Via NHK News, excerpt :
" Fukushima City has launched a massive campaign to clean up radioactive materials, with the ultimate goal of decontaminating all homes and public facilities.
The city is located about 60 kilometers from the disaster-stricken Daiichi nuclear power plant.
Decontamination work began on Tuesday morning in the Onami district, where radiation levels are relatively high.
Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda was on hand for about 20 minutes to inspect the work in Onami.
A team of professional workers used water jet cleaners to clean roofs and ditches. They also cut away vegetation in gardens and removed a layer of top soil."
Showing posts with label Nuclear plant. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Nuclear plant. Show all posts
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Monday, September 26, 2011
Japan : Hydrogen check ordered at No.2, 3 reactors
Via NHK News :
" Japan's nuclear safety agency has instructed the operator of the stricken Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant to check if hydrogen is building up in its No.2 and 3 reactors.
This is after the Tokyo Electric Power Company, or TEPCO, recently detected hydrogen in a pipe leading to the containment vessel of No.1 reactor. A hydrogen explosion occurred at the No.1 reactor on March 12th, after the March 11th quake and tsunami.
The government's Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency on Sunday instructed TEPCO to check pipes in the No.2 and No.3 reactors. The No.3 reactor suffered hydrogen explosion on March 14th and No. 2 reactor had a hydrogen explosion on March 15th."
" Japan's nuclear safety agency has instructed the operator of the stricken Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant to check if hydrogen is building up in its No.2 and 3 reactors.
This is after the Tokyo Electric Power Company, or TEPCO, recently detected hydrogen in a pipe leading to the containment vessel of No.1 reactor. A hydrogen explosion occurred at the No.1 reactor on March 12th, after the March 11th quake and tsunami.
The government's Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency on Sunday instructed TEPCO to check pipes in the No.2 and No.3 reactors. The No.3 reactor suffered hydrogen explosion on March 14th and No. 2 reactor had a hydrogen explosion on March 15th."
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Japan : Radioactive iodine spread south of nuclear plant
Via NHK News :
" Japanese government survey shows that radioactive iodine emitted from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant spread not only northwestward but also to the south of the plant.
The science ministry sampled soil at 2,200 locations, mostly in Fukushima Prefecture, in June and July, and created a map indicating the extent of the radioactive contamination as of June 14th.
Officials were able to obtain data for iodine 131 at only 400 locations, because of its short half-life of 8 days.
The latest map shows that iodine 131 spread northwest of the plant, just like cesium 137 as indicated on an earlier map. But the substance was also confirmed south of the plant at relatively high levels.
The researchers found that accumulation levels of iodine 131 were higher than those of cesium 137 in coastal areas south of the plant.
Ministry officials say clouds that moved southward over the plant apparently caught large amounts of iodine 131 that were emitted at the time."
" Japanese government survey shows that radioactive iodine emitted from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant spread not only northwestward but also to the south of the plant.
The science ministry sampled soil at 2,200 locations, mostly in Fukushima Prefecture, in June and July, and created a map indicating the extent of the radioactive contamination as of June 14th.
Officials were able to obtain data for iodine 131 at only 400 locations, because of its short half-life of 8 days.
The latest map shows that iodine 131 spread northwest of the plant, just like cesium 137 as indicated on an earlier map. But the substance was also confirmed south of the plant at relatively high levels.
The researchers found that accumulation levels of iodine 131 were higher than those of cesium 137 in coastal areas south of the plant.
Ministry officials say clouds that moved southward over the plant apparently caught large amounts of iodine 131 that were emitted at the time."
Monday, September 12, 2011
Japan : Research on drifting debris from March disaster
Via NHK News, excerpt :
" US and Japanese researchers have launched studies on the expected paths and environmental impact of huge amounts of debris that have been drifting in the Pacific Ocean since they were washed offshore by the March 11th tsunami.
Japan's Environment Ministry estimates that the March earthquake and tsunami created around 24.9 million tons of rubble in Iwate, Miyagi, and Fukushima prefectures, northeastern Japan. Massive amounts of debris are thought to be drifting in the Pacific after being washed into the sea by the tsunami.
Nikolai Maximenko, senior researcher at the University of Hawaii's International Pacific Research Center, is analyzing the paths of the drifting debris based on data about sea currents' speeds and directions observed at several hundred spots in the Pacific.
He says the debris is believed to be drifting several hundred kilometers east of the Midway Islands, which are located 2,000 kilometers northwest of Hawaii. He says some of it may reach Hawaii as early as next spring.
The professor notes that knowing the predicted paths of the drifting rubble is important to ensure safe navigation and to protect the marine ecosystem.
