The Earthquake Check In thread

Further to what I said before, it seems that the Health Ministry allowed the radiation limit to which the 'Fukushima 50' can be exposed to be raised from 100 to 250 mSv. Therefore, the claims that they were exposed to 40-50 rem before are questionable. I believe the highest level recorded in the plant is 400 mSv/hr.

Regardless of the technical details, I'm sure we can all agree that these workers are extremely brave, as were those who fought the fires and built the sarcophagus at Chernobyl. Conversely, it seems that Tepco is taking a lot of criticism, particularly from locals, due to their way of handling the situation - particularly their lack of clear communication with the public or press. Not surprising from a company who have in the past used the Mr. Burns method of running a nuclear facility - sweeping issues under the carpet and attempting to obstruct safety inspections.

France mainly uses PWRs. I don't think they ever had a BWR. Germany has a few, but is mainly PWR powered. Actually, the first fatality at a nuclear power station was at a German BWR. The UK doesn't have any BWRs in power stations, mostly using AGRs, with the last couple of Magnox stations due for decommission very soon. There are comparitively few BWRs in Europe - Sweden would be our major user, followed by Germany... so Germany should know what they're talking about! The US and Japan are the biggest users, though.

Let's not be too hasty to judge France, though. Yes, they have used nuclear power a lot - particularly weapons. Yes, they've had incidents. However, they're starting the new sarcophagus build at Chernobyl.... so let's hope they know their onions!

I can understand Japan turning to the US' nuclear technicians for assistance, but there's still a bit of irony that they would turn to the US military for support averting a nuclear disaster in Japan! I guess it's the least they can do.... especially considering the lack of remorse from the Enola Gay crew members who survived into this century.

Incidentally, how strict are Japan usually on importation of foodstuffs? I know Australia are super strict. If they're similar, what happens to aid packages? Do they still need clearance?

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J3TM9GL2iLI&feature=player_embedded#at=80

Don't watch if you can't stand to have your heart ripped apart right now. We humans aren't the only ones who are suffering.

(Completely SFW)

 

I've been (awake) in the US for about 20 minutes. Firs thing I see on CNN is a display on what would happen if the cloud came to the west coast. Give me a fucking break, western media. What a joke.

 

Even the more liberal media (NPR in this case) isn't doing too much better. They did have Japanese-Americans call in and report what they know as per whereabouts of their relatives in Japan. Somehow they had someone get to a High School Gymnasium where there was no power, no phones and no internet to do a story about an elderly woman who couldn't get in contact with any of her relatives due to the isolation.

We can hear from her from within the US but the reporter didn't bother to help see if she could find out about her family? The fuck is wrong with you?

Plus it seems to be big news that Yoko Ono found her parents alive and well but hasn't her from her grandparents who were near the ocean in Sendai. Hooray celebrities (not that they don't have feelings too).

 

I concur, here in Canada people on the West coast are scrambling to buy Geiger counters and iodide tablets/liquid, mostly due to the persistent fear, catastrophe and doom policy of most western media outlets...

 

The workers and engeneers trying to contain the disaster are simpli heroes. In today's world I cannot think of a more selfless action for a human being than the one these people are carrying out. Sacrificing a few lives for the benefit of millions of people may be a very straightforward rationale in terms of social gain; but taking it a step forward and actually BE in the reactor, knowing that radiation is hitting you, must be a terrible thing for the mind of these people.

The heroism these people are showing is even greater when you think about the effects of radiation on the human body. Even considering that they might survive the whole operation, their prospects for a future life are bleak (to use an euphemism). High chances of getting cancer, and going through a painfull stance of sickness that will ultimately lead to their deaths.
I can only admire them for what they are doing. Not many people would step in in a moment like that.

 

American media= make money (IE Ratings) on the suffering of others

 

but.. but.. americans need to know what it would be like if something that isn't going to happen where to happen tomorrow. OMG We're all gonna die!!! :-(

=P Canadian media isn't much better but at least last night on CBC's The national they had a nuclear physicist on who said it's a stupid fear that poses no risk.

 

I think that applies not just to American media....
You should have heard the things journalists said here about the nuclear reactors this morning.


Not to mention other international catastrophic events, like 9-11 Hurricane Katrina and the 2004 Tsunami....

My theory is that there are groups of journalists who revel in human misery and sell it too; and that networks just keep them because they're "good for business" (note the use of "" in that sentence...)

Back to topic; are there any news from our members from Sendai?

 

our media is too in bed with the government and therefore they like to sell crap like the geiger counters and pills

 

It's all about ratings. Ever since the advent of CNN television news is expected to turn a profit. Before CNN the news divisions were loss leaders for networks. Since that time their integrity has gone to shit. Sensationalism sells far better that facts and requires less time to get on the air so guess what we are going to be fed?

The days of honest news is long gone...

 

Reminds me of the movie 'Network'.

 

interesting video mashup of japanese stations around time the quake hit, showcasing that NHK was on top of the situation while other networks continued airing whatever junk was already on their station

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eOrAwvJLKxo

 

Now you can see why I say Japanese TV is shit. On the other hand at least they don't try to sensationalize the news like those pricks on American news channels and sadly the UK seems to follow that style over the last few years. Oh fucking doom! We're all going to die. IDIOTS! I saw one report that were talking about the explosion at the reactor but the image they were showing was of the gas plant that exploded so it looked a million times worse! That really pisses me off to no end.

 

The Jap coverage is better than the American and the UK one. When I return to the UK I won't be paying for a licence fee. I am disgusted.

Do people realise that by flying away from Japan to somewhere else, you are exposed to more radiation than you would be if you remained in Tokyo and the reactors exploded?

No.

How about the 10,000+ people presumably dead from the tsunami. That has actually happened. It's so retarded that we are all focussed on what might happen, but what has happened is getting no attention.

 

I think equal coverage is given here - a lot of focus on what has happened as well as lots of focus on what could happen. Immediately relevant to the living is what could happen dont you think? Its horrible but true
Also there have been more earthquakes detected so far today than at the same time yesterday

 

"The UK government is chartering flights from Tokyo to Hong Kong to supplement commercially available options for those wishing to leave Japan."

 

Alot of news websites and papers did that. I cringed when I saw this because I just know that there are alot of idiots who obviously don't know the difference between a nuclear power plant and one that uses fossil fuels. But then again a nice and clear image with sky high flames is alot more sensational than a blurry image of a distant nuclear power plant.

What is even more frustrating to me is how left wing politicians are using the events in Japan as an argument against the current nuclear power plants in Europe. I agree they should find an alternative to nucelar fission, but the truth is there IS no alternative at the moment.

 

here's the easy part: Ignore USA media, period.

 

http://www.mext.go.jp/component/a_m...sFiles/afieldfile/2011/03/17/1303727_05_1.pdf

80- per hour....
id be worried if I had that constant exposure

In comparison this is Chernobyl read down

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chernobyl_disaster

btw new report has fukushima off the list

http://eq.sakura.ne.jp/110315fukushima_2030rev2_en.pdf