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Japan suspends work at stricken nuclear plant

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Re: Japan suspends work at stricken nuclear plant

#22
post #20
post #3

Nikkei and CNN both reported that 50 employees stayed behind out of 800, with CNN quoting someone as saying that they should be considered heroes for doing so (couldn't agree more). If you click CNN's "breaking" on this topic, the article actually still says that. This is certainly a much more serious development. Edit: Anderson Cooper called this "hard to believe" on-air, and he's being careful about how to word it.…

That was yesterdays news. Those ~50 remaining all evacuated apparently. Also, the Wikipedia "Timeline of Fukushima nuclear accidents" has been reliable for the latest updates - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Fukushima_nucle...

[deleted]

Re: Japan suspends work at stricken nuclear plant

#23
post #3

Nikkei and CNN both reported that 50 employees stayed behind out of 800, with CNN quoting someone as saying that they should be considered heroes for doing so (couldn't agree more). If you click CNN's "breaking" on this topic, the article actually still says that. This is certainly a much more serious development. Edit: Anderson Cooper called this "hard to believe" on-air, and he's being careful about how to word it.…

I updated the title of the submission, thanks.

Re: Japan suspends work at stricken nuclear plant

#24
post #3

Nikkei and CNN both reported that 50 employees stayed behind out of 800, with CNN quoting someone as saying that they should be considered heroes for doing so (couldn't agree more). If you click CNN's "breaking" on this topic, the article actually still says that. This is certainly a much more serious development. Edit: Anderson Cooper called this "hard to believe" on-air, and he's being careful about how to word it.…

They stayed behind because the Prime Minister screamed at the executives to make it happen.

Conjuring the language of war, Mr Kan is reported as saying: "Retreat is unthinkable."

Re: Japan suspends work at stricken nuclear plant

#25

(Sorry in advance if this is a stupid question or I didn't pick up on a major point) Can anyone explain how they're going to stop whatever is going wrong without any workers there?

I've read news reports that they were thinking about helicopter drops of water and/or boric acid.

Re: Japan suspends work at stricken nuclear plant

#26
post #6
post #4

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The entire article didn't mention any kind of expectation for resuming operations, and you are doubting the Associated Press here, not Gizmodo. Can you cite the rest? So far, I can only find this AP story.

BBC reports a suspension http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-12755739

BBC also reported 1,000 mSv measured at the plant. Pretty sure they got that wrong too.

Re: Japan suspends work at stricken nuclear plant

#28
post #21

[deleted]

I accidently down voted you :(

But, in answer to your question, it is practically impossible and impractical. Even if you were able to design a radiation proof bunker, you would have to account for the eventual removal of those occupants.

And that is just one of the enormous obstacles. Frankly, it's just not that simple.

Re: Japan suspends work at stricken nuclear plant

#29

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Kyodo News reported that staff had vacated the control room due to high levels of radioactivity. If that is not "abandoning" then it is pretty close to it. http://news.blogs.cnn.com/2011/03/15/japan-quake-live-blog-f... (scroll down or search for "control" in the postings)

The problem people seem to have is that "abandon" implies "everyone has left and no-one will ever come back", and that the plant will be left, unattended, to its fate. While various articles seem to actually be saying "people left temporarily, but will be coming back" and that efforts will continue to deal with the problem.

I'd argue that is splitting hairs. What will magically lower the radiation when the workers leave?

They can't drop boric acid and water on the half-melted reactors from helicopters for fear of rupturing them further, the control systems are no longer effective, and pumping in seawater hasn't worked too well so far.

Re: Japan suspends work at stricken nuclear plant

#30
post #26
post #6

Earlier quoted context omitted.

BBC reports a suspension http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-12755739

BBC also reported 1,000 mSv measured at the plant. Pretty sure they got that wrong too.

The AP reported that figure as well in the linked article.
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