Meanwhile, Professor Shigeru Fujieda of Japan's Kagoshima University began research on the drifting debris in Hawaii last week. He examined large quantities of rubbish scattered on the beach of Oahu on Friday."
" US and Japanese researchers have launched studies on the expected paths and environmental impact of huge amounts of debris that have been drifting in the Pacific Ocean since they were washed offshore by the March 11th tsunami.
Japan's Environment Ministry estimates that the March earthquake and tsunami created around 24.9 million tons of rubble in Iwate, Miyagi, and Fukushima prefectures, northeastern Japan. Massive amounts of debris are thought to be drifting in the Pacific after being washed into the sea by the tsunami.
Nikolai Maximenko, senior researcher at the University of Hawaii's International Pacific Research Center, is analyzing the paths of the drifting debris based on data about sea currents' speeds and directions observed at several hundred spots in the Pacific.
He says the debris is believed to be drifting several hundred kilometers east of the Midway Islands, which are located 2,000 kilometers northwest of Hawaii. He says some of it may reach Hawaii as early as next spring.
The professor notes that knowing the predicted paths of the drifting rubble is important to ensure safe navigation and to protect the marine ecosystem.
Meanwhile, Professor Shigeru Fujieda of Japan's Kagoshima University began research on the drifting debris in Hawaii last week. He examined large quantities of rubbish scattered on the beach of Oahu on Friday."
Friday, July 29, 2011
Japan : 1,500 tons of radioactive sludge cannot be buried
Article from NHK News, excerpt :
" Nearly 50,000 tons of sludge at water treatment facilities has been found to contain radioactive cesium as the result of the accident at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant. Over 1,500 tons is so contaminated that it cannot be buried for disposal.
Water treatment facilities in eastern and northeastern Japan have been discovering sludge containing cesium.
The health ministry says there is 49,250 tons of such sludge in 14 prefectures in eastern and northeastern Japan.
A total of 1,557 tons in 5 prefectures, including Fukushima and Miyagi, was found to contain 8,000 or more becquerels per kilogram. This sludge is too radioactive to be buried for disposal.
The most contaminated sludge, with 89,697 becquerels per kilogram, was discovered at a water treatment facility in Koriyama City, Fukushima."
" Nearly 50,000 tons of sludge at water treatment facilities has been found to contain radioactive cesium as the result of the accident at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant. Over 1,500 tons is so contaminated that it cannot be buried for disposal.
Water treatment facilities in eastern and northeastern Japan have been discovering sludge containing cesium.
The health ministry says there is 49,250 tons of such sludge in 14 prefectures in eastern and northeastern Japan.
A total of 1,557 tons in 5 prefectures, including Fukushima and Miyagi, was found to contain 8,000 or more becquerels per kilogram. This sludge is too radioactive to be buried for disposal.
The most contaminated sludge, with 89,697 becquerels per kilogram, was discovered at a water treatment facility in Koriyama City, Fukushima."
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Japan : Cleanup rate at Fukushima plant remains low
Via NHK News :
" A system to decontaminate radioactive water at the crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant continues to work below its target capacity.
The plant's operator, Tokyo Electric Power Company, has found that the system's decontamination rate was about 53 percent during the past week, compared with the target rate of 70 percent. It has been unable to reach the target rate for 3 consecutive weeks.
The utility says the system's low performance rate is due to water leaks as well as the fact that its capacity to remove radioactive materials is 30 percent lower than the catalog states.
TEPCO says the system's performance has not improved even after its piping was changed, and that the cause of the problem is still unknown.
At the troubled plant, water used to cool down reactors has become radioactive and has been accumulating in the basements of the reactor buildings.
TEPCO has operated the cyclical system since late last month, using the water to cool down the reactors after decontaminating it.
On Tuesday, the utility company and the government said that the reactors are being cooled down in a stable manner. However, the system to recycle cooling water is not working well.
At the Number 1 reactor building, the level of polluted water in the basement at 7 AM on Wednesday was 13 centimeters higher than the previous day. TEPCO says a tropical storm has raised the water levels."
" A system to decontaminate radioactive water at the crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant continues to work below its target capacity.
The plant's operator, Tokyo Electric Power Company, has found that the system's decontamination rate was about 53 percent during the past week, compared with the target rate of 70 percent. It has been unable to reach the target rate for 3 consecutive weeks.
The utility says the system's low performance rate is due to water leaks as well as the fact that its capacity to remove radioactive materials is 30 percent lower than the catalog states.
TEPCO says the system's performance has not improved even after its piping was changed, and that the cause of the problem is still unknown.
At the troubled plant, water used to cool down reactors has become radioactive and has been accumulating in the basements of the reactor buildings.
TEPCO has operated the cyclical system since late last month, using the water to cool down the reactors after decontaminating it.
