Fukushima nuclear accident: Difference between revisions

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#REDIRECT[[Fukushima I Nuclear_Power Plant#2011 earthquake events]]
== 2011 Sendai earthquake and tsunami ==
{{Current disaster|type=section|name=the Fukushima I nuclear incident|event=nuclear event|date=March 2011}}

{{Infobox news event
|title = Fukushima I nuclear incident
|image_name = 2011-03-12 1800 NHK Sōgō channel news program screen shot.jpg
|image_size = 250px
| caption =
| date = {{start date|2011|03|11|df=yes}}
| time = 14:46 ([[Japan Standard Time|JST]] UTC+9)
| place = [[Ōkuma, Fukushima|Ōkuma]] [[Fukushima Prefecture|Fukushima]], [[Japan]]
<!--| coordinates = {{coord|37|25|17|N|141|1|57|E|region:JP_type:landmark|display=inline,title}}-->
|reported injuries = 4 (physical), 3 ([[radiation exposure]])<ref name=BBCLive />{{Failed verification|date=March 2011}}
|reported death(s) = 1<ref name="world-nuclear-news-20110312">{{cite news|url=http://www.world-nuclear-news.org/RS_Battle_to_stabilise_earthquake_reactors_1203111.html |title=Battle to stabilise earthquake reactors |author=World Nuclear News |publisher=World Nuclear News |date=March 12, 2011 |accessdate=March 12, 2011}}</ref><ref name="TEPCO-news-20110312">{{cite news|url=http://www.tepco.co.jp/en/press/corp-com/release/11031233-e.html |title=Press Releases |author=TEPCO |publisher=TEPCO |date=March 12, 2011 |accessdate=March 12, 2011}}</ref>
}}
{{wikinews|Earthquake-damaged Fukushima nuclear power plant triggers evacuation}}

=== Cooling failure directly after the earthquake ===
After the [[2011 Sendai earthquake and tsunami|March 11, 2011 earthquake]], Nuclear Engineering International reported that Units 1, 2 and 3 were [[Scram|automatically shut down]]. Units 4, 5 and 6 had already been shut down for maintenance.<ref name=nei-20110311>{{Cite news |url=http://www.neimagazine.com/story.asp?sectioncode=132&storyCode=2059127 |title=Japan initiates emergency protocol after earthquake |publisher=Nuclear Engineering International |date=March 11, 2011 |accessdate=March 11, 2011}}</ref> Major electrical supply failures in the region meant that electric power on site and in particular for the cooling system was only available from the plant itself. After main generation stopped, emergency diesel generators were started to provide power for cooling. However, the generators installed to provide backup power for the cooling systems for units 1–3 were damaged by the tsunami;<ref>{{cite web|title=Japan Earthquake Update (2030 CET)|url=http://www.iaea.org/press/?p=1121|work=IAEA Alert Log|publisher=[[International Atomic Energy Agency]]|accessdate=March 12, 2011}}</ref> they started up correctly but stopped abruptly about 1 hour later.<ref name=WNN>[http://www.world-nuclear-news.org/RS_Massive_earthquake_hits_Japan_1103111.html Massive earthquake hits Japan] World Nuclear News, March 11, 2011 2148h GMT (update 8)</ref> In Japan a nuclear emergency is declared when a plant experiences cooling problems, so a nuclear emergency was declared when the diesel generators stopped and cooling was interrupted. Cooling is needed to remove [[decay heat]] even when a plant has been shut down. Batteries, which last about eight hours, were used to power the reactor controls and valves during the electrical outage.<ref name=Reuters-DiSavino-20110311>{{cite news |url=http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/03/12/us-japan-quake-nuclear-us-analysis-idUSTRE72B04C20110312 |title=Snap analysis: Japan may have hours to prevent nuclear meltdown |author=Scott DiSavino |publisher=Reuters |date=March 11, 2011 |accessdate=March 11, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.businessweek.com/news/2011-03-11/japan-orders-evacuation-from-near-nuclear-plant-after-quake.html |title=Japan Orders Evacuation From Near Nuclear Plant After Quake |author=Tsuyoshi Inajima and Yuji Okada |publisher=Bloomberg |date=March 11, 2011 |accessdate=March 11, 2011}}</ref><ref name=NYT01>{{cite news |last=Wald |first=Matthew L., |url=http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/12/world/asia/12nuclear.html?_r=1&hp=&adxnnl=1&adxnnlx=1299865488-C7GLJDrrrqhvNpuS3XSRjw |title=Japan Orders Evacuation Near 2nd Nuclear Plant |newspaper=The New York Times |date=March 11, 2011 |accessdate=March 11, 2011 | first = Matthew L. | last = Wald}}</ref> Japanese ground forces were said to be trucking generators and batteries to the site.<ref>{{cite news | newspaper = Los Angeles Times | url = http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-sci-japan-quake-nuclear-20110312,0,2627198.story | title = Damage at two Japan nuclear plants prompts evacuations | date = March 11, 2011 | first1 = Thomas H. | last1 = Maugh II | first2 = Ralph | last = Vartabedian }}</ref>

