nuclear-news

Conflicting information on state of spent nuclear fuel rods at Fukushima

“We believe that secondary containment has been destroyed and there is no water in the spent fuel pool, and we believe that radiation levels are extremely high, which could possibly impact the ability to take corrective measures.”

Foreigners Advised to Leave Tokyo; US Citizens OK’ed to Evacuate, by: Nancy Roberts 18 March 11, Conflicting Information on Exposed Fuel Rods US Nuclear Regulatory Commission Chairman Greg Jacszko testified before Congress on Wednesday that he believes there is no water in the spent fuel pool in one of the Fukushima reactor buildings, leaving the fuel rods exposed and in danger of overheating:

“We believe that secondary containment has been destroyed and there is no water in the spent fuel pool, and we believe that radiation levels are extremely high, which could possibly impact the ability to take corrective measures.” Japanese authorities have denied the claim.Helicopters have dropped water on the spent fuel storage pools, but it seems that more and continual drops are needed to take effect. There are attempts underway to get electricity flowing back to the pumps. The water is vaporizing due to a failure of the cooling system…..
Talk of Apocalypse”

On Wednesday European Union energy chief Gunther Oettinger was not pulling any punches, stating, “We are somewhere between a disaster and a major disaster. … There is talk of an apocalypse and I think the word is particularly well chosen.”

Foreigners Advised to Leave Tokyo; US Citizens OK’ed to Evacuate

March 24, 2011 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | - Fukushima 2011