Sunday, February 9, 2014

Fukushima nuclear disaster thread - Week of February 9 , 2014 - Examining the ongoing remediation attempts by Tepco at the Fukushima site , as well as the ongoing contamination not just in Japan , but globally. Sadly , the continuing attempts from both Japan and the US to cover up the full extent of the ongoing damage and health effect also set forth.


Dispersion chart......




















Energy News.....

2/15/14.....


Reports: ‘Deformed’ containment vessel cover at Fukushima Reactor 3 — Center panel of concrete cover ‘broken and sunken’ (PHOTOS & VIDEO)






2/14/14....


Professor on PBS: “Consolidated mass” of radioactive water “moving in unison” across Pacific to West Coast — Study: Fukushima nuclear material stays “confined to a narrow band” in ocean — “Very little dispersion” (MAP & AUDIO)




Japan Physician: Parents should evacuate children from Tokyo; Danger from Fukushima radioactivity — “The threat has seemed to be spreading” — “I’ve seen a lot of patients who are badly affected”


Study: Fukushima airborne plumes “caused significant deposition of radioactivity over North America” — Especially for West Coast and eastern U.S. — Around 13% of all radioactive iodine released into atmosphere was deposited over USA and Canada (MAP)




Radioactive cesium levels “never seen before” at Fukushima — New record as amount in groundwater nearly doubles in 24 hours — Officials admit ‘may be new leak’ — IAEA urges ‘resumption’ of dumping contaminated water in ocean; ‘All options’ need to be on table (VIDEO)




2/13/14.....


Gundersen: New report shows 50 tons of rubble fell in Unit 3 pool, spent fuel is ‘highly damaged’ — Equal to loaded 18-wheeler falling from sky after supersonic explosive shockwave — “Like a knights lance, [mast] fell straight into fuel” (VIDEO)

Green, contaminated water fills bottom of Unit 4 – Removed: Report, photos of destroyed containment vessel interior deleted from website — Reporters: We strongly feel that effort from whole nation is needed to face future at Fukushima (PHOTO)

US Sailors’ Attorney: Fukushima has left an entire generation of young people crippled physically, mentally, and genetically — Nuclear radiation is threatening entire planet (AUDIO)




EU-funded Study: Over 20,000 square miles of Japan potentially contaminated from Fukushima releases — Home to 43 million people (MAP)

Update from NHK: “Record cesium level” in groundwater at Fukushima — 30,000 times higher than nearby well sampled last week — 50 meters from ocean (VIDEO)

Highest cesium levels ever measured from groundwater well at Fukushima — Broke record that had stood since last summer




2/12/14......


Just In: Reporters reveal “blast ruined inside of containment vessel” at Fukushima Unit 4 — Walls ‘destroyed’ — Explosion was ‘believed’ to have been outside reactor (PHOTO)

NPR: Scientists test for Fukushima plutonium being transported in Pacific — Study: Plutonium particles found to have “high environmental mobility” — Expert: Fuel materials may be flowing from plant, “What is actually contained in releases?” (AUDIO)

Newspaper: U.S. scientists worried about Fukushima radioactive plume — Expert: West Coast our top priority, even over Japan — Alaska Hunter: “We are concerned about our health” — Senator: Testing necessary, but money ‘tight’

‘Massive cracks’ found at Fukushima plant; 2,100 Bq/liter of strontium-90 detected from snow blanketing area — Asahi: Cracks up to 40 feet in concrete near tanks of radioactive waste



2/11/14.....


Gov’t: Radiation levels too high in Unit 4; Coming from small pieces of Cobalt-60? Workers forced to cover floor with lead — Experts: ‘Significant loss of leaktightness’ possible in Fukushima fuel pools

Seismologist: Could easily have M6 quake below Fukushima plant with “very destructive” result — Professor: There’s no way to stabilize fuel pool against strong quake (AUDIO)

Top U.S. Nuclear Official in Fukushima: We won’t know if molten fuel burned into earth until we get a device inside to look — Expert: All 3 reactor cores may have melted down into groundwater (VIDEO)

Japan TV: “And now concerns are growing… a new source of leakage” at Fukushima; “The situation could become even more serious” — Groundwater Expert: “I doubt even experts could have imagined” this (VIDEO)





2/10/14......