On Tuesday, the utility company and the government said that the reactors are being cooled down in a stable manner. However, the system to recycle cooling water is not working well.
At the Number 1 reactor building, the level of polluted water in the basement at 7 AM on Wednesday was 13 centimeters higher than the previous day. TEPCO says a tropical storm has raised the water levels."
Monday, July 4, 2011
Japan : Hoses at Fukushima to be checked
From NHK News :
" Tokyo Electric Power Company, or TEPCO, is set to replace leaky plastic hoses that brought cooling to a halt at the Number 5 reactor at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant.
TEPCO is now searching for potential leaks and will replace these hoses. A large number of the polyvinyl chloride hoses are being used in the reactor's heat removal system.
TEPCO found water leaking from a large crack in a hose around the outlet of a temporary pump sending seawater into the Number 5 reactor's cooling system on Sunday. The cooling system was stopped for 3-and-a-half hours to replace the hose.
The operator says the hose cracked because it was bent at an acute angle and was under pressure.
The company fears other hoses may crack and will search for possible trouble and replace them.
TEPCO adds that no replacement is required for hoses that transfer highly radioactive water because they are not bent at extreme angles."
" Tokyo Electric Power Company, or TEPCO, is set to replace leaky plastic hoses that brought cooling to a halt at the Number 5 reactor at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant.
TEPCO is now searching for potential leaks and will replace these hoses. A large number of the polyvinyl chloride hoses are being used in the reactor's heat removal system.
TEPCO found water leaking from a large crack in a hose around the outlet of a temporary pump sending seawater into the Number 5 reactor's cooling system on Sunday. The cooling system was stopped for 3-and-a-half hours to replace the hose.
The operator says the hose cracked because it was bent at an acute angle and was under pressure.
The company fears other hoses may crack and will search for possible trouble and replace them.
TEPCO adds that no replacement is required for hoses that transfer highly radioactive water because they are not bent at extreme angles."
Friday, June 17, 2011
Japan : Leak source identified at Fukushima Daiichi pant
Via NHK News :
" Tokyo Electric Power Company says that a damaged valve caused a water leak in a system to decontaminate the highly radioactive water accumulating in the crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant. The utility is making efforts to restore the newly installed water treatment system.
The system's final test run was suspended on Thursday night after water was found leaking from a US-made device that removes radioactive cesium. The device is one of the major components of the system.
Company officials found that an air ventilation valve in one of the containers comprising the device had been damaged. They also discovered that a water valve in another container was closed.
They concluded that contaminated water inside the cesium removal device had escaped through the air valve, resulting in the leak.
The company is now replacing the damaged valve.
It plans to resume the test run as soon as possible and start full-scale operation of the decontamination system within Friday as initially planned.
Tokyo Electric says the system is essential to its efforts to reduce the amount of highly radioactive water accumulating in the plant. It is feared that the water could overflow in around 10 days."
" Tokyo Electric Power Company says that a damaged valve caused a water leak in a system to decontaminate the highly radioactive water accumulating in the crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant. The utility is making efforts to restore the newly installed water treatment system.
The system's final test run was suspended on Thursday night after water was found leaking from a US-made device that removes radioactive cesium. The device is one of the major components of the system.
Company officials found that an air ventilation valve in one of the containers comprising the device had been damaged. They also discovered that a water valve in another container was closed.
They concluded that contaminated water inside the cesium removal device had escaped through the air valve, resulting in the leak.
The company is now replacing the damaged valve.
It plans to resume the test run as soon as possible and start full-scale operation of the decontamination system within Friday as initially planned.
Tokyo Electric says the system is essential to its efforts to reduce the amount of highly radioactive water accumulating in the plant. It is feared that the water could overflow in around 10 days."
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Japan : Green tea made by 5 Shizuoka plants contaminated with radiation
Via Japan Today :
" SHIZUOKA : The Shizuoka prefectural government said Tuesday it has asked five tea manufacturing plants in the city of Shizuoka to voluntarily stop shipping green tea leaves and recall those already shipped as they were found to contain radioactive cesium in excess of the legal limit.
The five are among 20 plants in the city’s Warashina district inspected by prefectural government experts earlier in the day following the recent finding of the radioactive substance above the limit in tea leaves produced at another plant in the district."
" SHIZUOKA : The Shizuoka prefectural government said Tuesday it has asked five tea manufacturing plants in the city of Shizuoka to voluntarily stop shipping green tea leaves and recall those already shipped as they were found to contain radioactive cesium in excess of the legal limit.
The five are among 20 plants in the city’s Warashina district inspected by prefectural government experts earlier in the day following the recent finding of the radioactive substance above the limit in tea leaves produced at another plant in the district."
