Japan: radiation leak fears at nuclear power facilities after quake, tsunami, and strong aftershocks

(Click for large photo: Fukushima nuclear plant in northeastern Japan, in a 2008 file photo – Reuters)

Widespread concerns in Japan over a possible radiation leak at one of the country’s largest nuclear facilities, after the devastating quake and tsunami. The government is warning Japanese citizens of risks, but says the situation is not yet critical.

Speaking at the White House today, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said U.S. Air Force planes are currently delivering “some really important coolant” to the Fukushima Daiichi plant, which is the focus of safety concerns. Thousands of residents near this facility are reported to have been evacuated as a precautionary measure.

The Union of Concerned Scientists has a helpful analysis of the evolving situation here, with much detail on what has failed, and what is working, and what’s being done to maintain safety. “Concern about a serious accident is high enough that while TEPCO is trying to restore cooling the government has evacuated a 3-km (2-mile) radius area around the reactor.”

Related coverage:

• World Nuclear News has a good timeline of events, with technical explanations.

• Reuters: “Scientists say Japan quake shows US nuclear risk”
•
Nuclear Engineering International: “Japan initiates emergency protocol after earthquake”
• Nikkei.com: “Radiation Level Rising In Fukushima Nuclear Plant Turbine Building”
• Mainichi News: “Quake-hit Japan declares nuclear emergency, says no radiation leaks”
• Reuters: “Japan warns of small radiation leak from quake-hit plant”
• Nature.com: “Japan declares nuclear emergency”
• ABC News: Obama’s comments on post-quake Japan nuclear fears
• Yahoo News: “Japan issues atomic energy emergency after earthquake”
• USA Today: “Japan to release radioactive vapor at disabled nuclear reactor”
• New York Times: “Emergency Declared at Japanese Nuclear Plant”
• MSNBC: “2007 Japan quake was a ‘wake-up call’ on nuclear safety”
• CNN.com news wire: “Japan struggling to cool down nuclear reactor, minister says”