Radiation Levels Surge Outside Two Nuclear Plants in Japan

Dig Coal baby! Dig Coal Baby!

Fukushima No.3 reactor's container feared damaged: Edano
TOKYO, March 16, Kyodo

The container of the No.3 reactor of the quake-hit Fukushima No.1 nuclear power plant is feared to have been damaged and may have leaked radioactive steam Wednesday, emitting high-level radiation, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yukio Edano said.

The radiation level briefly topped 2 milisievert at the plant, its operator Tokyo Electric Power Co. separately said.

The explanations were given after smoke was seen rising from the No.3 reactor since around 8:30 a.m., according to Edano.

Source

The latest now refers to Reactor #4 entering the damage game and Japan basically throwing in the towel in trying to further contain the damage. How very unfortunate for them. The horror for them just continues to go on and get worse.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110316/ap_ ... earthquake

MB what's the word on your daughter? I am thinking of her because I heard these companies are asking their employees to leave.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB1000142 ... nteractive

Fuel once taken to criticality is a hazard if not cooled for months-years.....usually by water. In the vessel or in a pool - or on your kitchen table. Decay heat is the issue. ALL pools with tons of used fuel are a problem if no water is passing through them. SIX reactors to worry over and six + pools possibly containing 100+ tons of spent fuel.

The containments do not house the pools

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nor so in USA plants.

Maybe there's some hope with a new power line?

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110316/ap_on_bi_ge/as_japan_earthquake

FYI
It's very hard today to buy any sort of iodine supplement. I was trying to buy some to send to family in California just in case. A local pharmacist did say to make sure you have iodized salt, and to give the kiddos a couple of extra shakes.
I found a good resource that lists the food sources of Iodine
Food sources
The iodine content of most foods depends on the iodine content of the soil. Seafood is rich in iodine because marine animals can concentrate the iodine from seawater. Certain types of seaweed (e.g., wakame) are also very rich in iodine. Processed foods may contain slightly higher levels of iodine due to the addition of iodized salt or food additives, such as calcium iodate and potassium iodate. Dairy products are relatively good sources of iodine because iodine is commonly added to animal feed in the U.S. In the U.K. and northern Europe, iodine levels in dairy products tend to be lower in summer when cattle are allowed to graze in pastures with low soil iodine content (6). The table below lists the iodine content of some iodine-rich foods in micrograms (mcg). Because the iodine content of foods can vary considerably, these values should be considered approximate (30).
Food Serving Iodine (mcg)
Salt (iodized) 1 gram 77
Cod 3 ounces* 99
Shrimp 3 ounces 35
Fish sticks 2 fish sticks 35
Tuna, canned in oil 3 ounces 17
Milk (cow's) 1 cup 56
Egg, boiled 1 large 12
Navy beans, 1/2 cup 32
Potato with peel, baked 60
Turkey breast, 3 ounces 34
Seaweed 1/4 ounce, dried Variable; may be greater than 4,500 mcg (4.5 mg)
*A three-ounce serving of meat is about the size of a deck of cards.


Source >>> Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University

CinnamonGirl wrote: MB what's the word on your daughter? I am thinking of her because I heard these companies are asking their employees to leave.

She has left the island about 4 hours ago. I expect to see her in about 2 days between planes on her way to D.C.

:crossed: :thumbsup: