Reply #8: Seems like it must be hard to retain workers

[Generic Other]

People with families may exert enormous pressure on loved ones to stay away for the reactors. I know I wouldn't want my family members risking their lives in this manner.

I am surprised there are not more international teams of clean-up and containment experts. The only thing I can figure is that the nuclear industry has no emergency back-up.

A worker at Hanford told me that at one of the first reactors (Oak Ridge), they described emergency procedures in the old days: there was a rope tied around the fuel rods and an ax to cut the reactors in case of an emergency. While I am sure this is an inside joke, I am not sure things are much better in terms of safety today.

So frustrating. How soon will Japan run out of trained technicians who can safely enter the area? As they reach their maximum doses, they will not be able to continue working. Where will the reinforcements come from? All the proponents of nuclear power that keep minimizing the situation? HA!