Radiation Spread Seen; Frantic Repairs Go On

[oberliner]

Source: NY Times

WASHINGTON — The first readings from American data-collection flights over the stricken Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant in northeastern Japan show that the worst contamination has not spread beyond the 19-mile range of highest concern established by Japanese authorities.

But another day of frantic efforts to cool nuclear fuel in the stricken reactors and the plant’s spent-fuel pools resulted in little or no progress, according to United States government officials.

Japanese officials said they would continue those efforts, but were also racing to restore electric power to the site to get equipment going again, leaving open the question of why that effort did not begin days ago, at the first signs that the critical backup cooling systems for the reactors had failed.

Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/18/world/asia/18intel.html

[defendandprotect]

1. Just saw a news article that this might take "weeks" -- !!

[jtuck004]

2. What were the readings? eom

[nc4bo]

4. There's been even more silence since the U.S. became involved

or could just be my perception of things.

Has anyone even heard any figures from the Japanese officials today?

[cui bono]

6. On the other hand, the US says things are worse than what Japan officials say.

Not that I trust any officials in this sort of situation.

But US says to evacuate if you are withing 50 miles of the plant where as Japan - last I heard hours ago - still is only evacuating up to something like 12 miles and up to 19 miles should stay indoors.

And I heard that US says water may be completely gone from reactor #4 but Japan says no.

[daleo]

3. Pretty vague

It makes sense that "the worst" contamination would travel the least distance, and thus whatever spreads farther is less than "the worst". But we need numbers, not vague commentary, to judge the situation. It makes you wonder what the real story is.

[eggplant]

5. OF COURSE the worst is in a circle around the reactors.

Where else would it be?

The real question is "how bad is it"?

[NMDemDist2]

7. +1 n/t