=== Meltdown fears at Unit 1 ===
On March 12, 2011, after midnight JST, it was reported that the [[Tokyo Electric Power Company]] was considering venting hot gas from the Unit 1 reactor vessel into the atmosphere, which could result in the release of radiation.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.asahi.com/national/update/0312/TKY201103110824.html |title=asahi.com（朝日新聞社）：福島原発炉内蒸気、外に逃す作業検f討　放射能漏れの恐れ – 社会}}</ref> The Tokyo Electric Company reported that radiation levels were rising in the turbine building for Unit 1.<ref>[http://e.nikkei.com/e/fr/tnks/Nni20110311D11JF351.htm "Radiation level rising in Fukushima Nuclear Plant turbine building."] Nikkei.com. March 12, 2011(Japan time). Retrieved18:30 GMT March 11, 2011.</ref> At 02:00 [[Japan Standard Time|JST]], the pressure inside the reactor [[containment building|containment]] was reported to be 600&nbsp;[[Pascal (unit)|kPa]] (6&nbsp;[[Bar (unit)|bar]] or 87&nbsp;[[Pounds per square inch|psi]]), 200&nbsp;kPa (2&nbsp;bar or 29&nbsp;psi) higher than under normal conditions.<ref name=WNN/> At 05:30 JST the pressure inside Reactor 1 was reported to be 2.1 times the "design capacity",<ref>[http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/03/11/japan-quake-tepco-pressure-idUSLHE7EB00R20110311 Fukushima reactor pressure may have hit 2.1 times capacity -METI] Maeda, Rita, Reuters wire service, quoting Japan Trade Ministry (20:30 GMT) March 12, 2011 (Tokyo time)</ref> 820&nbsp;kPa (8.2&nbsp;bar or 120&nbsp;psi).<ref name=WNN2>{{cite web|url=http://www.world-nuclear-news.org/RS_Battle_to_stabilise_earthquake_reactors_1203111.html|title=Battle to stabilise earthquake reactors , update 4|publisher=World Nuclear News|date=March 12, 2010 01:52 GMT}}</ref> At 06:10 [[Japan Standard Time|JST]], the [[IAEA]] reported that "mobile electricity supplies have arrived at the site" to power the disabled cooling system of Unit 2.<ref>[http://www.iaea.org/press/?p=1133 Japan Earthquake Update (22:10 CET) : IAEA Alert Log]. Iaea.org. Retrieved on March 12, 2011.</ref>

In a press conference, a speaker of the Japanese nuclear authorities was translated to English as having said that a nuclear meltdown may be a possibility and that a pipe had burst at unit 1. {{Citation needed|date=March 2011}}However, the Japanese prime minister soon denied that a nuclear meltdown was in progress and emphasized that the containment of unit 1 was still intact. At around 01:00 JST on March 13, Japanese authorities measured a strong increase on iodine and cesium at the unit, indicating probable loss of coolant causing the hazardous release. <ref>{{cite web|author=By Tom Watkins, CNN |url=http://www.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/asiapcf/03/12/japan.quake.nuclear.failure/ |title=Official: 'We see the possibility of a meltdown' |publisher=CNN.com |date= |accessdate=2011-03-13}}</ref> Toshihiro Bannai, director of the international affairs office of Japan's Nuclear and Industrial Safety, in a telephone interview with CNN, stated that a meltdown was possible. <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.spiegel.de/panorama/0,1518,750472-2,00.html |title=Minutenprotokoll: Japan im Zeichen der Katastrophe - SPIEGEL ONLINE - Nachrichten - Panorama |publisher=Spiegel.de |date=2006-04-21 |quote=schätzen Tepco und Nisa die Wahrscheinlichkeit einer Kernschmelze als hoch ein|accessdate=2011-03-13}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fgw-japan-quake-meltdown-20110312,0,2889362.story |title=Japan earthquake: Meltdown may be occurring, Japanese nuclear official says |publisher=latimes.com |date=2011-02-27 |accessdate=2011-03-13}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=By Tom Watkins, CNN |url=http://www.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/asiapcf/03/12/japan.quake.nuclear.failure/ |title=Official: 'We see the possibility of a meltdown' |publisher=CNN.com |date= |accessdate=2011-03-13}}</ref> The Japanese newspaper ''Asahi Shimbun'' reported that cooling water had lowered so much that parts of the nuclear fuel rods were exposed.<ref>{{cite web|author=Yoshie Furuhashi |url=http://mrzine.monthlyreview.org/2011/nhk110311.html |title=NHK, "Fukushima 1: Fuel Rods Exposed" |publisher=Mrzine.monthlyreview.org |date= |accessdate=2011-03-13}}</ref> Japanese authorities said that pressure inside the unit was still high, but the temperature was dropping.

Potentially radioactive steam was released from the primary circuit into the secondary containment area to reduce mounting pressure.<ref>[http://content.usatoday.com/communities/ondeadline/post/2011/03/radiation-1000-times-normal-detected-around-crippled-japanese-plant/1 Radiation 1K times normal at one Japan nuke plant]. Content.usatoday.com (January 3, 2011). Retrieved on March 12, 2011.</ref> On March 12, 2011, at 06:40 [[Japan Standard Time|JST]], Chief Cabinet Secretary Yukio Edano stated that the amount of potential radiation would be small and that the prevailing winds are blowing out to sea.<ref>International Business Times. [http://hken.ibtimes.com/articles/121928/20110312/japan-quake.htm Japan warns of small radiation leak from quake-hit plant] Retrieved March 11, 2011, 21:48 (GMT)</ref> In a press release at 07:00 JST March 12, TEPCO stated, "Measurement of radioactive material ([[iodine]], etc.) by monitoring car indicates increasing value compared to normal level. One of the monitoring posts is also indicating higher than normal level."<ref name=TEPCO-7AM /> At 13:30 JST, radioactive [[caesium-137]] was detected near reactor 1, which indicates that some of the core was exposed to air and possibly experienced a partial-meltdown.<ref>http://e.nikkei.com/e/fr/tnks/Nni20110312D12JF423.htm “Possible Meltdown at TEPCO Reactor” Nikkei.com, 12 March 2011</ref> Kyodo News Service later reported that partial melting may have occurred.<ref>http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/mar/13/japan-second-nuclear-reactor-threat-fukushima
Justin McCurry, “Japan nuclear plant faces new threat”, guardian.co.uk, 13 March 2011 5:28GMT</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.tv-asahi.co.jp/ann/news/web/html/210312157.html |title=【地震】炉心溶融している可能性 福島第一原発 |publisher=News.tv-asahi.co.jp |date=|accessdate=March 12, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://english.kyodonews.jp/news/2011/03/77025.html |title=URGENT: Concerns of core partially melting at Fukushima nuke plant &#124; Kyodo News |publisher=English.kyodonews.jp |date=|accessdate=March 12, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.iaea.org/newscenter/news/tsunamiupdate01.html |title=IAEA update on Japan Earthquake |first= |last=|work=iaea.org |year=2011 [last update] |quote=2110 CET |accessdate=12 March 2011}}</ref>At 15:29 JST (06:29 GMT) TEPCO reported that radiation levels at the site boundary exceeded the regulatory limits.<ref name=TEPCO-boundary-radiation >{{cite web |url=http://www.tepco.co.jp/en/press/corp-com/release/11031224-e.html |title=Occurrence of a Specific Incident Stipulated in Article 15, Clause 1 of the Act on Special Measures Concerning Nuclear Emergency Preparedness (Extraordinary increase of radiation dose at site boundary) |publisher=TEPCO News website |date=March 12, 2011 |accessdate=March 12, 2011}}</ref> An announcement of TEPCO indicated that the [[gamma ray]] radiation recorded on the main gate was increased from 69&nbsp;[[Gray (unit)|nanogray]]/hour (nGy/h) (04:00 JST, 12 March) to 866&nbsp;nGy/h 40 minutes later and reached the peak of 385.5&nbsp;microgray/hour (1&nbsp;μGy = 1000&nbsp;nGy) at 10:30 JST.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tepco.co.jp/cc/press/11031226-j.html|title=福島第一原子力発電所の現状について【午後４時40分時点】|trans_title=Condition of Fukushima I (4:40pm)|date=March 12, 2011|accessdate=March 12, 2011|work=TEPCO|language=Japanese}}</ref>

