Workers have been temporarily evacuated from Japan’s troubled nuclear plant, after dark smoke was seen coming from one of its reactors.
Officials said Monday that no increase in radiation levels has been detected and they are still trying to determine the cause of the smoke.
The new threat at the Fukushima nuclear plant came as heavy rain pounded northeastern Japan’s earthquake-stricken regions, prompting increased fears about radiation. Restrictions on the sale of certain foods contaminated by the radiation were expanded.
CNN reported smoke from two reactors:
Tokyo (CNN) — Smoke spewed Monday from two adjacent reactors in the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, a nuclear safety official said, setbacks that came despite fervent efforts to prevent the further release of radioactive materials at the stricken facility.
After 6 p.m., white smoke was seen emanating from the facility’s No. 2 reactor, according to Hidehiko Nishiyama, an official with Japan’s Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency. About two hours earlier, workers were evacuated from the area around the No. 3 reactor after gray smoke began to rise from the wreckage of its steel-and-concrete housing, which was blown apart by a hydrogen explosion last week.
The No. 3 reactor has been the top priority for authorities trying to contain damage to the plant and stave off a possible meltdown. Its fuel includes a small percentage of plutonium mixed with the uranium in its fuel rods, which experts say could cause more harm than regular uranium fuels in the event of a meltdown.
A plant spokesman says some workers were temporarily evacuated from the complex after grey smoke was seen rising from the No 3 reactor.
Reports said the smoke appeared to have come from a pool where the reactor’s spent fuel rods are kept.
Radiation levels did not appear to have risen significantly though after the smoke was spotted, Japan’s nuclear safety agency said.
White smoke was later seen rising from the No 2 reactor, the agency said.
> Radiation levels did not appear to have risen significantly though after the smoke was spotted, Japan’s nuclear safety agency said.
Someone needs to compile all of these daily, vague reassurances that all is well and compare them to the reality that follows. It would make for a grimly amusing read.
The Guardian and Monbiot join the nuke apologists:
* http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2011/mar/20/observer-editorial-nuclear-power-japan
* http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/georgemonbiot/2011/mar/16/japan-nuclear-crisis-atomic-energy – claims that Chernobyl responsible for 43 deaths. WTF?