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Fukushima “worst nuclear disaster in history”? – with release of radioactive Cesium 137

The highest cesium-137 levels in some villages near Chernobyl were 5 million Bq/m2. If true, Fukushima has already released higher levels of Cesium 137 than Chernobyl, making it the worst source of nuclear radiation release in history…..If preliminary information is correct, Fukushima already is the worst nuclear disaster in history.

Japan’s Government Needs to Move Quickly, THE HUFFINGTON POST, Daniel Wagner, 4 April 11, Daniel Wagner is managing director of Country Risk Solutions, a political risk consulting firm based in Connecticut, and senior advisor to the PRS Group. Why the Japanese Government Needs to Move Quickly The focus of much of the press since the quake and tsunami has been on levels of radioactive iodine that has been released into the environment, but cesium-137 is a much greater health concern and has been linked to cancer deaths nine times greater than radioactive iodine, with a half life of 30 years. Last week, for the first time, the Japanese science ministry began to release measurements of cesium-137 in soil around the plant. Continue reading →

April 4, 2011 Posted by | - Fukushima 2011, environment, Japan | 1 Comment

Japanese village Iitate has dangerous radiation levels

IAEA worried about radiation in Japan village(, Google News, AFP) – 31 March 11, VIENNA — Radiation levels recorded at a village outside the evacuation zone around the quake-striken Fukushima nuclear plant are above safe levels, the UN atomic watchdog said Wednesday.

The International Atomic Energy Agency said safe limits had been exceeded at Iitate village, 40 kilometres (25 miles) northwest of Fukushima, well outside the government-imposed 20 kilometre exclusion zone and the 30-kilometre “stay indoors” zone.”The first assessment indicates that one of the IAEA operational criteria for evacuation is exceeded in Iitate village,” the IAEA’s head of nuclear safety and security, Denis Flory, told reporters here……Iitate lies 40 kilometres (25 miles) northwest of the Fukushima nuclear power plant,……AFP: IAEA worried about radiation in Japan village

 

March 31, 2011 Posted by | - Fukushima 2011, environment, Japan | Leave a comment

Japanese radiation in Scotland, strengthens antinuclear feeling

Japanese radiation found at three more Scottish locations – Scotsman.com News 31 March 2011By CLAIRE SMITH RADIOACTIVE iodine believed to be from the Fukishima nuclear plant has been found at three more locations in Scotland, according to the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency.Sepa said yesterday that samples believed to be from Fukushima had been detected at Dounreay in Caithness and at Lerwick in Shetland. Radioactive iodine has also been detected in East Kilbride.The news follows reports on Monday that radioactive iodine from the stricken Japanese power station had been detected in Glasgow……..Rob Gibson, SNP candidate Caithness, Sutherland and Ross said the latest detections were a reminder of the hazards of nuclear power.

He said: “It is important to stress that there is no threat to public safety. However, even at such a distance it does remind us of the hazards of nuclear power, and the terrible events in Japan.”

Mr Gibson said the Japanese nuclear crisis had strengthened the SNP’s resolve to realise Scotland’s potential for renewable energy: “No country with Scotland’s energy mix would contemplate a new nuclear power programme.”
Japanese radiation found at three more Scottish locations – Scotsman.com News

March 31, 2011 Posted by | environment, UK | Leave a comment

More radiation to come in rainwater, says USA’s EPA

EPA: Expect More Radiation in Rainwater, – Forbes, Mar. 28 2011 – tBy JEFF MCMAHON  nIodine-131 found in rain. The Environmental Protection Agency yesterday reported finding elevated levels of iodine-131, a product of nuclear fission, in rainwater in Pennsylvania and Massachusetts. The levels exceed the maximum contaminant level (MCL) permitted in drinking water, but EPA continues to assure the public there is no need for alarm:…….EPA said it is receiving “verbal reports” of higher levels of radiation in rainwater samples from other states as well, and that Americans should continue to expect short-term contamination of rainwater as radioactive isotopes spread through the atmosphere from Japan…..EPA: Expect More Radiation in Rainwater – Jeff McMahon – The Ingenuity of the Commons – Forbes

March 29, 2011 Posted by | environment, USA | Leave a comment

Winds could carry Fukushima nuclear radiation across Japan’s mainland

Global rescue teams depart as winds threaten to turn nuclear cloud inland * Brendan Nicholson  The Australian * March 22, 2011 AUSTRALIAN authorities have warned that the wind direction in the region surrounding the stricken Japanese nuclear reactors was set to change last night and could carry radioactive contamination over the mainland.

The Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency said the prevailing wind had been carrying radiation out to sea since the Fukushima Daiichi power stations were damaged. But during the next 36 hours, a wind change is likely to produce a complex pattern of wind directions over mainland Japan.”Any radioactivity that may occur from deterioration in the current status of any of the Fukushima Daiichi reactor units is predicted to pass across mainland Japan during this time.”

ARPANSA said the wind should swing back out over the ocean after that time.ARPANSA has recommended that Australians within 80km of the power plant move out of the area….Global rescue teams depart as winds threaten to turn nuclear cloud inland | The Australian

March 24, 2011 Posted by | - Fukushima 2011, environment | Leave a comment

Wide area around Fukushima nuclear plant will be radioactively contaminated for decades

“Given the weather, it is likely that contaminations have occurred beyond that, up to 100 kilometres or so.”…..

Contamination at Fukushima nuclear plant for decades, says France’s Nuclear Safety Authority | Herald Sun, From: NewsCore * March 22, 2011 LOCAL contamination from Japan’s quake-damaged Fukushima nuclear power plant would be a problem that would last “for decades and decades”, France’s Nuclear Safety Authority (ASN) said. Continue reading →

March 22, 2011 Posted by | - Fukushima 2011, environment, Japan | Leave a comment

Radiation in air, seawater and food show seriousness of Japan’s nuclear disaster

the measurements from food and water were important because they helped confirm that “there has been a very serious release of radioactivity” at Fukushima…..

UPDATE 4-Japan nuclear progress tempered by seawater concern,  By Scott DiSavino and Kate Kelland. NEW YORK/LONDON, March 21 (Reuters) – The reconnection of power at the earthquake-damaged reactors in Japan is a big step in managing the nuclear crisis, experts said on Monday, but concerns about radiation in the air, seawater and food showed the dangers are far from over. Continue reading →

March 22, 2011 Posted by | environment, Japan | Leave a comment

Raised levels of radioactivity in seawater, in some foods – Japan

Radioactive food fears grow in Japan, By Hayden Cooper and wires  ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation), 22 March 11, Japan is continuing to deal with a nuclear emergency as fears of food contamination grow and high levels of radioactive substances are found in seawater near the crippled Fukushima plant.The news comes amid another setback in efforts to cool the earthquake-crippled nuclear plant, with officials spotting grey smoke coming from the roof of the No. 3 reactor……. Continue reading →

March 22, 2011 Posted by | - Fukushima 2011, environment, Japan | Leave a comment

Asia Pacific countries monitor radiation from Fukushima nuclear plant

    As winds took the contaminated clouds from the battered Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant out into the Pacific Ocean towards Hawaii and the US west coast, Japan’s nearest Asian neighbours stepped up their monitoring of potential nuclear fallout…..Taiwan-based EVA Airways said it would cancel 56 flights between Japan and Taiwan because of radiation concerns.

    Radiation fears sweep the region | The Australian, James Hookway and Michael Sainsbury March 17, 2011, FEARS of a cross-border nuclear disaster swept across the Asia Pacific region yesterday as Japan’s nuclear crisis deepened, with experts and officials trying to calm fraying nerves in countries as far away as The Philippines and Canada. Continue reading →