Friday, June 10, 2011
Japan : TEPCO testing water treatment system
Article from NHK News :
" Tokyo Electric Power Company is conducting a test-run of a new system to treat the highly radioactive water that is flooding facilities at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant.
On Friday, the first day of the test-run, relatively low-level radioactive water will be sent into a device designed to remove cesium using zeolite, in an attempt to determine if it works without problems.
The system also includes equipment that settles radioactive substances using special chemicals.
TEPCO expects the concentration of radioactive material in the water to be reduced to one-thousandth to one-ten-thousandth of the current level. Oil and salt will be also removed through the process.
Each component of the system will be tested over a period of around one week.
More than 105,000 tons of highly radioactive water has accumulated on the plant's premises. The amount is growing by 500 tons a day as fresh water is injected into troubled reactors to try to cool them down.
The system is believed to hold the key to TEPCO's efforts to stabilize the plant, amid growing fears that the contaminated water could start overflowing in late June.
The company wants to treat 1,200 tons of highly contaminated water daily and process a total of 250,000 tons over a year. It is aiming to recycle the treated water and use it to cool the reactors.
There are concerns, however, that some of the devices used in the new system may not meet government standards for earthquake resistance.
But the Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency says that, given the urgency of the situation, there is no choice but to use equipment designed for general industrial use."
" Tokyo Electric Power Company is conducting a test-run of a new system to treat the highly radioactive water that is flooding facilities at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant.
On Friday, the first day of the test-run, relatively low-level radioactive water will be sent into a device designed to remove cesium using zeolite, in an attempt to determine if it works without problems.
The system also includes equipment that settles radioactive substances using special chemicals.
TEPCO expects the concentration of radioactive material in the water to be reduced to one-thousandth to one-ten-thousandth of the current level. Oil and salt will be also removed through the process.
Each component of the system will be tested over a period of around one week.
More than 105,000 tons of highly radioactive water has accumulated on the plant's premises. The amount is growing by 500 tons a day as fresh water is injected into troubled reactors to try to cool them down.
The system is believed to hold the key to TEPCO's efforts to stabilize the plant, amid growing fears that the contaminated water could start overflowing in late June.
The company wants to treat 1,200 tons of highly contaminated water daily and process a total of 250,000 tons over a year. It is aiming to recycle the treated water and use it to cool the reactors.
There are concerns, however, that some of the devices used in the new system may not meet government standards for earthquake resistance.
But the Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency says that, given the urgency of the situation, there is no choice but to use equipment designed for general industrial use."
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Japan : Radioactive strontium detected 62 km from Fukushima plant
Via Japan Today :
" TOKYO : Minute amounts of radioactive strontium have been detected in soil at 11 locations in Fukushima Prefecture, including the city of Fukushima located 62 kilometers from the crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, according to the science ministry.
The Nuclear Safety Commission said they are unlikely to pose an immediate threat to human health but warned people about the intake of radioactive strontium into their bodies.
According to the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, 54 becquerels of strontium 89 per kilogram were detected in soil collected in the city of Fukushima on April 27.
The highest amount, 1,500 becquerels of strontium, was detected in soil collected on May 6 in the town of Namie located 24 km northwest of the nuclear plant, which was severely damaged by the March 11 earthquake and tsunami.
The ministry also detected 1,000 becquerels of strontium in the village of Iitate, 220 becquerels in the town of Kawamata and 30 becquerels in the town of Hirono."
" TOKYO : Minute amounts of radioactive strontium have been detected in soil at 11 locations in Fukushima Prefecture, including the city of Fukushima located 62 kilometers from the crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, according to the science ministry.
The Nuclear Safety Commission said they are unlikely to pose an immediate threat to human health but warned people about the intake of radioactive strontium into their bodies.
According to the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, 54 becquerels of strontium 89 per kilogram were detected in soil collected in the city of Fukushima on April 27.
The highest amount, 1,500 becquerels of strontium, was detected in soil collected on May 6 in the town of Namie located 24 km northwest of the nuclear plant, which was severely damaged by the March 11 earthquake and tsunami.
The ministry also detected 1,000 becquerels of strontium in the village of Iitate, 220 becquerels in the town of Kawamata and 30 becquerels in the town of Hirono."
Japan : Nuclear evacuation being considered for more areas
Via NHK News :
" The Japanese government says it will quickly decide on whether to evacuate more people from areas around the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant which have radiation levels exceeding the state limit.
This comes after it was found that accumulative radiation exposure levels in parts of Date and Minamisoma cities exceed the 20 millisieverts per year limit set by the government. The areas are outside the current evacuation zone.
Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Tetsuro Fukuyama met with Minamisoma Mayor Katsunobu Sakurai at the prime minister's office on Thursday to discuss the situation.
