Skip to content

Renewable Energy

The Japanese nuclear disaster could just be the tip of an iceberg

by Michael Evans 04 Apr 2011
The Japanese nuclear disaster could just be the tip of an iceberg
etadshow468 -->

Japanese officials have now admitted that its nuclear crisis could drag on for months. Today's Guardian newspaper quotes Goshi Hosono, an aide to Prime Minister Naoto Kan, as saying that although everything was being done to contain the leaks: ''We have not escaped from a crisis situation, but it is somewhat stabilised.''

When he was asked how long it would take to bring the overheating reactors under control, his reply was: ''I think several months would be one target.''

Hidehiko Nishiyama, spokesman for Japan's nuclear safety agency, confirmed this. ''It will take a few months,'' he said, ''until we finally get things under control and have a better idea about the future. We’ll face a crucial turning point within the next few months, but that is not the end of it.''

A major task currently facing the 600 workers, troops and fire-fighters at the plant was dealing with an 8 inch crack in the concrete pit connected to No 2 reactor. It is thought that this crack could be responsible for the seepage of radioactive iodine into the sea.

In the battle to cool the overheated reactors and prevent a dangerous meltdown of the highly radioactive fuel rods, huge quantities of seawater have been used. A major problem has been that this contaminated runoff has prevented technicians from getting close enough to the reactors in order to make proper repairs.

It appears that concrete has failed to prevent the highly radioactive water from leaking into the sea and technicians have even resorted to using a mixture of absorbent polymer, sawdust and shredded newspaper, but that seems to have met with a similar lack of success.

Meanwhile The Independent quotes a new report from Maplecroft, the global risk analysts, that of the 422 nuclear power stations in the world, more than one in ten are situated in places that are deemed to be at high or extreme risk from tsunamis or earthquakes or both.

Helen Hodge, Maplecroft's natural hazards analyst is quoted in The Independent as saying: ''Although Japanese nuclear facilities are particularly exposed, other countries could also face similar risks. South Korea, Taiwan, southern China, India, Pakistan and the west coast of the US have operating or planned nuclear facilities on tsunami-exposed coastlines, while nuclear sites in areas of high or extreme risk of earthquakes can be found in western US, Taiwan, Armenia, Iran and Slovenia.''

A good example is the ageing Russian-built plant about 18 miles from the Armenian capital of Yerevan. In 1988 a powerful earthquake killed 25,000 people in the country's north west.

The risk of future natural disasters has been recognised by the International Atomic Energy Authority (IAEA) and the Japanese disaster has reignited the debate over nuclear safety. As a result, several countries including Switzerland, Italy and Germany have put new reactor plans on hold.

IAEA consultant Dr Gordon Woo predicts that in the light of the Japanese disaster there will now be an upsurge in the transfer of seismic technology to less advanced nations.


Trending Eco-Friendly Clothing

Love My Planet Women's Relaxed Fit Hoodie
Earth
Quick Add
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Love My Planet Women's Relaxed Fit Hoodie
Love My Planet women's eco-friendly relaxed fit hoodieSize Guide Centimeters 8 10 12 14 16 18 Bust 84 88 92 97 103 108 Waist 66 70 75 80 85 91 Hips 91 95 99 104 109 116 Bust: Measure around the fullest part of...
£38.00
£38.00
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Penguins Hate Push-Ups Men's Pullover Hoodie
Earth
Quick Add
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Penguins Hate Push-Ups Men's Pullover Hoodie
Penguins Hate Push-Ups men's eco-friendly pullover HoodieSize Guide Centimeters XS S M L XL XXL Height 171 175 179 183 189 195 Chest 86 93 99 104 116 129 Waist 71 76 81 89 99 112 Chest: Measure all round your chest just below...
£38.00
£38.00
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Lightning Bolt Kids Long Sleeve T-Shirt
Earth
Quick Add
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Notify me
Lightning Bolt Kids Long Sleeve T-Shirt
Lightning Bolt kids eco-friendly long sleeve t-shirtSize Guide Centimeters 3-4yrs 5-6yrs 7-8yrs 9-10yrs 11-12yrs Height 98 112 125 136 147 Chest 60 66 70 75 84 Chest: Measure all around your chest just below your armpits. Height: Your natural height If you fall between...
£18.00
£18.00
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Notify me
Union Jack Tote Bag
Earth
Quick Add
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Union Jack Tote Bag
Union Jack eco-friendly colour tote bagProduct Specification Organic Cotton Tote Bag. Twill Weave (170gsm). 37 x 42 cm (7cm gusset.) Made in India / Designed on the Isle of Wight. Wash Cool, Hang Dry.
£16.00
£16.00
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Prev Post
Next Post

Eco-Friendly Shop

Women's Clothing

Eco-Friendly Clothing for Women Our online shop offers a wide range of sustainable women’s clothing products, including t-shirts, hoodies, vests, sweaters, shorts, and...
Shop Now

Men's Clothing

Eco-Friendly Clothing for Men Our online shop offers a wide range of sustainable men’s clothing products, including t-shirts, hoodies, vests, sweaters, shorts, and...
Shop Now

Kids Clothing

Eco-Friendly Clothes for Kids Our online shop offers a wide range of sustainable kids clothing products, including t-shirts, hoodies and jumpers. Our garments...
Shop Now
Someone recently bought a
[time] ago, from [location]

Thanks for subscribing!

This email has been registered!

Shop the look

Choose Options

Earth Times
Sign up for exclusive updates, new arrivals & insider only discounts

Recently Viewed

Edit Option
Back In Stock Notification
this is just a warning
Login
Shopping Cart
0 items

Before you leave...

Take 20% off your first order

20% off

Enter the code below at checkout to get 20% off your first order

CODESALE20

Continue Shopping