Science Mag: Radioactive substances that wash up on beaches can enter water supply — Particles left on sand after high tide accumulate; ‘Important’ process with Fukushima releases?

BBC: Scientist surprised at how much higher radiation levels are in some parts of ocean from Fukushima, it’s a ‘mystery’ — KPBS: Fukushima radiation is just going to become ‘a way of life’ for us” — California Professor: It’s certainly going to be in the environment, it just doesn’t go away (AUDIO)

“Fukushima radiation data is wildly wrong” — Finds groundwater close to ocean nearly 170,000 times legal limit for strontium-90 — “Fearing similar under-estimates” many more results yet to be revealed

Gov’t experts warn about mass of corium melting deeper than Japan, Tepco claim — Fukushima cores “could be eroded more extensively than announced” — ‘Very significant’ differences




2/9/14......


TV: Fukushima underground dam not working, radiation levels now exceeding gov’t limit near shore — Tepco Official: “The flow of contaminated water into ocean is causing problems… It’s quite difficult to stop” (VIDEO)




Gov’t Experts: It was Reactor 2 explosion that released plutonium from Fukushima plant; Highest levels found over 20 km away — ABC Radio: Professor on TV said “32 grams of plutonium could be ingested with food without danger of death” (AUDIO)

French gov’t map shows ‘maximum’ radiation directly over Hawaii on March 21, 2011 — Highest levels of anywhere in world, including Fukushima (GRAPHIC)



Japan Nuclear Experts: Footage shows ‘major problem’ at Fukushima Unit 1; Cesium release to continue for next 5 decades — Tepco: Even if we knew where it’s broken, how can we stop it? — “Still in the dark” about other 2 units (VIDEO)

Professor: U.S. personnel destroyed thousands of documents to prepare for evacuation of Japan after 3/11 — Bloomberg: “Near-Chernobyl experience” for Tokyo even though 200+ kilometers from Fukushima

‘Extensive’ plume of Fukushima radiation almost due north of Honolulu in May 2013; Cesium of 8 Bq/m³ found — Japan Musicians: Very important for Hawaii to do tests; “The world should know what’s going on in the Pacific” (VIDEO)

TV: Hawaii Senators introduce bill to require Fukushima radiation monitoring for at least next 5 years — Nuclear engineer concerned, wants to ensure people are safe — Official: “The fact we can detect it throws fear into individuals” (VIDEO)

Leaders on West Coast: Gov’t is “highly irresponsible… very negligent” for not testing in Pacific as Fukushima radiation arrives — Contamination of seafood is going to happen — “We don’t want to get cancer… We have a right to know if our fish is safe” — Gov’t: Testing ‘not required’

NBC News: Two Quakes Strike Fukushima — Kyodo: Quakes jolt Fukushima Prefecture






Fukushima Diary.......

2/12/14......



12m and 8m long cracks on concrete base of 2 tank areas / Tepco doesn’t mention the possibility of land subsidence

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2 of the long cracks were found on the base concrete of the tank areas.
Those cracks are 12m and 8m long, found in 2 tank areas. Those tank areas are next to each other.

The concrete base is to stop leaked contaminated water leak to the ground. Tepco removed the soil around the tank areas for the possible past leakage of contaminated water.
There is a possibility that land subsidence caused the long cracks, but Tepco didn’t mention the possibility and only announced they will cover the concrete base with urethane coating.



[Wrong analysis for 2.5 years] Tepco “All the radiation analysts were outsourced staff. No Tepco employee in Lab.”

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Following up this article.. Tepco “Radiation analysis team mostly consists of outsourced staff” [URL]

All the analysts were outsourced staff, Tepco stated in the press conference of 2/12/2014.
60 staff are actually working in 4 laboratories, according to Tepco. However, none of Tepco employees are working there even as a supervisor.

As a guideline, high level of contaminated water was supposed to be diluted to avoid out-scale of the measurement instruments. However the way of diluting samples differed from analysts.

It revealed the fact that even the contamination data, which is the most important thing to understand the accident level, is not properly managed to collect.
Fukushima decommissioning doesn’t seem to be supervised by neither Tepco nor Japanese government.