The [[Prime Minister of Japan]], [[Naoto Kan]], visited the plant for a briefing on March 12, 2011.<ref>{{cite news|title=Kan inspects quake-hit nuclear plant in Fukushima|url=http://english.kyodonews.jp/news/2011/03/77002.html|accessdate=March 12, 2011|newspaper=[[Kyodo News]]|date=March 12, 2011}}</ref> The Tokyo fire department sent a special nuclear rescue team to Fukushima.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.indiatvnews.com/news/World/Blast_In_Fukushima_Nuclear_Plant_Massive_Radiation-3233.html |title=Blast In Fukushima Nuclear Plant, Massive Radiation Leak Feared |publisher=Indiatvnews.com |date=|accessdate=March 12, 2011}}</ref>

=== Explosion and collapse of secondary structure of Unit 1 ===
{{wikinews|Explosion at earthquake-damaged Fukushima nuclear power plant}}
At 15:36 JST (06:36 GMT) on March 12, there was an explosion at the plant injuring four workers.<ref>{{cite web | title=福島第１原発で爆発と白煙　４人ケガ | url=http://www.news24.jp/articles/2011/03/12/06178055.html | publisher=)NIPPON TELEVISION NETWORK CORPORATION | accessdate=12 March 2011}}{{ja icon}}</ref> The explosion was officially confirmed at 18:43 JST (09:43 GMT).<ref name=BBCLive>{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-12307698|title=Live blog|publisher=BBC News|date=March 12, 2011}}</ref>{{Failed verification|date=March 2011}} According to a [[Reuter]]s report of 21:36 JST (7:36 [[Eastern Time|ET]]), Chief Cabinet Secretary [[Yukio Edano]] indicated that the building housing the No.&nbsp;1 reactor containment vessel had collapsed as a result of a hydrogen explosion.<ref name=ReutersSeaWater/> Hydrogen had been produced due to falling water levels in the reactor and leaked from the pressure vessel into the containment building.<ref name=ReutersSeaWater/> At 19:37 JST (10:37 GMT) Reuters reported that Mr Ian Hore-Lacy, communications director at the [[World Nuclear Association]], had suggested the same cause.<ref name=reuters-20110312-10:37>{{cite news |url=http://af.reuters.com/article/energyOilNews/idAFLDE72B05X20110312|title=Hydrogen may have caused Japan atom blast-industry|author=Fredrik Dahl, Louise Ireland|publisher=Reuters |date=March 12, 2011 |accessdate=March 12, 2011}}</ref> However, the [[Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency]] said that the explosion could only have been caused by a meltdown of the reactor core.<ref>http://e.nikkei.com/e/fr/tnks/Nni20110312D12JFF03.htm</ref> Edano further indicated that the container of the reactor had remained intact and there had been no large leaks of radioactive material.<ref name=ReutersSeaWater>{{cite web|url=http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/03/12/japan-quake-reactor-idUSTKZ00680620110312?feedType=RSS&feedName=hotStocksNews&rpc=43|title=Japan to fill leaking nuke reactor with sea water|date=March 12, 2011|publisher=Reuters}}</ref><ref name="world-nuclear-news-20110312" /> An increase in radiation levels was confirmed following the explosion.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://finchannel.com/news_flash/World/82983_Radiation_levels_increase_at_Fukushima_No.1_after_blast_reports/ |title=The FINANCIAL – Radiation levels increase at Fukushima No.1 after blast reports |publisher=Finchannel.com |date=|accessdate=March 12, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Meyers |first=Chris |url=http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/03/12/us-japan-quake-idUSTRE72A0SS20110312 |title=Radiation leaking from Japan's quake-hit nuclear |publisher=Reuters |date=2009-02-09 |accessdate=March 12, 2011}}</ref> According to the Fukushima prefectural government, the hourly radiation from the plant reached 1.015&nbsp;mSv (0.1015&nbsp;[[Röntgen equivalent man|rem]]), a rate which would cause ordinary people to reach their allowable yearly limit in under an hour."<ref name="abc3162450">{{cite web |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/03/12/3162450.htm |title=Explosion at quake-hit nuclear plant |publisher=ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation) |date=March 12, 2011 |accessdate=March 12, 2011}}</ref><ref>''See also:'' {{cite web|url=http://www.hse.gov.uk/radiation/ionising/doses/ |title=Radiation dose limits |publisher=Bbc.co.uk |date=|accessdate=March 12, 2011}}</ref> Two independent nuclear experts cited design differences between the [[Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant]] and the Fukushima I Nuclear Power Plant,<ref name="radioactivescreening">{{cite web|author=Richard Jones |url=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1365536/Japan-earthquake-tsunami-Thousands-undergo-radioactive-screening-explosion.html#ixzz1GQ6mqNgF |title="Thousands undergo radioactive screening after explosion in nuclear power station" by Wil Longbottom |publisher=Dailymail.co.uk |date= |accessdate=2011-03-13}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/World-News/Video-Fukushima-Nuclear-Fallout-How-Bad-Could-It-Get/Article/201103215950994?lpos=World_News_First_World_News_Article_Teaser_Region_4&lid=ARTICLE_15950994_Video%3A_Fukushima_Nuclear_Fallout%3A_How_Bad_Could_It_Get |title=Fukushima Fallout: How Bad Could It Get? |publisher=News.sky.com |date= |accessdate=2011-03-13}}</ref> one of them saying he did not believe that a [[Chernobyl disaster|Chernobyl-style disaster]] will occur.<ref name="radioactivescreening"/>

