July 27, 2015

Jul 27, 2015 | Fukushima Accident Updates

  • Sendai unit #1 could restart as early as August 10th. On Friday, Kyushu Electric Company submitted an application for restart to the Nuclear Regulation Authority. All fuel bundles have been loaded into the Reactor Pressure Vessel and water level instrumentation has been successfully checked for operability. Today, the plant staff began a prolonged severe accident drill, one of the steps needed to meet pre-operational requirements. The scenario began with a loss of coolant situation due to a simulated pipe rupture, followed by emergency cooling failure. Operator investigation and analysis established a total loss of electrical power. A massive release of radioactivity is to be averted through use of emergency generators and pumps, many of which have been required by the new NRA regulations. NRA Commissioner Toyoshi Fuketa and five agency staff are observing the drill. The exercise is expected to continue until Thursday. http://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/english/news/nuclear.html — http://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/english/news/nuclear.html
  • A 20-ton crane will be removed from unit #3 spent fuel pool. The process is expected to begin later this week. A Tepco spokesperson said, “The debris will be pulled out using two cranes, but we had to create a specially designed hook with a unique shape for it to securely hold on to the object.” The crane fell into the pool as a result of the hydrogen explosion of March 14, 2011. The pool’s water level and area radiation levels will be monitored closely, using multiple cameras and monitors. The removal of the crane will be slow and careful to prevent contact with the SFP gates. All other procedures at F. Daiichi will be suspended while the crane is being lifted. http://blogs.wsj.com/japanrealtime/2015/07/27/fukushima-operator-prepares-to-lift-20-ton-debris-from-fuel-pool/?mod=yahoo_hs
  • Fukushima’s governor asks diplomats to help dispel radiation fears. Gov. Masao Uchibori addressed 40 international representatives in Geneva on July 13th. He asked for everyone to remember the nuke accident and spoke about recovery progress since 3/11/11, saying, “We are faced with the harsh reality that livelihoods prior to the disasters cannot be restored.” He emphasized that consumers continue to be distrustful of Fukushima’s agricultural and fisheries products, despite thorough tests for radioactive substances. Included in the audience were ambassadors of Ireland and Thailand, and other representatives from the Philippines, India and Switzerland. http://www.fukushimaminponews.com/news.html?id=537
  • A Fukushima cattle producer sues Tepco. Ueno Bokujo of Koriyama, near Fukushima City, filed a suit in Fukushima District Court on July 16th, demanding $4 million in compensation for reduced cattle prices and increased manure disposal costs due to the nuke accident. The market for Fukushima-grown beef seems to have been as negatively affected as the market for Fukushima seafood. In addition, decreased sales of manure as fertilizer have also occurred. Bokujo’s herds in Koriyama and Tamura have about 2,900 head of beef cattle. A sudden drop in beef prices in 2014 has cost the owner about $1.6 million. He estimates it will cost him about $16 million to dispose of the 17,000 tons of manure that has accumulated since the market virtually vanished. A Tepco official said, “We will respond sincerely after listening carefully to what the plaintiff has to say in court.” http://ajw.asahi.com/article/0311disaster/fukushima/AJ201507240084
  • (Only because of numerous fear-mongering news stories outside Japan.) Reports of Fukushima daisies having been mutated by Fukushima radiation are unfounded. In May, pictures taken of some daisies near Nasushiobara, Tochigi Prefecture, have gone viral on the internet. The plants show multiple stems, connected flower centers, and unusually-shaped petals. On course, Fukushima-mania in some international Press outlets make a guilt-by-association connection to nuke accident, although the city is about 100km from the nuke station. Radiation levels reported near the flowers are in the 0.5 microsievert per hour range, which is about the natural background level for the location. Botanists and biologists have all agreed that the cause of the unusual, but not uncommon phenomenon is what they term “fasciation”. Fasciation can be caused by a number of insults such as bacteria, viral infection, and/or physical damage. In order for any type of plant mutation to occur, radiation exposures would have to be many, many times greater than what was found in Nasushiobara. Even though this has not been given much attention by the Japanese Press (essentially, one Japanese-American outlet), international reports have emerged. I submit one objective report http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/mutant-daisies-fukushima_55b13010e4b0a9b94853fb7b?, one less-objective article http://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/mutant-daisies-found-near-fukushima-nuclear-disaster-may-have-nothing-to-do-with-radiation-10411188.html , and one fear, uncertainty, and doubt (FUD)-oriented posting http://news.yahoo.com/fukushimas-mutant-daisies-wonder-warning-180707326.html;_ylt=A0LEV1NecLJVn.sAAm9XNyoA;_ylu=X3oDMTEyMWZtdTBqBGNvbG8DYmYxBHBvcwMxBHZ0aWQDQjAwMjhfMQRzZWMDc2M-# as examples.