After the meeting, Sakurai told reporters that residents are voicing concern and some want to evacuate. He said he asked the government to carefully consider the residents' wishes when deciding about evacuation.
Fukuyama told reporters that the government wants to quickly reach a decision after discussions with the 2 cities. He added the government wants to be on the cautious side in protecting the health of the residents."
" The Japanese government says it will quickly decide on whether to evacuate more people from areas around the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant which have radiation levels exceeding the state limit.
This comes after it was found that accumulative radiation exposure levels in parts of Date and Minamisoma cities exceed the 20 millisieverts per year limit set by the government. The areas are outside the current evacuation zone.
Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Tetsuro Fukuyama met with Minamisoma Mayor Katsunobu Sakurai at the prime minister's office on Thursday to discuss the situation.
After the meeting, Sakurai told reporters that residents are voicing concern and some want to evacuate. He said he asked the government to carefully consider the residents' wishes when deciding about evacuation.
Fukuyama told reporters that the government wants to quickly reach a decision after discussions with the 2 cities. He added the government wants to be on the cautious side in protecting the health of the residents."
Monday, June 6, 2011
Japan : Highly radioactive debris found at Fukushima plant
Article from NHK News :
" Highly radioactive debris is still hampering the operator of the damaged Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant from bringing its reactors under control, almost 3 months after the March 11th earthquake and tsunami.
On Monday, a piece of debris about 5 centimeters in diameter with radiation levels of 950 millisieverts per hour was removed from the west side of the Number 3 reactor building. It had been found on Saturday.
In May, debris with a radiation dose of 1,000 millisieverts per hour was discovered in the area, while rubble contaminated with 900 millisieverts per hour was found in April.
Tokyo Electric Power Company has so far removed about 280 containers of radioactive debris, but radiation levels still remain high near the reactor building that was badly damaged by a hydrogen explosion.
TEPCO is also struggling to handle highly radioactive water. More than 100,000 tons of contaminated water is believed to have accumulated in the basements of the reactor and turbine buildings.
TEPCO plans to begin a decontamination process on June 15th. Preparations are under way. The utility tested a device on Monday that will filter radioactive sediment from the water."
" Highly radioactive debris is still hampering the operator of the damaged Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant from bringing its reactors under control, almost 3 months after the March 11th earthquake and tsunami.
On Monday, a piece of debris about 5 centimeters in diameter with radiation levels of 950 millisieverts per hour was removed from the west side of the Number 3 reactor building. It had been found on Saturday.
In May, debris with a radiation dose of 1,000 millisieverts per hour was discovered in the area, while rubble contaminated with 900 millisieverts per hour was found in April.
Tokyo Electric Power Company has so far removed about 280 containers of radioactive debris, but radiation levels still remain high near the reactor building that was badly damaged by a hydrogen explosion.
TEPCO is also struggling to handle highly radioactive water. More than 100,000 tons of contaminated water is believed to have accumulated in the basements of the reactor and turbine buildings.
TEPCO plans to begin a decontamination process on June 15th. Preparations are under way. The utility tested a device on Monday that will filter radioactive sediment from the water."
Saturday, June 4, 2011
Japan : Heavy rain may cause toxic water to overflow outside Fukushima plant
Another article from Japan Today :
" TOKYO : Tokyo Electric Power Co said Friday radioactive water accumulated at its crippled nuclear power plant may overflow to the outside if heavy rain falls by June 15, fanning fears that radiation could further pollute the ocean and soil. The plant operator plans to start activating new equipment that can decontaminate the problem water June 15 or later but the possibility lingers that the project will not be completed in time, the officials said.
The amount of contaminated water, which may be leaking from the No. 1 to No. 3 reactors damaged by the March 11 earthquake and tsunami, has risen to 105,100 tons in total as of Tuesday as a recent typhoon brought substantial rainfall to the complex, utility officials said.
Even if there is no rain, the contaminated water may start overflowing to the outside June 20 at the earliest as coolant water for troubled reactors is believed to be seeping through the outer buildings, the officials said, adding that the combined amount of radiation in the tainted water is estimated to be 720,000 terabecquerels.
Hidehiko Nishiyama, a spokesman for the Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency, said, ‘‘If the possibility grows that tainted water will spill to the outside, we have to consider taking emergency measures’’ to stop the leakage.
Even if TEPCO successfully transfers around 4,300 tons of the toxic water to condensers at the Nos. 2 and 3 reactors and a waste-processing facility, the remaining water is feared to overflow to the environment June 20 at the No. 2 unit and June 21 at the No. 3 reactor, the officials said."
