[ RadSafe ] Japan press release

[Jeff Terry]

This is what I don't understand. There is no one left to harm. The reports have indicated that they have evacuated out to 12 miles and now going to 20, but there is no one east of the plant over the ocean which the Chicago weather just report as the direction that the wind is blowing and come up with a better plan.

It is going to melt into the concrete, why risk the 50?

UPDATE AS OF 10:25 P.M. EDT, MONDAY, MARCH 14:
Yukio Edano, Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary, during a live press conference at 10 p.m. EDT, said there is a fire at Fukushima Daiichi 4 that is accompanied by high levels of radiation between Units 3 and 4 at the site. The fire began burning at Unit 4 at around 6 a.m. Japan time on March 14 and is still burning. Fire fighters are responding to the fire. The reactor does not have fuel in the reactor, but there is spent fuel in the reactor (pool) and Edano said that he assumes radioactive substances are being released. “The substances are coming out from the No. 4 reactor and we are making the utmost effort to put out the first and also cool down the No. 4 reactor (pool).”

Edano said that a blast was heard this morning at Unit 2 at about 6:30 a.m. A hole was observed in the number 2 reactor and he said there is very little possibility that an explosion will occur at Unit 2. 

“The part of the suppression chamber seems to have caused the blast,” Edano said. A small amount of radioactive substance seems to have been released to the outside. 

TEPCO workers continue to pump sea water at 1, 2 and 3 reactors. “The biggest problem is how to maintain the cooling and how to contain the fire at No. 4.” At 10:22 a.m. Japan time, the radiation level between units 2 and 3 were as high as 40 rem per hour. “We are talking about levels that can impact human health.” Edano said. 

Of the 800 staff that remained at the power plant, all but 50 who are directly involved in pumping water into the reactor have been evacuated. 

Jeff

Jeff Terry
Asst. Professor of Physics
Life Science Bldg Rm 166
Illinois Institute of Technology
3101 S. Dearborn St. 
Chicago IL 60616
630-252-9708
terryj at iit.edu




On Mar 14, 2011, at 10:39 PM, Larry Addis wrote:

> My God, I didn't think we would go here. If the site is evacuated except for
> 50 who are willing to die to attempt to mitigate harm to others?  This is
> just incredible.
> 
> And add to that all the spent fuel boiling away too? What a nightmare!
> 
> Absolutely stymied. 
> 
> LA
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: radsafe-bounces at health.phys.iit.edu
> [mailto:radsafe-bounces at health.phys.iit.edu] On Behalf Of Jeff Terry
> Sent: Monday, March 14, 2011 11:09 PM
> To: The International Radiation Protection (Health Physics) Mailing List
> Subject: Re: [ RadSafe ] Japan press release
> 
> Anyone know why they are leaving the last 50?
> 
> I am not the greatest with Sieverts/hr but if I am converting correctly,
> that is 40 rem/hr.
> I should be able to multiply by 100, but don't trust myself right now. 
> 
> I don't understand the decision to leave people in those conditions. 
> 
> Jeff
> 
> Jeff Terry
> Asst. Professor of Physics
> Life Science Bldg Rm 166
> Illinois Institute of Technology
> 3101 S. Dearborn St. 
> Chicago IL 60616
> 630-252-9708
> terryj at iit.edu
> 
> 
> 
> 
> On Mar 14, 2011, at 9:47 PM, Neill Stanford, CHP wrote:
> 
>> Watching the live feed of prime minister followed by minister of ..., I
> gleamed the following:
>> #4 has fire, the core was unloaded, fire suspected in SFP
>> 3 min later #2 explosion 
>> Now measuring 100 mSv (he noted that this was now milli not micro) and 400
> mSv between the reactor bldgs. All personnel have been evacuated except 50
> (I think) left behind to maintain the pumps.
>> Bad news.
>> 
>> 
>> Neill Stanford, CHP
>> Stanford Dosimetry, LLC
>> stanford at stanforddosimetry.com
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
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