[6,000 Bq/Kg of Pu-238/Am-241] Tepco “Same stuff as packing material used in Fukushima plant”

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Following up this article.. 7,300,000,000 Bq/Kg of Cs-134/137 and 6,000 Bq/Kg of Pu-238/Am-241measured from the “hot” substance found in Naraha [URL]

3 of 4 pieces of the substance can be the packing material that is frequently used in Fukushima plant, according to Tepco.
The spokesman commented in the press conference of 2/12/2014.

It’s stated that the radiation level is similar to reactor3 debris though Co-60 density is significantly higher than reactor3 debris. However, 3 of 4 the pieces are polyethylene and polyolefin polymer, which are the same as the packing material, not the building material.
The other piece of the substance is wood, which they haven’t identified the origin either.



7,300,000,000 Bq/Kg of Cs-134/137 and 6,000 Bq/Kg of Pu-238/Am-241 measured from the “hot” substance found in Naraha

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Following up this article..[Possible blasted substance]12 mSv/h of γ&β surveyed on the surface, “Tepco doesn’t announce α dose for some reason” [URL]

Extremely high level of Cs-134/137, and Plutonium-238/239/240 were detected from the substance found in Naraha-machi.

Tepco outsourced JAEA (Japan Atomic Energy Agency) to analyze the 4 pieces of the material. Tepco announced the result on 2/12/2014.
The result showed that the Cesium-134/137 density was from 275,362,319 Bq/Kg to 7,300,000,000 Bq/Kg, which is extremely high.
Also, Plutonium-238/239/240/Am-241, Cm-242 and Cm-244 were detected from all of the 4 substances. The highest reading of Pu-239/240 was 1,675 Bq/Kg.
The highest reading of Pu-238/Am-241 was 6,000 Bq/Kg, the one of Cm-242 was 1,200 Bq/Kg and also the one of Cm-244 was 750 Bq/Kg. (*)

According to Tepco, this is the similar level of debris around reactor3 though the density of Co-60 is 100 ~ 10,000 times higher than reactor3 debris.
Having measured the extremely high level of radionuclide including Plutonium, Tepco concluded the substance originated from Fukushima nuclear plant.

* : The density was converted from per sample to per Kg based on the weighs of each sample by Fukushima Diary.




2/10/14......




Tepco knew the wrong analysis of Strontium-90 by 10/2/2013 | 6 days before NRA sent inspectors

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Following up this article.. Tepco “Analysis data is checked by someone in charge before publishing” [URL]

Tepco actually found the fact that they had been analyzing Strontium-90 in the wrong manner out on 10/2/2013. Tepco stated in the press conference of 2/10/2014.
However they didn’t announce that until last week.

NRA (Nuclear Regulation Authority) realized the randomness in Tepco’s measurement result by August. They sent the inspectors to the laboratory of Tepco on 10/8/2013, but they didn’t find anything to prove that Tepco has been analyzing in the wrong matter because Tepco changed it 6 days before.
It is not clear if Tepco intentionally covered up their wrong analysis before NRA came.
There is a possibility that the actual accident evaluation will be raised from now as Tepco gradually reveals the facts that they have been concealing since 311.



INES classification of Fukushima accident may increase from Level 7 + 3 due to the revelation of wrong analysis

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Following up this article..[Level.7 Plus] Nuclear Regulation Authority classified H4 tank area leakage as INES Level.3 [URL]

INES (International Nuclear and Radiological Event Scale) classification about Fukushima accident may be raised from Level. 7 +3.
Having experienced 300m3 of leakage from a tank area, NRA (Nuclear Regulation Authority) classified the accident as INES Level.3 adding to the original Level.7 with the approval of IAEA.

However last week Tepco admitted Strontium-90 analysis had been wrong from 311 to October of 2013. (cf, Tepco “Analysis data is checked by someone in charge before publishing” [URL 2]) Especially the highly contaminated samples were mis-analyzed and the readings were underestimated.
Currently Tepco hasn’t even announced when they complete the correction of the past analysis, but if the contamination density of leaked water is increased after the correction, it may even increase the classification from Level 7 + 3.


Tepco “Radiation analysis team mostly consists of outsourced staff”

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Following up this article.. Tepco knew the wrong analysis of Strontium-90 by 10/2/2013 | 6 days before NRA sent inspectors [URL]

Tepco stated the radiation analysis team mostly consists of outsourced staff, in the press conference of 2/10/2014.
There are 4 laboratories in Fukushima plant. 30 workers are to analyze in each lab, however the analysis process is outsourced by Tepco.