    March 22, 2011 Posted by | ASIA, environment | Leave a comment

    Japan has misled public on the radiation exposure from Fukushima

    These radioactive clouds are now mixing with higher altitude air currents and being dispersed more widely across northern Asia and the north Pacific……The quality of information from the Japanese has descended into farce, with simultaneous claims that  radiation levels are harmful  in the Chernobyl-sized exclusion zone but did not constitute a threat to health. This follows the patently dishonest misuse of radiation exposure metrics used for the first 3½ days of the crisis, which understated the real levels by 1000 or three orders of magnitude.
    Japan’s Nuclear Farce, Crikey, by Ben Sandilands, 17 March.11 A plume of radioactive particles extending into the stratosphere from the Fukushima Daiichi reactor complex makes a mockery of claims that Japan’s nuclear crisis isn’t comparable to the Chernobyl disaster in 1986. Continue reading →

    March 17, 2011 Posted by | environment, Japan, secrets,lies and civil liberties | Leave a comment

    Effects of Japan’s nuclear damage will be either serious or catastrophic

    In the best case,……….the immense anxiety triggered by the incident and the toll of the subsequent evacuation on nearby residents.

    The consequences of the most dire scenarios are much harder to estimate. They include the loss of the facility, an expensive local cleanup — a foregone conclusion — and a wide-scale disaster that renders the countryside around the plant uninhabitable for decades.

    Ultimate impact of damage to Japan nuclear reactors still unknown, Washington Post, By Brian Vastag, March 13,

    The detection of the highly radioactive elements cesium-137 and iodine-131 outside the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant heralds the beginning of an ecological and human tragedy. The open question is whether it will be limited, serious or catastrophic Continue reading →

    March 14, 2011 Posted by | environment, Japan | Leave a comment

    Chernobyl tourists warned of radiation risks

    Visitors have to sign a waiver, exempting the tour operator from all responsibility in the event that they later suffer radiation-related health problems…..”it is very dangerous to be here,” ….. “There are huge holes in the sarcophagus covering the reactor,”

    Chernobyl: The toxic tourist attraction – Telegraph, Andrew Osborne 6 Mar 11, “………Chernobyl itself and Pripyat, the Soviet model town that has now become a ghostly monument to humankind’s incompetence, have become ghoulish tourist attractions open to anyone ready to spend the equivalent of about £100 for a day trip. Continue reading →

    March 8, 2011 Posted by | environment, Ukraine | Leave a comment

    Record rain casts doubt on future of Australian uranium mine

    the shutdown was a precaution to ensure any more torrential rain didn’t push the tailings dam higher than allowed.

    Mine overflow risk DAVID WOOD  ntnews.com.au March 7th, 2011 THE VOLUME of water at Ranger uranium mine’s tailings dam could exceed the approved level if heavy rain continues, Continue reading →

    March 7, 2011 Posted by | AUSTRALIA, environment | Leave a comment

    Water shortage halts uranium processing plant in India

    Uranium processing plant lying idle for water crisis, IBN Live News, Mar 03,2011 Jamshedpur (Jharkhand), The production in the processing plant of Turamdih uranium mine, one of the mines of Uranium Corporation of India Limited (UCIL), has been suspended due to water shortage, officials said.”The processing plant of Turamdih Mines, on the outskirts of Jamshedpur, has been stopped due to water shortage,” S K Srivastav, General Manager of Processing Plant of UCIL, said.He said the processing plant, which has 3000 ton per day capacity, has been lying idle for the last four days as the water source of Kharkhai river has dried up.About 8000 to 9000 cusec water is needed to run the plant, he said.Srivastav said efforts have been underway to draw water from the nearby areas.He said UCIL has decided to transfer the mine water from Jadugora mine to run the mine for a few days. A study has been carried out in the nearby areas to identify a spot from where water could be drawn, officials said. 

    March 4, 2011 Posted by | India, water | Leave a comment

    New uranium mining threat to biodiversity of Grand Canyon

    Mining has been banned within the Grand Canyon national park since President Roosevelt declared it a national monument in 1908.

    Demand for uranium threatens Grand Canyon biodiversity Government report released on Friday will recommend whether raft of proposed mines in region should go ahead Felicity Caru guardian.co.uk,   17 February 2011 The natural beauty and unique species of the Grand Canyon are “in the crosshairs” because of renewed interest in the region’s uranium reserves. Continue reading →

    February 18, 2011 Posted by | environment, Uranium, USA | Leave a comment

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