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RE: Japan In Full-Scale Nuclear Accident Probe
Cheryl,
Yes I've gotten more information than I can handle on this, although I am
interested. Sorry, I have been weeding out many that seemed redundant and
didn't realize you had forwarded it to me, or I would have replied earlier.
There was a good update today, with email from a Japanese official, on the
spot.
Peter
-----Original Message-----
From: Walker, Cheryl L [mailto:Cheryl.Walker@pnl.gov]
Sent: Monday, October 04, 1999 11:19 AM
To: Multiple recipients of list
Subject: RE: Japan In Full-Scale Nuclear Accident Probe
Pat,
I thought you might be interested in this since it discloses how the plant
deviated from their approved method of operation. Let me know if you are
interested in any more articles - I am thinking that you are already
up-to-date
on this!
Me
-----Original Message-----
From: Sandy Perle [SMTP:sandyfl@earthlink.net]
Sent: Sunday, October 03, 1999 10:10 AM
To: Multiple recipients of list
Subject: Japan In Full-Scale Nuclear Accident Probe
Sunday October 3 11:03 AM ET
Japan In Full-Scale Nuclear Accident Probe
TOKYO (Reuters) - Officials Sunday continued an investigation into
the cause of the nation's worst-ever nuclear accident, working late
into the night after raiding the offices of the nuclear plant's
operators.
The questions focus on whether Thursday's incident was caused
by simple human error -- as has been previously suggested by the
management of the uranium processing plant -- or whether there
was a systematic violation of regulations which led to the release of
a massive burst of radiation.
Critics also argue the central government could be held responsible
for failing to ensure the company had proper safety procedures to
prevent the accident.
A local police spokesman said a 100-strong task force was formed
Sunday to investigate why a ``criticality accident,'' or a nuclear
chain reaction, occurred at the plant in Tokaimura, in Ibaraki
prefecture, 140 km (90 miles) northeast of Tokyo.
VICTIM PREPARES FOR TRANSFUSION
Fifty-five people, mainly plant workers and emergency personnel
who responded to the accident, were exposed to the radiation.
Three workers were in serious condition, with some experts saying
their chances of survival were slim.
One of them, 35-year-old Hisahi Ouchi who was exposed to the
biggest dose of radiation, will receive a transfusion of peripheral
stem cells into the bone marrow.
The transfusion, aimed at boosting his blood-producing functions,
is likely to be carried out as early as Wednesday, a hospital official
said.
INVESTIGATORS TO CONTINUE RAIDS Investigators from the
Science and Technology Agency, in charge of the country's
nuclear program, raided the Tokyo and Ibaraki offices of JCO Co.
Ltd., the operator of the uranium processing facility.
Television footage showed inspectors leaving the Tokyo office with
bags full of confiscated papers, while government officials said the
raid on the branch office was likely to continue into Monday.
JCO Co, a wholly owned unit of Sumitomo Metal Mining Co Ltd.,
acknowledged Saturday it had illegally revised a government-
approved manual to allow its workers to use stainless steel
buckets to transfer a uranium solution into a mixing tank.
This practice was not directly linked to the accident. But because
the workers were doing the job by hand, instead of using the
required apparatus, they mistakenly loaded 35 pounds of
condensed uranium, nearly eight times the normal amount.
This, nuclear experts say, likely created the ``flash criticality''
which was not halted until Friday morning.
GOVERNMENT VOWS STRICT INVESTIGATION
Kazuo Sato, chairman of the Nuclear Safety Commission, said
Sunday that the commission would look into whether there had
been lax supervision by the central government.
Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi was reported by Kyodo news agency
as telling reporters he hoped for ``strict investigation.''
``I'm told that the accident was caused by the way the company
ran their operations with little regard for safety. I think that's
unforgivable,'' Kyodo quoted Obuchi as saying.
While refusing to admit the government was at fault, Science and
Technology chief Akito Arima said authorities should tighten
control over the nation's nuclear facilities.
``We did not predict this sort of accident could ever happen... It is
unthinkable that 16 kg of uranium was brought in,'' Arima said.
``The government will work on measures to prevent similar
accidents from occurring in the future and incorporate them into
Japan's long-term nuclear program,'' he added.
RESIDENTS STILL IN FEAR, ANGER
In Tokaimura town, life was slowly returning to normal after the
government lifted its evacuation order Saturday for people living
within 350 meters (1,155 feet) of the site of the accident, saying it
was safe for them to go home and pledging to look for ways to
prevent similar disasters.
Many of the people interviewed on national television expressed
relief at being able to return home, but said they still feared the
invisible threat of radiation and hoped those responsible would be
punished.
------------------------
Sandy Perle
E-Mail: sandyfl@earthlink.net
Personal Website: http://www.geocities.com/capecanaveral/1205
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