At 21:00 JST (12:00 GMT) TEPCO announced that they planned to cool the leaking reactor with [[seawater]] (which started at 20:20 JST), then using [[boric acid]] to act as a [[neutron poison|neutron absorber]] to prevent a [[criticality accident]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.tepco.co.jp/en/press/corp-com/release/11031231-e.html|title=Impact to TEPCO's Facilities due to Miyagiken-Oki Earthquake (as of 9PM)|date=12 March 2011|accessdate=12 March 2011|work=TEPCO}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.tepco.co.jp/cc/press/11031229-j.html|title=東北地方太平洋沖地震における当社設備への影響について【午後９時現在】|date=12 March 2011|accessdate=12 March 2011|work=TEPCO|language=Japanese}}</ref> The seawater would take five to ten hours to fill the reactor core, after which it would require seawater cooling for around ten days.<ref name=ReutersSeaWater/> At 23:00 JST (14:00 GMT) TEPCO announced that due to the quake at 22:15<ref>{{cite web|url=http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/recenteqsww/Quakes/usc00020na.php|title=USGS Earthquake Details|publisher=USGS|date=March 12, 2011|accessdate=March 12, 2011}}</ref> the filling of the reactor with seawater and boric acid had been temporarily stopped but has been resumed after a short while.<ref name="wnn">{{cite news|url=http://www.world-nuclear-news.org/RS_Battle_to_stabilise_earthquake_reactors_1203111.html|title=Battle to stabilise earthquake reactors|date=12 March 2011|accessdate=12 March 2011|work=World Nuclear News}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.tepco.co.jp/nu/f1-np/press_f1/2010/htmldata/bi1325-j.pdf|title=福島第一原子力発電所プラント状況等のお知らせ（３月12日　午後11時現在）|date=12 March 2011|accessdate=12 March 2011|work=TEPCO|language=Japanese}}</ref> Filling the reactor with seawater will contaminate the reactor, meaning the reactor will likely be decommissioned, since it is not cost effective to decontaminate.<ref>{{cite web|last=Brumfiel |first=Geoff |url=http://blogs.nature.com/news/thegreatbeyond/2011/03/a_disconnect_between_statement.html |title=The Great Beyond: A disconnect between statement and actions at Japanese nuclear plant |publisher=Blogs.nature.com |date=1999-02-22 |accessdate=2011-03-13}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/top-stories/2011/03/13/sea-water-bid-to-halt-meltdown-at-fukushima-nuclear-plant-115875-22985881/ |title=Sea water bid to halt meltdown at Fukushima nuclear plant |publisher=mirror.co.uk |date=2009-08-11 |accessdate=2011-03-13}}</ref>

At 01:17 JST on Sunday March 13 (16:17 GMT), the [[Japan Atomic Energy Agency]] announced that it was rating the Fukushima accident at 4 (accident with local consequences) on the 0–7 [[International Nuclear Event Scale]] (INES), below the [[Three Mile Island accident]] in seriousness<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/03/12/us-japan-quake-rating-idUSTRE72B2FR20110312|title=Japan rates quake less serious than Three Mile Island, Chernobyl|last=Maeda|first=Risa|date=12 March 2011|work=Reuters|accessdate=12 March 2011}}</ref> which was at 5, a rating that would make the severity of the Fukushima event comparable to [[Sellafield]] accidents between 1955 and 1979 that were also at 4.

=== Cooling problems at Unit 3 ===
Early on March 13, an official of the Japan Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency told a news conference that the emergency cooling system of Unit 3 had failed, spurring an urgent search for a means to supply cooling water to the reactor vessel in order to prevent a meltdown of its reactor core.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/03/12/us-japan-quake-nuclear-cooling-idUSTRE72B3GI20110312 |title=Japan's Fukushima nuclear plant faces new reactor problem |publisher=Reuters |date=2011-03-12 |accessdate=March 12, 2011}}</ref>

At 07:30 JST, TEPCO prepared to release radioactive steam, indicating that "the amount of radiation to be released would be small and not of a level that would affect human health".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/03/12/us-japan-quake-tepco-radiation-idUSTRE72B3PJ20110312| publisher=Reuters|title=Japan's TEPCO preparing to release radiation from second reactor|date=2011-03-12 |accessdate=March 12, 2011}}</ref>

At 12:33 JST on March 13, it was reported that Secretary Edano said "it was 'highly possible' a partial meltdown was underway" in Unit 3. The six other active Fukushima 1 and 2 reactors would be venting radioactive gas to reduce pressure.<ref name="wp-partial"/> The ''Washington Post'' blamed the hydrogen explosion in Unit 1 on the lack of electrical power to the plant, which disabled a safety device that ignites hydrogen gas before it builds to a dangerous level.<ref name="wp-partial"/

