consideration. It appears that safety considerations were not taken nearly seriously enough for this particular reactor in Japan. Hopefully this disaster will implement a world wide evaluation of reactor designs and force changes on the ones that are in need of improvement. Or shut them down. The early cowboy days of nuclear plant design are long gone, but many of the early plants are still around.

If you really want to have your hair stand on end, read a book call "We Almost Lost Detroit". We really did almost lose Detroit as well as a substantial part of the rust belt. Believe or not in the 1960's there was actually a full scale operating breeder reactor (cooled by liquid sodium much, much more dangerous than a simple boiling water reactor, sodium explodes violently when exposed to water or air) 50 miles upwind of Detroit that had a partial meltdown and almost went totally out of control in a way that would make the Japan reactor fire look like a day in the park. Now that was stupid beyond belief even for the early days of nuclear power.

terriDeaner says

bob2356 says

I thought you 5000 mile comment meant you were jumping on td’s “oh woes me california is the center of the universe” bandwagon.

Is that REALLY why you think I started this thread? What a narrow-minded, conceited fucking comment. If you haven’t gathered by now that I am interested in local AND global consequences of what’s going on, discussing this topic, and sharing useful information, then tough shit.
I’d ask again if you bothered to actually read the content above, but I already know the answer.

I've read your comments. Someone else accurately described them as histrionics. I agree.

bob2356 says

Global???? All you talk about is what is happening in Japan and how it threatens California.

Not true. If it offends you so much that I have stated a thesis, and remain focused on evaluating it, go read something else. BUT just because I have taken this RATIONAL approach does not mean that I haven't considered AND ALSO COMMENTED on important issues related to the thesis (sigh... again..see comments above). Do you not understand that evaluating the question (the one posted at the top of this thread, not your straw man) involves gathering and contextualizing INTERNATIONAL news and information???

bob2356 says

I do care a great deal about real threats to the US, things like hundreds of obsolete coal plants spewing untold tons of toxins and know carcinogenics into the atmosphere killing hundreds of people in the US every year. Of course that’s downwind of CA so I can see how it wouldn’t concern you.

Why are you so disturbed by the possibility of a non existent threat to CA? You are obviously rabidly anti nuclear and see this as a vindication your views,

So you believe you can read my mind? I am not anti-nuclear, and nowhere above have I made that claim. In fact, similar to you I am neither pro- or anti-nuke. My goal is to try and to accumulate as much useful information as I can so that I can make rational, informed decisions. Why do you find that so threatening??? Because I refuse to toe your party line???

And you could have ASKED me at any time instead of trying to stereotype me, and stuff straw men, for the sake of your argument.

bob2356 says

All we can do is hope that our elected representatives are diligent in making sure that the safety of the public is a high consideration.

Keep hoping. Published today:

Nuclear Official Sees No Urgent Changes Needed for American Plants
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/22/world/asia/22atomic.html?hp

bob2356 says

I’ve read your comments. Someone else [Nomograph] accurately described them as histrionics. I agree.

Grow up.

I wrote this YESTERDAY:

terriDeaner says

It really does look like some stability has been achieved, and that the worst is over. However, the downside risk of having so much spent fuel around remains high.

And what is part of the remaining risk? Additional radioactive runoff from the plant. What was recently detected in seawater near the plant? SUBSTANTIAL radioactive contamination.

Obligatory Simpson's reference:

terriDeaner says

Additional radioactive runoff from the plant. What was recently detected in seawater near the plant? SUBSTANTIAL radioactive contamination.

I assume this is from the venting of the seawater cooling of the core.

There's a lot of nasty stuff in the core and this is what got TMI into trouble with regulators, they dumped IIRC 40,000 gallons of core coolant into the river.

This will be many many times worse before this is over.

In other news, they've released thermo imagery showing Unit 4 is not running hot, so if they can get water into the pool it should be OK now.