The wrong analysis that continued for 2.5 years is from one of the possible simplest mistakes. It proves that Tepco is incapable of supervising all the outsourced companies for Fukushima decommissioning.

Tepco’s spokesman didn’t comment how many of the 30 workers are outsourced staff, but one of the journalists in press conference commented all the members were the outsourced staff when he visited the lab before. None of the responsible Tepco employee was supervising the analysis.




Tepco “Analysis data is checked by someone in charge to see if it’s publishable”

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Following up this article.. Tepco been mis-analyzing Strontium-90 in contaminated water and seawater for 2.5 years since 311 [URL]

The analysis data of Strontium-90 are not straightly announced to public, according to Tepco.
Last week, Tepco finally admitted their Strontium-90 analysis was wrong, and released some of the data that have been concealed for over 6 months.
However, still none of the recent data is published. Since last June, approx only a few tens of Strontium-90 data have been published.

Strontium-90 analysis is known to take 1 month, but they haven’t announced for way over 1 month.
As to the reason, Tepco’s spokesman commented they take time to “check” the analysis data, in the press conference of 2/10/2014.
They state the manager of radiation measurement department of Fukushima headquarters checks “if it’s credible enough to publish”. The manager is supposed to send the report to the headquarters in Tokyo for approval.
There is a possibility that Tepco censors the raw analysis data before release.




2/09/14........




[Video] Disfigured fuel assembly of reactor4 pool



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Following up this article.. 3 cracks found in a channel box of reactor4 pool fuel / Tepco “since 1982″ → Cracks not even rusted [URL]

On 1/30/2014, Tepco released 5 videos of their investigating the disfigured fuel assembly in SFP4.
They state the assembly was damaged in 1982, not due to the recent fuel removing operation in the pool.








Malignant and possible malignant thyroid tumor of Fukushima children increased from 58 to 75 cases

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Following up this article.. [Breaking] Malignant thyroid tumor of Fukushima children spiked from 43 to 58 cases [URL]

This Autumn, Fukushima prefectural government reported about 58 malignant and possible malignant thyroid tumor cases of the children (1 case was benign nodule).

According to their latest report published on 2/7/2014, the malignant and possible malignant cases increased 75 cases (↑ 17 cases).
There are only 2 months interval from the last report again.
34 children have already had surgery, and 32 of them were papillary cancer.

Among 75 cases, female cases were 47, where male cases were 28. Female tumor rate is 68% higher than male.




Tepco been mis-analyzing Strontium-90 in contaminated water and seawater for 2.5 years since 311

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Related to this article.. 5,000,000,000 Bq/m3 of Strontium-90 measured from groundwater last July / Tepco not announced for half a year [URL]

On 2/8/2014, Tepco finally admitted that they mis-analyzed all the samples for Strontium-90 from 311 to October of 2013.
Fukushima Diary has been warning of the possible error about their radiation measurement since last August. (cf, NRA “Tepco’s nuclide analysis may have a significant error” [URL])

Tepco states it is because the sensor of measurement instruments can’t detect all the radiation when the sample is too contaminated. They comment that the error of the readings become bigger when Strontium-90 density is over a few 100,000 Bq/L. It means especially the highly contaminated groundwater and seawater samples were underestimated.

Importantly, Tepco said it might not be only Strontium-90, but also Cesium-134/137 analysis might be wrong.
Tepco is going to re-analyze the past samples but most of the old ones are already abandoned. Also, the number of samples to re-analyze is enormous. They can’t even estimate when they complete the re-analysis.

One month ago, Fukushima Diary wrote the potential effect of the un-admitted mis-measurement of Tepco. (cf, [Column] Will Tepco admit their mistake in radiation analysis ? [URL]) We need to upgrade our recognition about Fukushima situation and sea contamination. It is worse then reported ever.




Multiple nuclide removing system can’t filter 4 sorts of radionuclide

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On 2/5/2014, NRA (Nuclear Regulation Authority) announced the multiple nuclide removing system, ALPS (Advanced Liquid Processing System) can’t filter out 4 kinds of radionuclide.