===Evacuations===
After the declaration of a nuclear emergency, an evacuation order was issued to people living within {{convert|3|km}} of the plant, affecting approximately 5,800 residents, but others living less than {{convert|10|km}} from the power plant were advised to stay indoors.<ref>Bloomberg. Tsuyoshi Inajima and Yuji Okada. [http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-03-11/evacuation-order-issued-for-residents-near-japan-s-fukushima-nuclear-plant.html Japan Orders Evacuation From Near Nuclear Plant After Quake]. March, 11, 2011, 14:11:59 GMT.</ref> Later the evacuation was expanded to a {{convert|10|km}} radius, and then to {{convert|20|km}}.<ref>[http://allthingsnuclear.org/post/3792741638/containment-at-fukushima All Things Nuclear • Containment at Fukushima]. Allthingsnuclear.org. Retrieved on March 12, 2011.</ref><ref>Nikkei, [http://e.nikkei.com/e/fr/tnks/Nni20110312D12JF363.htm Radiation Could Already Have Leaked At Nuke Plant]. March, 12, 2011, 7:20 JST.</ref><ref name=TEPCO-7AM>{{cite web |url=http://www.tepco.co.jp/en/press/corp-com/release/11031211-e.html |title=Impact to TEPCO's Facilities due to Miyagiken-Oki Earthquake (as of 7&nbsp;am) |publisher=TEPCO News website |date=March 12, 2011 |accessdate=March 12, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://live.reuters.com/Event/Japan_earthquake2 |title=Japan earthquake &#124; Page 18 &#124; Liveblog live blogging &#124; Reuters.com |publisher=Live.reuters.com |date=2009-02-09 |accessdate=March 12, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://ca.news.yahoo.com/blast-destroys-part-japan-nuclear-plant-20110312-024412-523.html |title=Blast destroys part of Japan nuclear plant | publisher=CBC.ca |date=March 12, 2011}}</ref> BBC correspondent Nick Ravenscroft was stopped {{convert|60|km|mi}} from the plant by police.<ref>{{cite web|author=Richard Black |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-12720219 |title=BBC News – Japan earthquake: Explosion at Fukushima nuclear plant |publisher=BBC News |date=|accessdate=March 12, 2011}}</ref>

Over 50,000 people were evacuated during March 12.<ref>{{cite web|author=Joe Weisenthal | Mar. 12, 2011, 4:08 AM | 194,758 | 259 |url=http://www.businessinsider.com/fukushima-nuclear-plant-2011-3 |title=Fukushima Nuclear Plant |publisher=Businessinsider.com |date=2011-03-04 |accessdate=March 12, 2011}}</ref> The figure increased to 170,000&ndash;200,000 people on March 13, after officials voiced the possibility of a meltdown.<ref>{{cite web|last=Associated |first=The |url=http://www.google.com/hostednews/canadianpress/article/ALeqM5h27to-uk4j6utkt4KKWlUQJX6AHA?docId=6230208 |title=The Canadian Press: IAEA says 170,000 people evacuated from area near damaged Japan nuclear plant |publisher=Google.com |date= |accessdate=2011-03-13}}</ref><ref name="wp-partial">[http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/03/12/AR2011031205493.html]</ref>

===Effect on employees and residents===
''[[The Guardian]]'' reported at 17:35 JST (08:35 GMT) on March 12 that NHK advised residents of the Fukushima area "to stay inside, close doors and windows and turn off air conditioning. They were also advised to cover their mouths with masks, towels or handkerchiefs" as well as not to drink tap water.<ref>{{cite web|last=Glendinning |first=Lee |url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/blog/2011/mar/12/japan-tsunami-earthquake-live-coverage |title=Japan tsunami and earthquake – live coverage &#124; World news &#124; guardian.co.uk |publisher=Guardian |date=|accessdate=March 12, 2011}}</ref> Air traffic has been restricted in a {{convert|20|km}} radius around the plant, according to a [[NOTAM]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ourairports.com/airports/RJSS/pilot-info.html |title=Pilot information for Sendai Airport |date=March 12, 2011 |accessdate=March 12, 2011}}</ref> The BBC has reported as of 22:49 JST (13:49 GMT) "A team from the National Institute of Radiological Sciences has been dispatched to Fukushima as a precaution, reports NHK. It was reportedly made up of doctors, nurses and other individuals with expertise in dealing with radiation exposure, and had been taken by helicopter to a base 5&nbsp;km from the nuclear plant."<ref name=BBCLive />{{Failed verification|date=March 2011}}

At 23:43 JST (14:43 GMT) BBC News stated that the four workers that were injured in the blast at the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear plant were conscious and their injuries were not life-threatening.<ref name=BBCLive />{{Failed verification|date=March 2011}} This was followed at 23:59 JST (14:59 GMT) with BBC advising both Kyodo and NHK reporting at least three residents evacuated from a town near quake-hit Fukushima No. 1 plant have been exposed to radiation.<ref name=BBCLive />{{Failed verification|date=March 2011}}
According to TEPCO a crane worker on the exhaust stack died at [[Fukushima Daini]].<ref name="TEPCO-news-20110312">{{cite news|url=http://www.tepco.co.jp/en/press/corp-com/release/11031233-e.html |title=Press Releases |author=TEPCO |publisher=TEPCO |date=March 12, 2011 |accessdate=March 12, 2011}}</ref> However, a conflicting account from the [[World Nuclear Association]], puts the death at [[Fukushima Daiichi]].<ref name="world-nuclear-news-20110312" />

At 22:53 JST (13:53 GMT) Tokyo Broadcasting System (TBS), quoting Fukushima representatives, has reported that there was an evacuation of 30 staff members and 60 patients due to the explosion. From those evacuees three patients received a checkup for [[Radioactive contamination|radiation exposure]] by the hospital staff at [[Futaba, Fukushima|Futaba]], a town 3.5 miles from the power plant. One of the three people who received the checkup showed an exposure of "100,000 [[counts per minute]]" while the other two people showed exposure of 40,000 and 30,000 counts per minute. According to experts{{who}}, this is [[Radiation poisoning#Exposure levels|a level of radiation]] from which an individual needs to be [[Human decontamination|decontaminated]]. While all three patients have been [[Human decontamination|decontaminated]], about 90 other evacuees may also require decontamination.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://news.tbs.co.jp/newseye/tbs_newseye4671881.html| author=TBS| title=Nuclear explosion Fukushima, three civilians are exposed| publisher=TBS News| date=March 12, 2011}}</ref>

