Meanwhile, over in Japan, the Fukushima nuclear facility is an ongoing, expanding disaster

[MadHound]

"Radiation readings at Japan’s Fukushima Dai-Ichi station rose to the highest since an earthquake and tsunami knocked out cooling systems, impeding efforts to contain the worst nuclear crisis since Chernobyl.

Two robots sent into the reactor No. 1 building at the plant yesterday took readings as high as 1,120 millisierverts of radiation per hour, Junichi Matsumoto, a general manager at Tokyo Electric Power Co., said today. That’s more than four times the annual dose permitted to nuclear workers at the stricken plant. "
<http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-04-27/tokyo-water-radiation-falls-to-zero-for-first-time-since-crisis.html>

The politics continue as well:
"A prominent Japanese radiation safety specialist has resigned his governmental advisory post in protest over what he calls "inexcusable" standards for school children in Fukushima Prefecture. The Yomiuri Online news web site reported in Japanese this evening that Toshiso Kosako, a radiation safety expert at the University of Tokyo, feels the standards are too lenient and that his advice has been ignored."
<http://news.sciencemag.org/scienceinsider/2011/04/government-adviser-quits-post-to.html?ref=hp>

And the government ineptness in the face of this crisis continues unabated as well, as does the increasingly bizarre solutions that TEPCO is coming up with. I mean really now, covering it in cloth:wtf::
"The timetable's first step focuses on cooling the reactors and spent fuel pools, reducing radiation leaks and decontaminating water that has become radioactive, within three months. The second step, for within six to nine months, is to bring the release of radioactive materials fully under control, achieve a cold shutdown of the reactors and cover the buildings, possibly with a form of industrial cloth."
<http://www.usatoday.com/money/topstories/2011-04-16-733815698_x.htm>

Let us not forget that this disaster is continuing to effect the rest of the world. Radioactive material from Fukushima has spread throughout the US and across the world.

Yet this disaster is continued to be downplayed. Instead, we are hammered with Libya, Trump, birthers, royal weddings, etc. etc. And yet, over in Japan, a nuclear nightmare continues to unfold, one that could, ultimately, adversely effect all of us.

[MineralMan]

1. What would you suggest they do, Madhound?

Do you have a suggestion that might help lower the amount of radiation? I'm sure they're taking advice from as many people as they can.

This disaster will be continuing for months to come. There will be more bad news, more suggestions of ways to deal with an unprecedented situation, and more things that do not work.

So, what would you have them do? Fill us in, please.

In the meantime, other things are happening on the planet. This one won't go away, and it won't be solved on your schedule.

[stockholmer]

2. challenging the poster to solve this is not conducive to civil discussion, and is sophistry

I for one, would like to see the goddamn UN marshal all the global resources of science, make this earth-priority number one, instead of providing false humanitarian cover for the systemic-controlled West to bomb brown people.

[MineralMan]

4. I posted my opinion and asked if the OP had a suggested

solution for the problem. Obviously, he does not. Right now, nobody does. The situation there is horrible, and we all know that. In the meantime, there are many other things going on in the world. The situation in Japan is just one of those things. Nothing has really changed there, and a solution is months away, at a minimum. Hand-waving will not speed the process of getting it under control.

When there is actual news about the Fukushima disaster, I will be intensely interested in that news. This OP is just more helpless hand-waving.

You disagree with my opinion. That is your privilege, as it is for me to post my opinion.

[stockholmer]

8. agreed, it is just (IMHO) that you came across as condemning them for just posting info

I think we all agree the situ in Fukushima is, to steal an American turn-of-phrase 'FUBAR'.

Without constant updates of information, the story gets mentally back-shelved in the collective zeitgeist.

[MadHound]

11. Actual news, LOL

Like what, the melted core finally hitting groundwater, with truly disastrous results?

I am posting actual news, sorry that I shook you out of your birther induced news coma, but Fukushima is becoming worse, on an almost daily basis.

Oh, and before you start saying that I "obviously" don't know of a solution, give me time to post back, OK. I'm not a speed typer.

[franzia99]

35. But what did you think of Kate's wedding dress?

[franzia99]

32. I disagree that nobody has a solution

Many have opined that this disaster has been handled incompetently. I suggest you do some research into the matter before you say nothing else can be done. A number of respected scientists have offered good advice, which you can find published in articles online, regarding what needs to be done.

[leveymg]

42. I think the OP's beef is with the corporate media, not the plant operators at this point.

You've raised a red herring in your response demanding a technical solution from the OP. You're totally off-topic.