Unit 3 looks to be the bad boy now, running with higher pressure that may need to be vented again (just like TMI).

Troy says

I assume this is from the venting of the seawater cooling of the core.

Definitely possible - some of the vented material would stay airborne and the rest would precipitate in droplets as the steam condensed.

Is any of the wash water being collected after it percolates through the reactor ruins? It seems like this would be a likely source for large quantities of radioactive contamination.

I saw that thermal imagery, but had a hard time interpreting it without a better point of reference.

I'm starting to think what they are doing now, is just a holding action until they can move the equipment in they need to bury it. The lack of action report details may be misleading me into thinking there isn't much substantive going on. For example I see them bringing in power and able to deliver to some reactors. But not much about having sent someone in to assess the status of the critical cooling systems. Has anyone eyeballed the pipes & pumps for if they are intact? If so I'm not finding it.

@terriDeaner

I didn't think you had was a selfish reason for starting this, and I live in Japan.
It has rained for 1 1/2 days now so most of the radioactive elements are coming down, especially in the Pacific Ocean near Japan and in Fukushima Prefecture. Fortunately, winds have been away from Tokyo except last Tuesday.

The cesium-137 and plutonium are more of a concern than the iodine-131 since their half lives are much longer.
Still calm but alert...

Keep the information and links coming.

Yikes, looks like quite a lot if ending up in the sea:

[9:30 p.m. Monday ET, 10:30 a.m. Tuesday in Tokyo] High levels of radioactive substances have been found in seawater near the damaged Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, its operator, Tokyo Electric Power Co. said Tuesday.

Levels of iodine-131 in the seawater were 126.7 times higher than government-set standards, the electric company said on its website. Its monitors detected caesium-134, which has a half-life of about two years, about 24.8 times higher than the government standards. Cesium-137 was found to be 16.5 times higher than the standard.

The electric company detected these levels in seawater 100 meters (328 feet) south of the nuclear power plant Monday afternoon. Radioactive particles disperse in the ocean, and the farther away from the shore a sample is taken, the less concentrated the contamination should be. Because of the huge amount of dilution that happens in the ocean, there's not much chance of deep-water fish being tainted, said Murray McBride, a professor at Cornell University, who studies crop and soil sciences.

http://news.blogs.cnn.com/2011/03/21/japan-quake-live-blog-u-s-military-families-in-japan-to-get-iodide-pills-monday/

I'd look for this to be an ongoing problem for the coming weeks/months. And IF entombment is the ultimate solution, it could go on for much longer.

BTW, odd choice for an 'expert'... I have a great deal of respect for Ag and soil scientists, but I would have thought an oceanographer or water chemistry specialist or fisheries biologist would have been higher on the list of candidates.

Because of the huge amount of dilution that happens in the ocean, there’s not much chance of deep-water fish being tainted, said Murray McBride, a professor at Cornell University, who studies crop and soil sciences.

American in Japan says

@terriDeaner
I didn’t think you had was a selfish reason for starting this, and I live in Japan.

It has rained for 1 1/2 days now so most of the radioactive elements are coming down, especially in the Pacific Ocean near Japan and in Fukushima Prefecture. Fortunately, winds have been away from Tokyo except last Tuesday.
The cesium-137 and plutonium are more of a concern than the iodine-131 since their half lives are much longer.

Still calm but alert…
Keep the information and links coming.

Hey, thanks AiJ. Glad you found some of this information useful.

Hopefully the rain scrubs out the bulk of the particulates. Don't discount the danger of I-131 just because it has a very short half-life, though. Remember that for the short-term the trade-off it is that it has a relatively energetic and intense decay period. Also keep in mind that it is concentrated by the body into a very small area (the thyroid gland). Effectively, this means you could get a very strong acute dose in a small area of your body over a very short time period after consuming a relatively small amount of it. How small of an amount is safe? I'm not sure...