Revision as of 08:40, 13 March 2011

2011 Sendai earthquake and tsunami

Fukushima I nuclear incident
File:2011-03-12 1800 NHK Sōgō channel news program screen shot.jpg
Date11 March 2011 (2011-03-11)
Time14:46 (JST UTC+9)
LocationŌkuma Fukushima, Japan
Deaths1[1][2]
Non-fatal injuries4 (physical), 3 (radiation exposure)[3][failed verification]
Wikinews has related news:

Cooling failure directly after the earthquake

After the March 11, 2011 earthquake, Nuclear Engineering International reported that Units 1, 2 and 3 were automatically shut down. Units 4, 5 and 6 had already been shut down for maintenance.[4] Major electrical supply failures in the region meant that electric power on site and in particular for the cooling system was only available from the plant itself. After main generation stopped, emergency diesel generators were started to provide power for cooling. However, the generators installed to provide backup power for the cooling systems for units 1–3 were damaged by the tsunami;[5] they started up correctly but stopped abruptly about 1 hour later.[6] In Japan a nuclear emergency is declared when a plant experiences cooling problems, so a nuclear emergency was declared when the diesel generators stopped and cooling was interrupted. Cooling is needed to remove decay heat even when a plant has been shut down. Batteries, which last about eight hours, were used to power the reactor controls and valves during the electrical outage.[7][8][9] Japanese ground forces were said to be trucking generators and batteries to the site.[10]

Meltdown fears at Unit 1

On March 12, 2011, after midnight JST, it was reported that the Tokyo Electric Power Company was considering venting hot gas from the Unit 1 reactor vessel into the atmosphere, which could result in the release of radiation.[11] The Tokyo Electric Company reported that radiation levels were rising in the turbine building for Unit 1.[12] At 02:00 JST, the pressure inside the reactor containment was reported to be 600 kPa (6 bar or 87 psi), 200 kPa (2 bar or 29 psi) higher than under normal conditions.[6] At 05:30 JST the pressure inside Reactor 1 was reported to be 2.1 times the "design capacity",[13] 820 kPa (8.2 bar or 120 psi).[14] At 06:10 JST, the IAEA reported that "mobile electricity supplies have arrived at the site" to power the disabled cooling system of Unit 2.[15]

In a press conference, a speaker of the Japanese nuclear authorities was translated to English as having said that a nuclear meltdown may be a possibility and that a pipe had burst at unit 1. [citation needed]However, the Japanese prime minister soon denied that a nuclear meltdown was in progress and emphasized that the containment of unit 1 was still intact. At around 01:00 JST on March 13, Japanese authorities measured a strong increase on iodine and cesium at the unit, indicating probable loss of coolant causing the hazardous release. [16] Toshihiro Bannai, director of the international affairs office of Japan's Nuclear and Industrial Safety, in a telephone interview with CNN, stated that a meltdown was possible. [17][18][19] The Japanese newspaper Asahi Shimbun reported that cooling water had lowered so much that parts of the nuclear fuel rods were exposed.[20] Japanese authorities said that pressure inside the unit was still high, but the temperature was dropping.

Potentially radioactive steam was released from the primary circuit into the secondary containment area to reduce mounting pressure.[21] On March 12, 2011, at 06:40 JST, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yukio Edano stated that the amount of potential radiation would be small and that the prevailing winds are blowing out to sea.[22] In a press release at 07:00 JST March 12, TEPCO stated, "Measurement of radioactive material (iodine, etc.) by monitoring car indicates increasing value compared to normal level. One of the monitoring posts is also indicating higher than normal level."[23] At 13:30 JST, radioactive caesium-137 was detected near reactor 1, which indicates that some of the core was exposed to air and possibly experienced a partial-meltdown.[24] Kyodo News Service later reported that partial melting may have occurred.[25][26][27][28]At 15:29 JST (06:29 GMT) TEPCO reported that radiation levels at the site boundary exceeded the regulatory limits.[29] An announcement of TEPCO indicated that the gamma ray radiation recorded on the main gate was increased from 69 nanogray/hour (nGy/h) (04:00 JST, 12 March) to 866 nGy/h 40 minutes later and reached the peak of 385.5 microgray/hour (1 μGy = 1000 nGy) at 10:30 JST.[30]

The Prime Minister of Japan, Naoto Kan, visited the plant for a briefing on March 12, 2011.[31] The Tokyo fire department sent a special nuclear rescue team to Fukushima.[32]

Explosion and collapse of secondary structure of Unit 1

Wikinews has related news:

At 15:36 JST (06:36 GMT) on March 12, there was an explosion at the plant injuring four workers.[33] The explosion was officially confirmed at 18:43 JST (09:43 GMT).[3][failed verification] According to a Reuters report of 21:36 JST (7:36 ET), Chief Cabinet Secretary Yukio Edano indicated that the building housing the No. 1 reactor containment vessel had collapsed as a result of a hydrogen explosion.[34] Hydrogen had been produced due to falling water levels in the reactor and leaked from the pressure vessel into the containment building.[34] At 19:37 JST (10:37 GMT) Reuters reported that Mr Ian Hore-Lacy, communications director at the World Nuclear Association, had suggested the same cause.[35] However, the Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency said that the explosion could only have been caused by a meltdown of the reactor core.[36] Edano further indicated that the container of the reactor had remained intact and there had been no large leaks of radioactive material.[34][1] An increase in radiation levels was confirmed following the explosion.[37][38] According to the Fukushima prefectural government, the hourly radiation from the plant reached 1.015 mSv (0.1015 rem), a rate which would cause ordinary people to reach their allowable yearly limit in under an hour."[39][40] Two independent nuclear experts cited design differences between the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant and the Fukushima I Nuclear Power Plant,[41][42] one of them saying he did not believe that a Chernobyl-style disaster will occur.[41]

At 21:00 JST (12:00 GMT) TEPCO announced that they planned to cool the leaking reactor with seawater (which started at 20:20 JST), then using boric acid to act as a neutron absorber to prevent a criticality accident.[43][44] The seawater would take five to ten hours to fill the reactor core, after which it would require seawater cooling for around ten days.[34] At 23:00 JST (14:00 GMT) TEPCO announced that due to the quake at 22:15[45] the filling of the reactor with seawater and boric acid had been temporarily stopped but has been resumed after a short while.[46][47] Filling the reactor with seawater will contaminate the reactor, meaning the reactor will likely be decommissioned, since it is not cost effective to decontaminate.[48][49]

At 01:17 JST on Sunday March 13 (16:17 GMT), the Japan Atomic Energy Agency announced that it was rating the Fukushima accident at 4 (accident with local consequences) on the 0–7 International Nuclear Event Scale (INES), below the Three Mile Island accident in seriousness[50] which was at 5, a rating that would make the severity of the Fukushima event comparable to Sellafield accidents between 1955 and 1979 that were also at 4.

Cooling problems at Unit 3

Early on March 13, an official of the Japan Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency told a news conference that the emergency cooling system of Unit 3 had failed, spurring an urgent search for a means to supply cooling water to the reactor vessel in order to prevent a meltdown of its reactor core.[51]

At 07:30 JST, TEPCO prepared to release radioactive steam, indicating that "the amount of radiation to be released would be small and not of a level that would affect human health".[52]

At 12:33 JST on March 13, it was reported that Secretary Edano said "it was 'highly possible' a partial meltdown was underway" in Unit 3. The six other active Fukushima 1 and 2 reactors would be venting radioactive gas to reduce pressure.[53] The Washington Post blamed the hydrogen explosion in Unit 1 on the lack of electrical power to the plant, which disabled a safety device that ignites hydrogen gas before it builds to a dangerous level.Cite error: The <ref> tag has too many names (see the help page). Later the evacuation was expanded to a 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) radius, and then to 20 kilometres (12 mi).[54][55][23][56][57] BBC correspondent Nick Ravenscroft was stopped 60 kilometres (37 mi) from the plant by police.[58]

Over 50,000 people were evacuated during March 12.[59] The figure increased to 170,000–200,000 people on March 13, after officials voiced the possibility of a meltdown.[60][53]

Effect on employees and residents

The Guardian reported at 17:35 JST (08:35 GMT) on March 12 that NHK advised residents of the Fukushima area "to stay inside, close doors and windows and turn off air conditioning. They were also advised to cover their mouths with masks, towels or handkerchiefs" as well as not to drink tap water.[61] Air traffic has been restricted in a 20 kilometres (12 mi) radius around the plant, according to a NOTAM.[62] The BBC has reported as of 22:49 JST (13:49 GMT) "A team from the National Institute of Radiological Sciences has been dispatched to Fukushima as a precaution, reports NHK. It was reportedly made up of doctors, nurses and other individuals with expertise in dealing with radiation exposure, and had been taken by helicopter to a base 5 km from the nuclear plant."[3][failed verification]

At 23:43 JST (14:43 GMT) BBC News stated that the four workers that were injured in the blast at the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear plant were conscious and their injuries were not life-threatening.[3][failed verification] This was followed at 23:59 JST (14:59 GMT) with BBC advising both Kyodo and NHK reporting at least three residents evacuated from a town near quake-hit Fukushima No. 1 plant have been exposed to radiation.[3][failed verification] According to TEPCO a crane worker on the exhaust stack died at Fukushima Daini.[2] However, a conflicting account from the World Nuclear Association, puts the death at Fukushima Daiichi.[1]

At 22:53 JST (13:53 GMT) Tokyo Broadcasting System (TBS), quoting Fukushima representatives, has reported that there was an evacuation of 30 staff members and 60 patients due to the explosion. From those evacuees three patients received a checkup for radiation exposure by the hospital staff at Futaba, a town 3.5 miles from the power plant. One of the three people who received the checkup showed an exposure of "100,000 counts per minute" while the other two people showed exposure of 40,000 and 30,000 counts per minute. According to experts[who?], this is a level of radiation from which an individual needs to be decontaminated. While all three patients have been decontaminated, about 90 other evacuees may also require decontamination.[63]

