Recent content by swimmer

Nuclear PR is familiar with the phrase 'freak accident', Daini (= Plant 2 in Japanese) experienced freak luck. Seen that slowed-down video footage from the helicopter over Daiichi? Early on you see tarmac ripped like paper by the earthquake. A metre away and it's still intact. Earthquake...

Tokaimura 1999, wasn't TEPCO involved? Goiania, Brazil 1987, that blue barbeque scene, is that where the expression "laughing in the face of death" came from? More horrible than horror stories these accidents. Sobering knowledge. We learn from our mistakes, yes, but some mistakes are...

Regarding tap water and I-131, this is the equation that works for me: Reading up on science + common sense + friends in Tokyo & Japan + given a choice = avoid tap water.

I can imagine. Also, to me it seems quite an overwhelming amount of cores and fuel rods to study. Lots of work to be done, lots of benefit to be gained from those willing and able to do the work.

Wow, really? To assist?

Correct, the water itself is safe. The radioactive isotope I-131 in your water is dangerous, especially in low doses. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iodine-131"

Can't find Tokyo detection records. The 'detected for the first time since testing began in 1990' is apparently in Gunma. Read here: http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/news/20110320p2g00m0dm023000c.html" http://english.kyodonews.jp/news/2011/03/79683.html" Whatever the levels before, the most...

From what I remember (have to check) this was the first time ever that radioactive iodine was detected in tap water Edit: in tap water in Tokyo since testing began in 1990. (Before = 0)

NHK now broadcasting the status report I mentioned earlier.

In case CNN has stopped NHK live stream (it seems so), go to: "[URL [/URL] or http://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/index.html" They're bringing in a tank to clear debris, big problems with getting water and power inside plant no2. Not even light inside. So we're not the only ones 'in the...

I forgot to add: There was NO mention of IR readings of any of the reactors.

Rhody, and anyone else interested, CNN has been continuously streaming NHK World TV online with interpreters translating audio into English live. This evening (Japan time) there was a detailed report on state of affairs in all 6 plants at Fukushima Daiichi. I only caught the end of it but NHK...

Update: No gases to be released from No. 3 reactor http://www3.nhk.or.jp/daily/english/20_23.html"

Thank you, Astronuc. Your expertise is much appreciated. More monitoring info can be accessed from this http://ht.ly/4exnv"

Live stream on http://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/" just reported there's TEPCO Fukushima Daiichi workers who have now received maximum radiation dose of 100mSv and that they would not be sent back in.