Japan: High levels of radiation detected near area where steam spotted at Fukushima plant

[Emily]

http://ajw.asahi.com/article/0311dis...AJ201307240036

High radiation levels found near area where steam spotted at Fukushima plant

July 24, 2013

THE ASAHI SHIMBUN

High levels of radiation were detected near an area where steam was spotted July 23 at the No. 3 reactor building of the stricken Fukushima No. 1 nuclear plant, Tokyo Electric Power Co., the plant operator, said.

TEPCO gave a measurement of 562 millisieverts per hour.

The Nuclear Regulation Authority, the government's nuclear industry watchdog, instructed TEPCO to investigate further because the dose level is high.

What appeared to be steam was spotted near an equipment storage pool on the fifth floor of the No. 3 reactor building around 9:05 a.m. There was a similar occurrence on the morning of July 18...

http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/201.../#.Ue-MQKzNrMp

Melted fuel removal at Fukushima plant seen optimistically starting in 2020
Kyodo

Jun 28, 2013
[snip]
Reactor 3′s fuel is the highly lethal mixed uranium-plutonium oxide (MOX) fuel.

[Vibrant62]

Re: Japan: High levels of radiation detected near area where steam spotted at Fukushima plant

This is now a global problem. Why is it being left to a company to manage when it realistically needs the skills from experts around the world? What if there is a global problem such as a severe pandemic? Surely it is time for more concerted action.

[Emily]

Re: Japan: High levels of radiation detected near area where steam spotted at Fukushima plant

Maybe this situation can't be improved, but does the world want to miss the opportunity to try? I guess keeping this a TEPCO problem might give the impression that this couldn't happen elsewhere.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB1000...Tabs%3Darticle

July 28, 2013, 7:09 a.m. ET

Tepco Under Increasing Fire Over Nuclear Accident Site
Panel Appointed by Firm Criticize Slow Release of Information
[snip]
Earlier in the week, Japan's nuclear regulator had also expressed skepticism about Tepco's ability to keep the situation at the damaged plant under control.

"It is simply too big for one company to handle," said Shunichi Tanaka, Nuclear Regulation Authority chairman, at a news conference Wednesday. "Placing all the burden (of controlling the site) on them won't solve the problem."

Mr. Tanaka suggested that the government may have to eventually step in with money and other resources to help out.

"As the organization in charge, we can only say we will tackle the challenges in a responsible manner," a Tepco spokesman said in reply to Mr. Tanaka's comments...