  1. ^ a b c World Nuclear News (March 12, 2011). "Battle to stabilise earthquake reactors". World Nuclear News. Retrieved March 12, 2011.
  2. ^ a b TEPCO (March 12, 2011). "Press Releases". TEPCO. Retrieved March 12, 2011.
  3. ^ a b c d e "Live blog". BBC News. March 12, 2011.
  4. ^ "Japan initiates emergency protocol after earthquake". Nuclear Engineering International. March 11, 2011. Retrieved March 11, 2011.
  5. ^ "Japan Earthquake Update (2030 CET)". IAEA Alert Log. International Atomic Energy Agency. Retrieved March 12, 2011.
  6. ^ a b Massive earthquake hits Japan World Nuclear News, March 11, 2011 2148h GMT (update 8)
  7. ^ Scott DiSavino (March 11, 2011). "Snap analysis: Japan may have hours to prevent nuclear meltdown". Reuters. Retrieved March 11, 2011.
  8. ^ Tsuyoshi Inajima and Yuji Okada (March 11, 2011). "Japan Orders Evacuation From Near Nuclear Plant After Quake". Bloomberg. Retrieved March 11, 2011.
  9. ^ Wald, Matthew L. (March 11, 2011). "Japan Orders Evacuation Near 2nd Nuclear Plant". The New York Times. Retrieved March 11, 2011.
  10. ^ Vartabedian, Thomas H. (March 11, 2011). "Damage at two Japan nuclear plants prompts evacuations". Los Angeles Times. {{cite news}}: |first2= missing |last2= (help); More than one of |last1= and |last= specified (help)
  11. ^ "asahi.com（朝日新聞社）：福島原発炉内蒸気、外に逃す作業検f討　放射能漏れの恐れ – 社会".
  12. ^ "Radiation level rising in Fukushima Nuclear Plant turbine building." Nikkei.com. March 12, 2011(Japan time). Retrieved18:30 GMT March 11, 2011.
  13. ^ Fukushima reactor pressure may have hit 2.1 times capacity -METI Maeda, Rita, Reuters wire service, quoting Japan Trade Ministry (20:30 GMT) March 12, 2011 (Tokyo time)
  14. ^ "Battle to stabilise earthquake reactors , update 4". World Nuclear News. March 12, 2010 01:52 GMT. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  15. ^ Japan Earthquake Update (22:10 CET) : IAEA Alert Log. Iaea.org. Retrieved on March 12, 2011.
  16. ^ By Tom Watkins, CNN. "Official: 'We see the possibility of a meltdown'". CNN.com. Retrieved 2011-03-13. {{cite web}}: |author= has generic name (help)
  17. ^ "Minutenprotokoll: Japan im Zeichen der Katastrophe - SPIEGEL ONLINE - Nachrichten - Panorama". Spiegel.de. 2006-04-21. Retrieved 2011-03-13. schätzen Tepco und Nisa die Wahrscheinlichkeit einer Kernschmelze als hoch ein
  18. ^ "Japan earthquake: Meltdown may be occurring, Japanese nuclear official says". latimes.com. 2011-02-27. Retrieved 2011-03-13.
  19. ^ By Tom Watkins, CNN. "Official: 'We see the possibility of a meltdown'". CNN.com. Retrieved 2011-03-13. {{cite web}}: |author= has generic name (help)
  20. ^ Yoshie Furuhashi. "NHK, "Fukushima 1: Fuel Rods Exposed"". Mrzine.monthlyreview.org. Retrieved 2011-03-13.
  21. ^ Radiation 1K times normal at one Japan nuke plant. Content.usatoday.com (January 3, 2011). Retrieved on March 12, 2011.
  22. ^ International Business Times. Japan warns of small radiation leak from quake-hit plant Retrieved March 11, 2011, 21:48 (GMT)
  23. ^ a b "Impact to TEPCO's Facilities due to Miyagiken-Oki Earthquake (as of 7 am)". TEPCO News website. March 12, 2011. Retrieved March 12, 2011.
  24. ^ http://e.nikkei.com/e/fr/tnks/Nni20110312D12JF423.htm “Possible Meltdown at TEPCO Reactor” Nikkei.com, 12 March 2011
  25. ^ http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/mar/13/japan-second-nuclear-reactor-threat-fukushima Justin McCurry, “Japan nuclear plant faces new threat”, guardian.co.uk, 13 March 2011 5:28GMT
  26. ^ "【地震】炉心溶融している可能性 福島第一原発". News.tv-asahi.co.jp. Retrieved March 12, 2011.
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  28. ^ "IAEA update on Japan Earthquake". iaea.org. 2011 [last update]. Retrieved 12 March 2011. 2110 CET {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |year= (help)
  29. ^ "Occurrence of a Specific Incident Stipulated in Article 15, Clause 1 of the Act on Special Measures Concerning Nuclear Emergency Preparedness (Extraordinary increase of radiation dose at site boundary)". TEPCO News website. March 12, 2011. Retrieved March 12, 2011.
  30. ^ "福島第一原子力発電所の現状について【午後４時40分時点】". TEPCO (in Japanese). March 12, 2011. Retrieved March 12, 2011. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |trans_title= ignored (|trans-title= suggested) (help)
  31. ^ "Kan inspects quake-hit nuclear plant in Fukushima". Kyodo News. March 12, 2011. Retrieved March 12, 2011.
  32. ^ "Blast In Fukushima Nuclear Plant, Massive Radiation Leak Feared". Indiatvnews.com. Retrieved March 12, 2011.
  33. ^ "福島第１原発で爆発と白煙　４人ケガ". )NIPPON TELEVISION NETWORK CORPORATION. Retrieved 12 March 2011.Template:Ja icon
  34. ^ a b c d "Japan to fill leaking nuke reactor with sea water". Reuters. March 12, 2011.
  35. ^ Fredrik Dahl, Louise Ireland (March 12, 2011). "Hydrogen may have caused Japan atom blast-industry". Reuters. Retrieved March 12, 2011.
  36. ^ http://e.nikkei.com/e/fr/tnks/Nni20110312D12JFF03.htm
  37. ^ "The FINANCIAL – Radiation levels increase at Fukushima No.1 after blast reports". Finchannel.com. Retrieved March 12, 2011.
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  40. ^ See also: "Radiation dose limits". Bbc.co.uk. Retrieved March 12, 2011.
  41. ^ a b Richard Jones. ""Thousands undergo radioactive screening after explosion in nuclear power station" by Wil Longbottom". Dailymail.co.uk. Retrieved 2011-03-13.
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  48. ^ Brumfiel, Geoff (1999-02-22). "The Great Beyond: A disconnect between statement and actions at Japanese nuclear plant". Blogs.nature.com. Retrieved 2011-03-13.
  49. ^ "Sea water bid to halt meltdown at Fukushima nuclear plant". mirror.co.uk. 2009-08-11. Retrieved 2011-03-13.
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  53. ^ a b [1]
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  60. ^ Associated, The. "The Canadian Press: IAEA says 170,000 people evacuated from area near damaged Japan nuclear plant". Google.com. Retrieved 2011-03-13.
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  62. ^ "Pilot information for Sendai Airport". March 12, 2011. Retrieved March 12, 2011.
  63. ^ TBS (March 12, 2011). "Nuclear explosion Fukushima, three civilians are exposed". TBS News.
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