[flamingdem]

39. +1000

[nonperson]

5. That's one of the oldest tricks in the book

Ask the poster how to solve the problem? Ridiculous. It reminds me of the people who used to ask me how to solve Iraq after that idiot Bush got us into it for absolutely no reason at all.

The problem is not solvable. We know that. But lying and covering up like BP did with the oil spill is NOT the way to handle a nuclear catastrophe. What are they going to tell us next? That the radiation just "disappeared" like all that BP oil?

[MineralMan]

9. Thank you for your reply.

Actually, the problem will eventually be solved. Eventually. I have no doubt whatever that the people best equipped to come up with solutions are working very, very hard to do just that. This exact situation has never occurred before, so there's no prefab solution for it. I certainly don't know of anything that will help.

There is really no new information in this original post. It's just more hand-waving that accomplishes nothing at all. The problem is primarily in Japan, even though some radiation is reaching other parts of the world. I feel sure that the Japanese want to solve it more than anybody. Don't you? They're working on finding a way to slow this down, stop it, and seal the whole thing up so there's some end to it. It's just that it's not such an easy thing to do.

[MadHound]

13. Actually, the problem is solvable, see my post below

The trouble is, TEPCO is more focused on saving the remaining on site assets rather than doing the right thing.

[nonperson]

18. I agree TEPCO is more interested in asset preservation

And I agree with your solution but it doesn't solve the problem because it's only a temporary solution. I've read the sarcophagus surrounding Chernobyl is decaying and must be replaced.

http://english.pravda.ru/history/26-04-2011/117701-chernobyl-0/

[MadHound]

21. No, it isn't permanent,

But it is a hell of a lot better than continuing to try and pump water on the situation, or simply covering it with some sort of cloth, like TEPCO is proposing.

Entomb it, cool it down, and then start to deal with a long term solution.

[nonperson]

25. I agree once again

Entomb it and reduce the radiation exposure. Then keep this thing entombed for the life of the fuel inside. Essentially forever.

That's a lot of sarcophagi (or is that sarcophaguses) (or is that the elephant on Sesame Street?)

[MadHound]

7. I would suggest that they take the path that was followed at Chernobyl

Namely pumping in a concrete, boric acid, sand, lead, clay mixture to dampen the nuclear reaction, put out the fires, and finally entomb the whole site in concrete. They have the resources on site, and could have started this weeks ago, but instead TEPCO is trying to save what assets it has left at Fukushima instead of thinking of the greater good.

This disaster only has to continue for months if TEPCO continues to put assets ahead of doing the right thing.

But hey, pay no attention to these matters, just go back to watching the royals.

[MineralMan]

14. No doubt they will do exactly that, but the design of the

installation doesn't allow them to just dump concrete on it. The entire installation is finished, and will never be used for anything ever again. TEPCO knows that already. They just have not figured out a way to stop the current reaction, get things cooled down, and entomb the place.

The disaster will continue for months, because there is no way to speed up the process of ending it, despite your wishes to the contrary.

As for my attention, it is already on this, and on other situations that are happening around the globe and in this country. The Royals? I don't care about them in the least.

[MadHound]

19. No, they can't just "dump", but hey,

That's why they've got some of the largest concrete pumps in the world over there, so they can pump the mixture into those spaces in, under and around the containment vessel. And those pumps have been on site for a couple of weeks now. But again, TEPCO is still trying to save assets rather than doing the right thing.

Psst, and using the Chernobyl solution is the quickest way to "get things cooled down".

This disaster doesn't have to continue for months.

So why are you so seemingly irate that I bring this up to the forefront? Shaking you out of your birther induced torpor is a bad thing?

[Autumn]

16. You know I think you are right about TEPCO,

but I can't see how they could save anything from there.

[MadHound]

24. Actually a lot of stuff could be reclaimed,

Especially from reactors 4-6. Even the spent fuel, as melted as it is, can bring in some big bucks for reprocessing.

But rather than declaring the whole thing an entire loss, TEPCO wants to save as much as possible, at the cost of exposing Japan, and possibly the world's population to major exposure.

[Autumn]

29. I hadn't thought of them reprocessing

the spent fuel, but it makes sense to me. Thanks for keeping up on this.

[franzia99]

31. I doubt they're taking advice. Tepco is looking out for Tepco.

If Tepco gave a shit about the people its radiating this very preventable accident never would have happened in the first place.

[Autumn]

3. Perhaps next time you should post a picture of a kitten

with your post. Just to lessen the bad news and so as to not give the impression you are bitching about it.:sarcasm:

I find it very frightening the length of time this will go on, and I agree it does seem to be down played. But sometimes I think IMO, it's because they have no clue what to do. Thanks for the post.

