Nuclear fears increase in Japan
As the nuclear crisis in Japan worsens, and fear of nuclear radiation leaks continues to grow, in the UK a report into the incident has been welcomed, and there have been calls for a re-think of the nuclear industry.
A radiation alert has now been issued surrounding the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, after a third explosion, at reactor two, may have damaged the reactor shell.
Japanese authorities have extended the danger zone further from 20km to 30km. They have urged all those within the 20km zone to evacuate and those living within the 20-30km zones to stay indoors and keep all windows shut.
Prime Minister Naoto Kan addressed the nation, saying: “The possibility of further radioactive leakage is heightening. We are making every effort to prevent the leak from spreading. I know that people are very worried but I would like to ask you to act calmly.”
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) have said radiation dose rates of 400 millisievert per hour, four times the safe limit, were detected at the plant sight. Radiation doses have also been detected at Tokyo, 250km away, but not significant amounts to be a health risk.
The IAEA have agreed to arrange help and expert missions to the area. At a briefing yesterday IAEA Director Genral Yukiya Amano said: “The IAEA can offer support in technical areas such as radiation surveys and environmental sampling, medical support, the recovery of missing or misplaced radioactive sources or advice on emergency response.”
A fire has also been reported at reactor 4 of the facility. The reactor was already shutdown for maintenance prior to the earthquake and subsequent tsunami on Friday. However, a fire broke out at the spent fuel storage pond at the reactor, and is thought to have released radiation.
Japanese authorities have reported the fire has now been extinguished, and the IAEA say they continue to liaise with the authorities and are monitoring the evolving situation.
However, Walt Patterson, Associate Fellow, Energy, Environment and Development Programme at Chatham House, voiced concerns at the weekend over the transparency of the Japanese authorities.
He said: “Japanese nuclear authorities have an unfortunate track record of downplaying or concealing mishaps, making the media and the public less ready to accept official reassurances.
“At the moment, what is known about conditions at Japan's nuclear sites is fragmentary and incomplete, and evolving rapidly…The additional stress on the population in the affected areas, is compounding the drastically severe traumas caused by the earthquake and tsunami.”
In the UK, and across the world, concern is increasing for nuclear power. With many countries announcing postponements to any current decisions for nuclear stations, in the UK Caroline Lucas, leader of the Green Party has welcomed the government’s review.
She said: "We also support the European Green Party's call for an EU-level inquiry into the wider implications of the nuclear accident in Japan. This must assess the safety of nuclear reactors in general, and in earthquake situations in particular, looking at reactors in the EU and neighboring countries.
"Nuclear power carries inherent risks, and is particularly vulnerable to the potentially deadly combination of human error, design failure, and natural disaster.Given that there are cheaper, quicker, and crucially safer, ways of meeting our energy needs and emisson reduction targets, it is particularly perverse here in the UK to launch the building of a fleet of new nuclear power stations.”
Friends of the Earth have also urged for the event to leave a lasting memory, and have pushed for a rethink in the nuclear power case.
Friends of the Earth's Executive Director Andy Atkins said: "The Japanese earthquake and its horrific aftermath have shocked the world and our thoughts are with everyone caught up in this terrible tragedy. The explosions at the Japanese power plant must lead to an urgent rethink of plans to build even more reactors around the world.”
Update
Japanese authorities reported levels of 400 millisieverts per hour radiation dose observed at Fukushima Daiichi occurred between units 3 and 4.
They also report levels of radiation have fallen, since the fire was extinguished at reactor 4. At 00:00 GMT on 15 March a dose rate of 11.9 millisieverts per hour was observed at the main gate of the plant. Six hours later a dose rate had dropped to of 0.6 millisieverts per hour.
The French Nuclear Safety Authroity has rated the Japan nuclear incident at six on an international scale of one to seven.
Image: World Economic Forum | flickr