" TOKYO : Tokyo Electric Power Co said Friday radioactive water accumulated at its crippled nuclear power plant may overflow to the outside if heavy rain falls by June 15, fanning fears that radiation could further pollute the ocean and soil. The plant operator plans to start activating new equipment that can decontaminate the problem water June 15 or later but the possibility lingers that the project will not be completed in time, the officials said.
The amount of contaminated water, which may be leaking from the No. 1 to No. 3 reactors damaged by the March 11 earthquake and tsunami, has risen to 105,100 tons in total as of Tuesday as a recent typhoon brought substantial rainfall to the complex, utility officials said.
Even if there is no rain, the contaminated water may start overflowing to the outside June 20 at the earliest as coolant water for troubled reactors is believed to be seeping through the outer buildings, the officials said, adding that the combined amount of radiation in the tainted water is estimated to be 720,000 terabecquerels.
Hidehiko Nishiyama, a spokesman for the Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency, said, ‘‘If the possibility grows that tainted water will spill to the outside, we have to consider taking emergency measures’’ to stop the leakage.
Even if TEPCO successfully transfers around 4,300 tons of the toxic water to condensers at the Nos. 2 and 3 reactors and a waste-processing facility, the remaining water is feared to overflow to the environment June 20 at the No. 2 unit and June 21 at the No. 3 reactor, the officials said."
Japan : 2 nuclear plant workers exceed radiation limit; more being tested
Via Japan Today :
" TOKYO : Two nuclear plant workers have exceeded Japan’s radiation exposure limit for men and others who toiled without sufficient protection in the earliest days of the disaster could show high levels as well, the government and plant operator said Friday.
The two control room operators at the Fukushima Daiichi plant are the first men to surpass the government-set limit. About 40 workers are being tested further after preliminary findings showed high exposures, TEPCO spokesman Junichi Matsumoto said.
The two men are not showing immediate health problems but have an increased lifetime risk of cancer. TEPCO will take care of their long-term health monitoring, he said.
Doctors at the National Institute of Radiological Sciences examined them and said the two men don’t require current health treatment and can live normally, Matsumoto said.
Workers have been fighting to get the Fukushima Dai-ichi plant under control since the March 11 earthquake and tsunami knocked out power and crucial cooling systems, largely melting the cores of three reactors. Several explosions have scattered highly radioactive debris around the plant and leaked radiactivity into the environment around it.
The two men, one in his 30s and the other in his 40s, were responsible for the central control room for Unit 3 and 4 reactors the day the disasters struck and in the days that followed. About 150 other control room operators worked early in the crisis and are being examined."
" TOKYO : Two nuclear plant workers have exceeded Japan’s radiation exposure limit for men and others who toiled without sufficient protection in the earliest days of the disaster could show high levels as well, the government and plant operator said Friday.
The two control room operators at the Fukushima Daiichi plant are the first men to surpass the government-set limit. About 40 workers are being tested further after preliminary findings showed high exposures, TEPCO spokesman Junichi Matsumoto said.
The two men are not showing immediate health problems but have an increased lifetime risk of cancer. TEPCO will take care of their long-term health monitoring, he said.
Doctors at the National Institute of Radiological Sciences examined them and said the two men don’t require current health treatment and can live normally, Matsumoto said.
Workers have been fighting to get the Fukushima Dai-ichi plant under control since the March 11 earthquake and tsunami knocked out power and crucial cooling systems, largely melting the cores of three reactors. Several explosions have scattered highly radioactive debris around the plant and leaked radiactivity into the environment around it.
The two men, one in his 30s and the other in his 40s, were responsible for the central control room for Unit 3 and 4 reactors the day the disasters struck and in the days that followed. About 150 other control room operators worked early in the crisis and are being examined."
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Japan : Wastewater rises, fears mount
Via NHK News :
" The operator of the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant is struggling to remove pools of highly radioactive wastewater as fears of an overflow get more intense.
Tokyo Electric Power Company says wastewater levels rose around 6 centimeters inside the No.2 reactor turbine building, and in its utility tunnel, during the 24-hour period through Thursday morning.
Increases were also seen inside the No.3 and 4 reactor turbine buildings.
The water level in the utility tunnel is now just 28 centimeters from the surface outside the No.2 reactor, and 24 centimeters from the surface outside the No.3 reactor.
Tokyo Electric plans to start using a water purifier by the middle of this month. But as an emergency measure it's preparing to remove wastewater pooled inside the No.3 reactor turbine building to its turbine condenser.
The utility is also considering using 2 additional buildings inside the compound as storage.
The level of wastewater inside the No.1 reactor building dropped 8 centimeters on Thursday morning from Wednesday, unlike the other facilities.
Tokyo Electric is measuring the level of radiation in groundwater near the plant to check for possible wastewater leakage."
" The operator of the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant is struggling to remove pools of highly radioactive wastewater as fears of an overflow get more intense.
