Three workers treated for radiation sickness after explosion in reactor building

[jpak]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1365536/Japan-earthquake-tsunami-Thousands-undergo-radioactive-screening-explosion.html?ito=feeds-newsxml

<snip>

Authorities have said they were preparing to distribute iodine to people living near affected nuclear power plants.

Iodine can be used to help protect the body from radioactive exposure.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said it had been informed of the explosion and that it was 'assessing the condition of the reactor core'.

The exclusion zone around the Fukushima plant was originally set at six miles, but was expanded on expert advice.

<more>

If they truly have radiation sickness - radation levels within the plant must be seriously high

yup

[uppityperson]

1. From bbc blog/reuters...

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-12307698
2145: Reuters: The number of people exposed to radiation near Fukushima No. 1 nuclear plant could reach 160, an official from the Japan Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency has said. Nine people have shown signs of possible exposure.

[RandomThoughts]

2. To be honest, a controlled nuclear reaction.

like inside a power plant can be stopped by dropping some type of rod into the water to stop the reaction and absorb not react like a fuel rod does. And reactors have rods above the pools to drop in to cold stop a reactor.

So I really don't believe the news about an earthquake causing that, since any reactor could be built where they could drop in the part that stops a reaction.

If the core heats up but is not damaged, just pull out the rods, or drop in the dampening rods, and the radiation chain reaction does not emit.

I actually don't believe the news stories around that topic.

[LonePirate]

3. Any bets as to how the Japanese government treats its first responders?

I have a feeling it will be significantly better than how we have historically treated ours.

[jpak]

4. It indicates that there are some heroic efforts being made to secure these reactors

and the situation is desperate.

yup