Don't let Fukushima nuke disaster devolve into another Battle of Guadalcanal

Mainichi ^ | September 02, 2013 | Takao Yamada

[TigerLikesRooster]

Don't let Fukushima nuke disaster devolve into another Battle of Guadalcanal

Things are going badly. There's radioactive water leaking, and it can't be controlled.

The minister of economy, trade and industry has said that the central government will now "man the front lines" in the war to tame the Fukushima nuclear crisis, but if the workers on-site do not consent to join battle, if they cannot muster the courage to keep up the fight, then we cannot expect real progress. At least, that's the impression I got after talking with one of those workers, an employee of Fukushima No. 1 nuclear plant operator Tokyo Electric Power Co. (TEPCO).

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I've heard the officer in charge of the Self-Defense Forces efforts at the Fukushima plant describe the situation as being "the same as war." In fact, the chaos that has erupted because of the toxic water leaks reminds me of the Imperial Japanese Army's planning in World War II's Battle of Guadalcanal.

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[TigerLikesRooster]

P!

[babygene]

Seems to me this is being overblown... Any radiation they leak into the ocean is kind of like peeing in a lake.

Not nice to think about, but sooo diluted it doesn’t really matter.

[Vendome]

Good analogy. However, South Korea has come to a different conclussion and banned any fish from the region .

[AlexW]

“Any radiation they leak into the ocean is kind of like peeing in a lake.”
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I have been curious about the residual radiation in the Pacific from the disaster. I would think there are much higher natural radioactive elements in any ocean then from Fukushima. Obviously, the immediate area will take many years to become safe for humans.
Can anyone enlighten me?

[babygene]

So how many under water nuclear tests have we done? Short answer... lots.

How is this so different?

[TigerLikesRooster]

1) Fish swim. They move around. 2) Fish caught near Fukushima plant site can be hauled into ports far away from the location. It would be labeled as fish from where it is processed.

Lack of transparency would really hurt Japanese. They are covering up the true extent of the problem. Even Japanese shy away from domestic catches. Won't blame foreigners to do the same.

If one lives in U.S., the argument of drop in the bucket may fly, but not in E. Asia. S. Korean gov acted because public fear recently rose and as a result local fish industry is dying. They don't know if fish is from Japan or not. They want to filter out Japanese fish. It is all due to lax inspection of Japanese fish and ongoing coverup of real situation at Fukushima plant.

Things are not moving in favorable direction for Japanese. It could be a matter of time before S. Korea bans all marine product from Japan.

[Myrddin]

Bio accumulation. It’s concentrating from plankton up to the sea critters we eat. It is also blowing inland via sea spray and contaminating grass that feeds milk and beef cows. Cs137 is water soluable and concentrates in vital organs in higher animals. The gamma decay is very damaging. Heart muscle is frequently the first fatality. The claim of uniform dispersal is not holding up to observations.

[AlexW]

“So how many under water nuclear tests have we done? Short answer... lots.”
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I know of the Pacific islands (Inewetok) nuke test, but I was not aware that any were in the ocean waters.
As I said, I do not believe that radioactive waters leaking into the sea would have any notable effects beyond x number of miles.
I just now see this interesting read...http://educate-yourself.org/lte/letterfromjapan05dec12.shtml

[Veto!]

I’ve already banned all fish from the Pacific Ocean. Don’t want to glow in the dark.

[headstamp 2]

Except its been leaking for what, 2 years?

There should be an international team working on this. The Japanese can’t handle it.

[Vendome]

Like I said “I agree”.

[bgill]

Cut your little finger off and it’s about the same as taking a pee in the ocean. Problem is, this pee has been going on for two years and there’s no end in sight. So, by now you’ve already gone through all your fingers, toes, ears, nose and are now cutting into your right foot. A pee here and a pee there eventually starts adding up.