Tokyo Electric Power Company says wastewater levels rose around 6 centimeters inside the No.2 reactor turbine building, and in its utility tunnel, during the 24-hour period through Thursday morning.
Increases were also seen inside the No.3 and 4 reactor turbine buildings.
The water level in the utility tunnel is now just 28 centimeters from the surface outside the No.2 reactor, and 24 centimeters from the surface outside the No.3 reactor.
Tokyo Electric plans to start using a water purifier by the middle of this month. But as an emergency measure it's preparing to remove wastewater pooled inside the No.3 reactor turbine building to its turbine condenser.
The utility is also considering using 2 additional buildings inside the compound as storage.
The level of wastewater inside the No.1 reactor building dropped 8 centimeters on Thursday morning from Wednesday, unlike the other facilities.
Tokyo Electric is measuring the level of radiation in groundwater near the plant to check for possible wastewater leakage."
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Japan : Oil leaking into sea near Fukushima nuclear plant
Via Japan Today :
" TOKYO : Oil has been found leaking into the sea near the crisis-hit Fukushima nuclear power plant, possibly from nearby oil tanks that may have been damaged in the March earthquake and tsunami, the plant operator said Tuesday, adding that it will set up oil fences to prevent the liquid from spreading into the Pacific Ocean.
The oil slick was found at 8 a.m. by Tokyo Electric Power Co workers who were patrolling the premises of the plant on the Pacific coast, and is believed to be spreading at a 200-300 meter range inside breakwaters.
As the leakage appears to have remained inside the breakwaters, the government’s Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency spokesman Hidehiko Nishiyama said that the impact on areas outside the breakwaters is likely to be ‘‘extremely limited’’ so far.
Tokyo Electric suspects that the oil may have leaked from tanks located near the water intake for the Nos. 5 and 6 reactors or pipes that deliver the oil, because the March 11 disaster took place when a tanker was supplying oil. One of the tanks was moved from its original location because of the tsunami.
The tanks, each with a 960-kiloliter capacity, are believed to have had some heavy oil inside, but it is unknown exactly how much."
" TOKYO : Oil has been found leaking into the sea near the crisis-hit Fukushima nuclear power plant, possibly from nearby oil tanks that may have been damaged in the March earthquake and tsunami, the plant operator said Tuesday, adding that it will set up oil fences to prevent the liquid from spreading into the Pacific Ocean.
The oil slick was found at 8 a.m. by Tokyo Electric Power Co workers who were patrolling the premises of the plant on the Pacific coast, and is believed to be spreading at a 200-300 meter range inside breakwaters.
As the leakage appears to have remained inside the breakwaters, the government’s Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency spokesman Hidehiko Nishiyama said that the impact on areas outside the breakwaters is likely to be ‘‘extremely limited’’ so far.
Tokyo Electric suspects that the oil may have leaked from tanks located near the water intake for the Nos. 5 and 6 reactors or pipes that deliver the oil, because the March 11 disaster took place when a tanker was supplying oil. One of the tanks was moved from its original location because of the tsunami.
The tanks, each with a 960-kiloliter capacity, are believed to have had some heavy oil inside, but it is unknown exactly how much."
Monday, May 30, 2011
Japan : Radiation exposure for 2 workers may exceed limit
Via NHK News :
" Two workers at the troubled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant may have been exposed to high levels of radiation exceeding the safety limit set by the government.
If confirmed, these are the first cases of radiation exposure since the health ministry raised the limit in March following the accident.
Tokyo Electric Power Company said on Monday the 2 workers are men. One is in his 30s and the other in his 40s. Both worked at the control rooms of the Number 3 and 4 reactors, and elsewhere, after the accident broke out at the plant.
TEPCO said a test conducted at an institute last Monday found 9,760 becquerels and 7,690 becquerels of radioactive iodine-131 in the workers' thyroids. This means they are likely suffering from internal radiation exposure after inhaling radioactive substances.
These figures are more than tenfold the other workers.
It was confirmed that the 2 contaminated workers have been exposed to external radiation of 74 and 89 millisieverts so far.
TEPCO said these combined readings suggest that the 2 may have been exposed to radiation levels exceeding the safety limit of 250 millisieverts set for emergency situations.
TEPCO says that so far, the workers have not complained of health problems."
" Two workers at the troubled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant may have been exposed to high levels of radiation exceeding the safety limit set by the government.
If confirmed, these are the first cases of radiation exposure since the health ministry raised the limit in March following the accident.
Tokyo Electric Power Company said on Monday the 2 workers are men. One is in his 30s and the other in his 40s. Both worked at the control rooms of the Number 3 and 4 reactors, and elsewhere, after the accident broke out at the plant.
