http://www.vancouverite.com/2011/03/14/japan-asks-u-s-for-help-with-nuke-plant-meltdown-threat/ 
Posted on 03/14/2011 1:45:20 PM PDT by americanophile
Japan has asked the US for help to stop a quake-damaged nuclear reactor plunging into uncontrollable meltdown. The plea comes after a second hydrogen explosion occurred at a nuclear plant where officials warned that three nuclear rods in a cooling-starved reactor appeared to be melting.
Plumes of grey smoke billowed into the air after the blast at the Fukushima Daiichi plant's number 3 unit, injuring 11 people.
Japan's chief cabinet secretary Yukio Edano confirmed the fear of rods melting inside all three of the site's most troubled reactors.
"Although we cannot directly check it, it's highly likely happening," he said.
Officials insist the inner reactor's container remains intact - but concern was raised when number 2 unit's fuel rods were left fully exposed by a falling cooling water level.
Workers managed to raise water levels after a second drop on Monday night, but they began falling for a third time, according to nuclear agency official Naoki Kumagai.
Specialists are now considering spraying water directly on the hermetically-sealed container in an attempt to cool it.
The former deputy director of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) told Sky News that the status of the faulty reactor may deteriorate even more.
"I think the situation is still very, very grim - we are by far not over the worst," Olli Heinonen said.
Harvard-based Mr Heinonen said it is now important for US expertise to be employed to minimise the risk of a catastrophic failure.
"They are the best people to know their (reactors') behaviour, particularly when you go into this phase and assess the consequences."
(Excerpt) Read more at news.sky.com ...
Zero is too busy.....he is on the Golf course...............
Sky News seems to be reporting the grimmest version of events.
To late. The bag of tricks has already been expended. Empty clip. When you are flooding with seawater there is nothing left that is effective.
Obama is too busy designing his NCAA bracket.
Try calling him again tomorrow.
White House: “Call back later, Obama is golfing.”
I’m afraid to call. I may get myslelf in trouble by asking “what’s more important, Obama’s anti-nuclear stance and accepting anything to advance it or saving lives?”
Just be sure to press 1 for English.
You know what you have to do... do it.
Obama, party of none. You have a call in the Pro-Shop. Stop golfing and answer it.
I don’t know. By the looks of the photos I’ve been seeing, and I don’t mean just nuclear plant related picures, it seems pretty grim to me over there. NO reporting necessary. I would not and could not wish that on my worst enemy.
Sorry. Wagyu Monday.
Might be able to squeeze you in next Thursday.
This is major loss of face!
From the ‘experts’ on FR there’s no problem at all, so they shouldn’t need any help at all.
http://www.vancouverite.com/2011/03/14/japan-asks-u-s-for-help-with-nuke-plant-meltdown-threat/
I can’t believe they had to ask. Did we not offer help?
NO reporting necessary.
Lots of reporting necessary. Very complicated things going on down there. Impossible for laymen to know exactly what we’re looking at.
Sorry Thursday is St. Patricks’ Day, and the Pres will be having green beer for the occasion. No time to help Japan.
You ignorant person. Stop trying to spreading panic. This is the NORMAL way you cool a reactor. Everything is going EXACTLY according to plan.
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