In Fuel-Cooling Pools, a Danger for the Longer Term

Even as workers race to prevent the radioactive cores of the damaged nuclear reactors in Japan from melting down, concerns are growing that nearby pools holding spent fuel rods could pose an even greater danger.The pools, which sit on the top level of the reactor buildings and keep spent fuel submerged in water, have lost their cooling systems and the Japanese have been unable to take emergency steps because of the multiplying crises.

Temperatures appeared to be rising in the spent fuel pools at two other reactors at the plant, No. 5 and No. 6, said Yukio Edano, the chief cabinet secretary. NYT

Reactor 4 extinguished, fuel pool water may be boiling

The blaze at No. 4 reactor -- which was not in service at the time of the quake -- was put out, but water in the pool storing spent nuclear fuel may be boiling, causing the water level to drop and potentially exposing the rods, a spokesman for the Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) said. MyFoxDetroit

Radiation levels around Fukushima declared "harmful to human health"

Residents living 20 to 30 kilometers from the Fukushima Daiichi reactor complex destroyed by the power loss from the earthquake and tsunami have been urged by Tokyo Electric Power Company officials to take shelter inside because radiation levels have risen to levels "harmful to human health." 

Update on March 15, 2011 by admin

PLUME UPDATES: Weather forecasts for Fukushima were for snow and wind from the northeast Tuesday evening, blowing southwest toward Tokyo, then shifting and blowing east out to sea. That's important because it shows which direction a possible nuclear cloud might blow. ABC Newsnet5

Fukushima Daiichi workers evacuating reactor complex

Tokyo Electric Power Company has announced that it is evacuating its workers from the embattled 6 unit Fukushima Daiichi reactor complex with three of the units partially melting down (Units 1, 2 and 3) and the Unit 4 has an irradiated fuel fire initiated by hydrogen gas from loss of cooling. Unit 4 was not operational during the earthquake.

Fire at No.4 Fukushima reactor

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Admissions that radiation has been released. People living within 20km and 30 km (beyond 12miles) radius are being advised to shelter in place. Those living with 30km radius have been told to stay indoors. The fire is in the spent fuel pool. Unit 4 was not operating at the time of the quake/tsunami.

Radiation levels rising significantly from 1000 microsievert per hour levels now upwards of 400 millisieverts per hour, likely being released from  the fire burning from loss of cooling to irradiated fuel stored outside of containment at Unit 4. These levels of radiation will cause physical harm to people, steriliity in males, and reduce white  blood cell counts. 

People living beyond the current 12 mile evacuated zone being warned to stay indoors. Dust off,  remove clothes and scrub down after coming indoors from outside.  "Do not hang your laundry outside to dry."