Tepco and the government of Japan are expecting ALPS to remove 62 of the major nuclides from contaminated water, and discharge it to the sea. (Tritium still remains in the water.)
The specific names of those unfilter-able nuclides are not announced. Tepco is trying to add further absorption parts in the system.

Since they had ALPS in test operation in March of 2013, the system has never been in the full operation.





Simply Info......





TEPCO Admits Most Radiation Readings May Be Wrong

TEPCO Admits Most Radiation Readings May Be Wrong
TEPCO has admitted a large number of their radiation readings taken since 2011 may be wrong and much lower than reality. An audit will be performed on old data from 2011 until October 2013. TEPCO called the audit “massive”. Their explanation is that high radiation samples had a “counting miss” where the total level of radiation in the sample is not accurately recorded. Some media reports questioned TEPCO’s excuse. We have not seen NRA’s view of … Read entire article »



5 MILLION bq/liter Strontium 90 Found In Well At Fukushima Daiichi

5 MILLION bq/liter Strontium 90 Found In Well At Fukushima Daiichi
TEPCO released readings for two seafront wells that have not been published before. Wells 1-2 and 1-3 were not on any older reports from before January.These are the first strontium 90 readings for these wells. The strontium 90  reading for well 1-2 was 5,000,000 bq/liter dated July 5, 2013. The “all beta” reading for the same date was actually lower … Read entire article »












Fukushima Unit 3 Spent Fuel Pool Debris Removal Update

Fukushima Unit 3 Spent Fuel Pool Debris Removal Update
METI has reported some progress and a plan for removing debris out of the unit 3 spent fuel pool. Initial work already in progress includes removal of the steel pool cover and then any rebar than can easily be removed, this work is already underway. Then work will progress in this order: 1.(④, ⑤, ⑥, ⑦) removal mast , roof truss … Read entire article »













Fukushima Unit 3 Equipment Hatch Damaged

Fukushima Unit 3 Equipment Hatch Damaged
The upper floors of the equipment hatch at unit 3 were found to have some damage on a recent inspection. METI’s report estimates a 50% reduction in seismic resistance in this area. They did not indicate that this would change the plan for installation of the defueling cover but this area currently is planned to be in use for that … Read entire article »














Fukushima Fuel Inventory Update; February 4, 2014

Fukushima Fuel Inventory Update; February 4, 2014
The cask storage facility at the seafront is now completely empty, all casks have been moved. This building will likely no longer be used. The common pool is now 82.5% full with 5643 fuel assemblies stored in the pool. Temporary cask storage is 43.5% full with 1274 fuel assemblies stored there. Unit 4 is down to 1401 assemblies remaining in the pool. http://www.meti.go.jp/earthquake/nuclear/pdf/131226/131226_01dd.pdf This article … Read entire article »











New Fuel Damage Found At Fukushima Unit 4

New Fuel Damage Found At Fukushima Unit 4
TEPCO did inspections on a damaged fuel assembly in the unit 4 spent fuel pool. The series of videos showed extensive damage. Photos and videos below. TEPCO does not indicate where within the pool this assembly was selected from. http://photo.tepco.co.jp/date/2014/201401-j/140130-01j.html TEPCO recently released 5 videos of the condition of fuel assemblies which were transferred to the common pool. Each of the videos … Read entire article »











TEPCO Tries To Sell Failed Bypass System Again

TEPCO Tries To Sell Failed Bypass System Again
In an unexplained change of plans TEPCO and the Japanese govt. are back to trying to sell the fishing groups and the public on their plan to use a failed water bypass system. In late 2013 IRID directed TEPCO and the Japanese govt to begin work on a wide scale bypass project that would create diversion wells far outside the plant … Read entire article »










264 Fuel Assemblies Removed At Fukushima Unit 4

264 Fuel Assemblies Removed At Fukushima Unit 4
264 fuel assemblies have been removed to the common pool from unit 4. http://www.tepco.co.jp/en/nu/fukushima-np/removal4u/index-e.html This article would not be possible without the extensive efforts of the SimplyInfo research team Join the conversation at chat.simplyinfo.org All content is copyright SimplyInfo.org. If you are viewing this content on any website other than www.simplyinfo.org it may be plagiarized, please let us know. If you wish to … Read entire article »

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