From wikipedia:

Iodine in food is absorbed by the body and preferentially concentrated in the thyroid where it is needed for the functioning of that gland. When I-131 is present in high levels in the environment from radioactive fallout, it can be absorbed through contaminated food, and will also accumulate in the thyroid.

As it decays [I-131], it may cause damage to the thyroid. The primary risk from exposure to high levels of I-131 is the chance occurrence of radiogenic thyroid cancer in later life. Other risks include the possibility of non-cancerous growths and thyroiditis.

Stay safe!

And stay away from here:

URGENT: Radiation 1,600 times normal level 20 km from Fukushima plant: IAEA
http://english.kyodonews.jp/news/2011/03/80057.html

Thanks for the links. Just because the media has moved on to other stories, doesn't mean there isn't news to report. Keep 'em coming.

terriDeaner says

#3 and #4 both remain nasty question marks. And, as Troy pointed out earlier, the corroded pumps washed with seawater may or may not work when power is restored. I sincerely hope they will, but I have some doubts

The pumps will work just fine. They weren't washed in seawater all that long. It's the pump motor which will ideally need to be rinsed and dried out. Since this isn't an ideal situation they will most likely just try turning on one pump at one of the reactors and see if it works type of thing. My personal experience suggests that if the motor turns when first turned on and doesn't stall out or anything, the heat generated by the motor itself will dry it out much quicker than the usual way of drying out an electric motor, which usually consists of putting a space heater next to it and then a tarp over the whole thing and letting it sit for a couple of days (longer times needed for bigger motors to dry out). In fact at one plant I used to wkr out that's how we sometimes stored bigger electric motors (ones way bigger than these coolant pump motors). It's not like there is only one motor in these cooling systems, I'm guessing that there are at least 3, so trying out the just turning one on if it looks OK is a reasonable method to see if it works in this situation. of course, under normal circumstances where you would have the luxury of time, you would dry out the motor and then do some testing on it (without powering it up) before you would actually try to use it.

Tsunami picture that I just found:

I saw that scene in an aerial photo. Pretty fucked up.

The rain has stopped. As bad as is might be, Fukushima has it much worse. I've estimated he wind only has blown (from Fukushima) toward Tokyo /Kanagawa only 15% of the time. It has blown toward the Pacific Ocean 2/3 of the time and the rest toward Miyagi/Iwate/Akita/Yamagata, etc.

Good story about the difference in media coverage on the earthquake/tsunami/nuclear plant:

http://www.japantoday.com/category/have-your-say/view/what-would-you-say-are-the-same-of-the-main-differences-in-the-way-the-japanese-and-foreign-media-are-covering-the-aftermath-of-the-march-11-earthquake-and-tsunami-and-the-ongoing-nuclear-crisis#show_all_comments

Thanks for the update AiJ. Most of the major western news sources have moved on to covering the Libyan invasion. Please be selective in what you eat:

From bloomberg:

Five kinds of radioactive materials released by damaged fuel rods were detected in the sea, including iodine-131, cesium-134 and cobalt, according to Tepco. Radiation in food is measured in Becquerel, a gauge of the strength of radioactivity in those materials. The prescribed safe limit for I-131 in vegetables is set at 2,000 Becquerel (Bq) per kilogram and 500 Bq/kg for radioactive cesium.

“A person would really have to continue to eat that food grown locally that’s contaminated,” he said.

Do you have a substantial choice in what foods are available to you?

American in Japan says

Good story about the difference in media coverage on the earthquake/tsunami/nuclear plant:

Thanks for the link. Quite a range of opinions there.

Ironically food from China may be healthier than from here for the time being!

And this info I found out about various elements:

in the reactor, the zirconium alloy fuel cladding starts to fail at 1200 C (cesium-137 and iodine-131 are in the fuel cladding-gap region of the fuel rods, so when the cladding fails these are also released, and hydrogen builds up when the cladding reacts with hot steam)
the uranium fuel itself starts to melt at 3204 C.