[Electric Monk]

15. Glow in the dark kittens!

http://edition.presstv.ir/detail/34769.html

Seems appropriate, somehow...

[Autumn]

17. LOL I think now we know

what could be on Trumps head.

[nonperson]

22. Trump is so diabolical

A nuclear kitten fur wig!

THERE IS NO DEFENSE AGAINST NUCLEAR KITTEN FUR WIGS!

[intheflow]

6. K&R

I can't believe we're not hearing more about this ongoing disaster - and the accumulative health effects it will have through the Northern Hemisphere.

[AsahinaKimi]

28. "I can't believe we're not hearing more"

Not that anyone has noticed, I have posted dozens of postings about Japan, most of which are ignored, or allowed to float over to page 2, 3 and 4. Most of my stories were buried because of the Royal Wedding..but Hey I expected that. I have several sources to Japanese newspapers, that are currently on line. I could list them, but anyone could easily google them.

I am beginning to believe most people think its "old news". Every day there is something new coming out of Japan because of the Earthquake, Tsunami and Nuke Reactor.. but I will bet you in a month, or less it will be "Oh hum, I am sick of these reports out of Japan." Wait and see. When I post a story and it gets zero looks, and zero recs..it falls like a rock, out of site, out of mind.

[intheflow]

40. Not you, AsahinaKimi.

I don't post much any more but I've rec'd everything I've seen of yours. I'm talking about the broader world, outside DU. Very few people are talking about the toxicity levels, or if they are, they're downplaying radioactivity in North American rainwater, for instance. I don't know if it's so much of a cover-up* as it's another "We-don't-know-what-the-fuck-to-do-so-we'll-just-ignore-it" moments in human denial history. :(



*Which is not to say that there may be no cover-ups happening at high levels, but most people don't have the education to comprehend how awful and far-reaching a disaster this is, or are just too plain terrified to let themselves quite believe it.

[KoKo]

10. Such a "Dead Story" ..the World has Moved on...Nothing to See Here...THANKS FOR POSTING..

Everyone seems to be treating this like the BP Oil Gusher..SO...thank you for posting about this and keeping the whole dreadful ongoing story ALIVE.

[KoKo]

12. K&R..

:kick:

[Atman]

20. Shhh...we don't want to talk about that. Could be bad for U.S. Nuke industry.

And General Electric, who owns half our tv networks.

[MadHound]

27. Hit the nail on the head,

The nuclear industry is terrified that this will once again wake up the people to dangers of nuclear power, and are doing all within their considerable power to downplay what is going on.

My fear is that one morning we're going to wake up to the fact that the core at one of the reactors has melted through the bottom of the containment vessel and catch pan, hit the groundwater and resulted in a massive explosion that will spread lots of radioactive material throughout Japan and the world.

[franzia99]

33. You got it.

[mountainlion55]

23. I gotta ask

Would it be asking too fucking much just to have an actual count of how much radiation we are getting. I live five miles from the Pacific coast in central Cali. 50 miles from Diablo Canyon. This Fukushima fuck-up has got me worried.:yoiks:

[MadHound]

26. Considering the concerns surrounding the US monitoring effort,

I would suggest that you find some friendly high school or college physics professor. Go out one morning and take a swipe off the hood of your car(assuming that you park your car outside overnight). Take this swipe into said physics professor, who should have a geiger counter. They should be able to give you a decent reading of how much fallout you're being exposed to.

You might want to repeat this a few times, especially once after it rains.

[mountainlion55]

34. Thanks for the info

:smoke:

[franzia99]

30. k & r

[Hell Hath No Fury]

36. K&R

[NNN0LHI]

37. My two grandsons have been drinking powdered milk since mid-March

Did the same thing with my two daughters after Chernobyl blew up.

I don't think our government is even checking for most radioactive isotopes. And if I am mistaken and they are checking I sure would like to see the data. I don't want to hear any more about this "safe limits", bullshit. I want to see the hard numbers.

Recommended and thanks for posting this MadHound.

Don

[MadHound]

38. Trouble is, it isn't just powdered milk that we might have to worry about,

But leafy vegetables, such as lettuce and broccoli. It is springtime, and veggie planted has begun, in California and elsewhere.

Thanks for helping keep this in the news as well around here.

[NNN0LHI]

41. Thank you very much for that added information

I will call my daughter and discuss your advice with her today.

I had never even thought about the vegetables aspect.

Thanks again.

Don