Hydrogen blast occurs at Fukushima plant's No. 3 reactor: agency

[nadinbrzezinski]

TOKYO — The operator of a Japanese nuclear power plant where a reactor's containment building exploded says radiation levels at the unit are within legal limits.
Tokyo Electric Power Co. says radiation levels at Unit 3 of the stricken Fukushima Dai-Ichi plant were 10.65 microsieverts Monday, significantly under the 500 microsieverts at which a nuclear operator is legally bound to file a report to the government.

There was a hydrogen explosion at the unit earlier in the day.

Officials have been racing to stave off multiple reactor meltdowns after a devastating quake and tsunami incapacitated the Fukushima plant.

More than 180,000 people have evacuated the area, and up to 160 may have been exposed to radiation.

http://english.kyodonews.jp/news/2011/03/77627.html

Radiation is at safe levels, gist of report

[pissedoffhippie]

1. nuclear plants a problem

Nuclear power plants require large amounts of cooling water and if the flow is interrupted, this becomes a problem almost immediately.

Even if the nuclear plants are running smoothly, the amount of waste heat is enormous and this heats the water in the vicinity of the plant, causing damage to the ecosystem.

[KharmaTrain]

2. The Brain Drain...

Earlier I heard some "expert" say that "one day we'll look back and marvel how the scientists dealt with this". I found that a bit of whistling past the graveyard as things continue to develop here. I'm not hearing of reactors cooling...just stabilizing...but considering the scope of the situation I guess that's the best to expect.

My concern is the fatigue the multiple failures is having on those who really understand these reactors. You figure there is help being flown in but it sounds like the situation has overwhelmed. No...I'm not into the panic and doom and gloom scenario but I do have concerns about the stress being put on the chosen few who may be able to keep this disaster contained.

[Name removed]

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