TEPCO said a test conducted at an institute last Monday found 9,760 becquerels and 7,690 becquerels of radioactive iodine-131 in the workers' thyroids. This means they are likely suffering from internal radiation exposure after inhaling radioactive substances.
These figures are more than tenfold the other workers.
It was confirmed that the 2 contaminated workers have been exposed to external radiation of 74 and 89 millisieverts so far.
TEPCO said these combined readings suggest that the 2 may have been exposed to radiation levels exceeding the safety limit of 250 millisieverts set for emergency situations.
TEPCO says that so far, the workers have not complained of health problems."
Sunday, May 29, 2011
Japan : Radioactive materials found off Miyagi and Ibaraki
Article from NHK News :
" Japan's science ministry has detected extraordinarily high levels of radioactive cesium in seafloor samples collected off Miyagi and Ibaraki Prefectures.
Experts say monitoring should be stepped up over a larger area to determine how fish and shell fish are being affected.
The ministry collected samples from 12 locations along a 300-kilometer stretch off Fukushima prefecture's Pacific coast between May 9th and 14th. It hoped to get an idea about the spread of nuclear contamination caused by the accident at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant.
Radioactive substances were found in all locations, including those off Miyagi and Ibaraki Prefectures, which had not been previously investigated.
Radioactive cesium 137, measuring 110 becquerels per kilogram or about 100 times the normal level, was found in samples collected from the seabed 30 kilometers off Sendai City and 45 meters beneath the surface.
Samples collected from the seabed 10 kilometers off Mito City and 49 meters beneath the surface measured 50 becquerels or about 50 times the normal level.
Professor Takashi Ishimaru of the Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology says plankton most probably absorbed the radioactive substances carried by the current near the sea surface, and then sank to the seabed.
He said monitoring must be stepped up over a larger area, as radioactive materials in the seabed do not dissolve quickly, and can accumulate in the bodies of larger fish that eat shrimp and crabs that live on the seafloor."
" Japan's science ministry has detected extraordinarily high levels of radioactive cesium in seafloor samples collected off Miyagi and Ibaraki Prefectures.
Experts say monitoring should be stepped up over a larger area to determine how fish and shell fish are being affected.
The ministry collected samples from 12 locations along a 300-kilometer stretch off Fukushima prefecture's Pacific coast between May 9th and 14th. It hoped to get an idea about the spread of nuclear contamination caused by the accident at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant.
Radioactive substances were found in all locations, including those off Miyagi and Ibaraki Prefectures, which had not been previously investigated.
Radioactive cesium 137, measuring 110 becquerels per kilogram or about 100 times the normal level, was found in samples collected from the seabed 30 kilometers off Sendai City and 45 meters beneath the surface.
Samples collected from the seabed 10 kilometers off Mito City and 49 meters beneath the surface measured 50 becquerels or about 50 times the normal level.
Professor Takashi Ishimaru of the Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology says plankton most probably absorbed the radioactive substances carried by the current near the sea surface, and then sank to the seabed.
He said monitoring must be stepped up over a larger area, as radioactive materials in the seabed do not dissolve quickly, and can accumulate in the bodies of larger fish that eat shrimp and crabs that live on the seafloor."
Friday, May 27, 2011
Japan : TEPCO may need to plug leak at Fukushima plant
Via NHK News, excerpt :
" The operator of the Fukushima nuclear power plant says highly radioactive water continues to leak from a waste disposal facility in the complex.
Tokyo Electric Power Company said on Friday that the water level had dropped by around 3 centimeters as of 7 AM from the level observed at 5 PM on Thursday.
TEPCO had transferred to the facility some of the highly radioactive water flooding the basement of the No.3 reactor's turbine building and nearby tunnel, before it suspended the work earlier this week.
On Thursday, the transferred water was found to be leaking into an underground passage to another building.
The utility firm says it is likely that the water level in the facility will stop falling, but added that it may need to plug the leaks.
The work is expected to be difficult as radiation levels of up to 70 millisieverts per hour have been detected on the water's surface."
" The operator of the Fukushima nuclear power plant says highly radioactive water continues to leak from a waste disposal facility in the complex.
Tokyo Electric Power Company said on Friday that the water level had dropped by around 3 centimeters as of 7 AM from the level observed at 5 PM on Thursday.
TEPCO had transferred to the facility some of the highly radioactive water flooding the basement of the No.3 reactor's turbine building and nearby tunnel, before it suspended the work earlier this week.
On Thursday, the transferred water was found to be leaking into an underground passage to another building.
The utility firm says it is likely that the water level in the facility will stop falling, but added that it may need to plug the leaks.
The work is expected to be difficult as radiation levels of up to 70 millisieverts per hour have been detected on the water's surface."
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