I'll be fielding all questions and concerns regarding nuclear power, nuclear safety, and WTF is going on in Japan with their plants. I'll explain in technical or non-technical terms.
Ask away.
Ask away.
Nuclear Power is safe. Fuck you if you disagree.
- Thread starter papajohn56
- Start date
Agreed.
Question: worst case, all nuclear power plants meltdown in japan, what type of radiation would be seen in surrounding areas. (china, korea, possibly western north america, hawaii) Does japan have it under control? (I havent read much of the news because i don't know whats credible, i sure hope there isnt another chernobyl)
Question: worst case, all nuclear power plants meltdown in japan, what type of radiation would be seen in surrounding areas. (china, korea, possibly western north america, hawaii) Does japan have it under control? (I havent read much of the news because i don't know whats credible, i sure hope there isnt another chernobyl)
It will be nowhere near as bad as Chernobyl. Even with one of the reactors being in deep shit, the radiation levels outside the plant area still won't get god awful. To put it in context, the USS Ronald Reagan found that their crew was exposed to minor doses of low level radiation off the coast by the plant - it was less than the amount of a medical X-ray.
Now, does it need to be contained? Yeah. Could it get worse? Yes. Will it be as bad as Chernobyl? No. There's 0 chance of this.
Is it worse than Three Mile Island? Yes - but NOTHING happened at TMI. Here's a few quotes on TMI:
"According to the official radiation release figures, average local radiation exposure was equivalent to a chest X-ray, and maximum local exposure equivalent to less than a year's background radiation. Local activism based on anecdotal reports of negative health effects led to scientific studies being commission ed. A variety of studies have been unable to conclude that the accident had substantial health effects"
The other reactor still operates today at TMI.
If every single plant in Japan melted down, with huge radiation leaks, it'd be a massive problem. This won't happen. Right now it's 1 plant that's a problem, 3 reactors I believe. Under control? No idea, there's some trouble, and over time the fuel rods will cool. The main thing is making sure the containment vessels stay in tact, as well as the spent fuel pools.
It won't be another Chernobyl - reactor design and how this works prohibits that from really happening.
You're assuming there will be fallout. Radiation levels might rise temporarily but this isn't necessarily indicative of fallout.
Core would need to be exposed outside of containment, and it would have to have an explosion to spread it. The reactors are melting down right now, but that doesn't mean fallout.
Melting down just means the fuel rods have been exposed outside of the water medium, and are literally melting, and will be contained.
Nuclear Power is the devil...but I digress.
Seriously, I live 15 minutes south of the San Onofre nuclear power plant here in southern california, and I drove by the damn thing every day for 14 years. Never once did I worry about my safety living that close. After this Japan problem, I guess it could become a problem in the event of a major natural disaster, but there's probably more to worry about at that point, like not having food, water or shelter.
Seriously, I live 15 minutes south of the San Onofre nuclear power plant here in southern california, and I drove by the damn thing every day for 14 years. Never once did I worry about my safety living that close. After this Japan problem, I guess it could become a problem in the event of a major natural disaster, but there's probably more to worry about at that point, like not having food, water or shelter.
Ok I took a enviro. science class this year and I have this question pertaining to nuclear power.
Building the nuclear plants were expensive. Producing nuclear power is more expensive than coal & the fuel rods have to be watched & secured for many years after use. So why even continue generating electricity via nuclear power plants? (no new nuclear power plants have been built recently to my knowledge)
Building the nuclear plants were expensive. Producing nuclear power is more expensive than coal & the fuel rods have to be watched & secured for many years after use. So why even continue generating electricity via nuclear power plants? (no new nuclear power plants have been built recently to my knowledge)
If anyone is interested what a real nuke engineer says about this stuff look at the quake thread.
http://www.wickedfire.com/shooting-shit/118686-8-8-quake-2.html
There is also a real simple explanation about what exactly is happening here:
Fukushima Nuclear Accident – a simple and accurate explanation « BraveNewClimate
However, do yourself a favor and read the quake thread first.
I've also read that the reactor which is based of an old GE design from the late sixties and was suppose to be shut down in 2-3 months.
Also keep in mind that this plant survived a 9.0 earth quake and a tsunami.
Is this bad? YES!
Is this as bad as the media portrays? NO!
I'm actually amazed but the bbc online stream has some pretty level headed experts on...
http://www.wickedfire.com/shooting-shit/118686-8-8-quake-2.html
There is also a real simple explanation about what exactly is happening here:
Fukushima Nuclear Accident – a simple and accurate explanation « BraveNewClimate
However, do yourself a favor and read the quake thread first.
I've also read that the reactor which is based of an old GE design from the late sixties and was suppose to be shut down in 2-3 months.
Also keep in mind that this plant survived a 9.0 earth quake and a tsunami.
Is this bad? YES!
Is this as bad as the media portrays? NO!
I'm actually amazed but the bbc online stream has some pretty level headed experts on...
I don't know this for sure, but I am willing to bet that the number of casualties/fatalities to the workers in the nuclear industry is WAY less than in the oil and gas drilling/refining industry.
Lots of accidents happen in the oil/natural gas that never make it to mainstream media. But boy oh boy, somebody gets whacked with a bit of radiation and they make CNN.
(Just the other day, Husky had a well blow-out that sent 15 people to the hospital. Didn't even make the local paper, just the electronic oil and gas niche websites)
Lots of accidents happen in the oil/natural gas that never make it to mainstream media. But boy oh boy, somebody gets whacked with a bit of radiation and they make CNN.
(Just the other day, Husky had a well blow-out that sent 15 people to the hospital. Didn't even make the local paper, just the electronic oil and gas niche websites)
Yes, nuclear power is safe when contained. But unless you've been to their plants and personally inspected the level of damage you are just talking out your ass.
