VIDEO Updates on Fukushima Fairewinds Associates - Arnie Gundersen - August 21, 2011

[whoosh]

"Newly released neutron data from three University of California San Diego scientists confirms Fairewinds' April analysis that the nuclear core at Fukushima Daiichi turned on and off after TEPCO claimed its reactors had been shutdown. This periodic nuclear chain reaction (inadvertent criticality) continued to contaminate the surrounding environment and upper atmosphere with large doses of radioactivity.

In a second area of concern, Fairewinds disagrees the NRC's latest report claiming that all Fukushima spent fuel pools had no problems following the earthquake. In a new revelation, the NRC claims that the plutonium found more than 1 mile offsite actually came from inside the nuclear reactors. If such a statement were true, it indicates that the nuclear power plant containments failed and were breached with debris landing far from the power plants themselves. Such a failure of the containment system certainly necessitates a complete review of all US reactor containment design and industry assurances that containments will hold in radioactivity in the event of a nuclear accident. The evidence Fairewinds reviewed to date continues to support its April analysis that the detonation in the Unit 3 Spent Fuel pool was the cause of plutonium found off site.

Third, the burning of radioactive materials (building materials, trees, lawn grass, rice straw) by the Japanese government will cause radioactive Cesium to spread even further into areas within Japan that have been previously clean, and across the Pacific Ocean to North America.

And finally, the Japanese government has yet to grasp the severity of the contamination within Japan, and therefore has not developed a coherent plan mitigate the accident and remediate the environment. Without a cohesive plan to deal with this ongoing problem of large scale radioactive contamination, the radioactivity will continue to spread throughout Japan and around the globe further exacerbating the problem and raising costs astronomically."

 

[ChatGPT]

Updates on Fukushima Fairewinds Associates - Arnie Gundersen - August 21, 2011 In a significant update regarding the Fukushima disaster, Arnie Gundersen, a nuclear engineer and co-founder of Fairewinds Associates, presented new findings that add alarming context to the ongoing situation at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant. This analysis relies on recently released neutron data from researchers at the University of California, San Diego, which substantiates earlier claims by Fairewinds regarding inadvertent criticality—meaning that nuclear chain reactions continued to occur in the reactors even after they were claimed to have been shut down by TEPCO.

Key Points from the Update:​

1. Inadvertent Criticality: The neutron data indicates that the nuclear core at Fukushima experienced periodic activations—essentially turning on and off—after the reactors were reportedly put in a safe state. This ongoing reaction has resulted in the release of significant amounts of radioactive material into the environment, posing grave risks to surrounding communities.
2. NRC Contradictions: Gundersen highlighted contradictions in the Nuclear Regulatory Commission's (NRC) reports. While the NRC stated that the spent fuel pools were unaffected by the crisis, Gundersen posited that plutonium found over a mile away likely originated from the reactors themselves. This suggests a possible failure of the containment systems, demanding a reevaluation of safety protocols for reactors in the U.S.
3. Radioactive Burning Practices: The Japanese government's controversial decision to burn radioactive debris—such as building materials and organic matter—has the potential to spread cesium far beyond previously contaminated zones. Gundersen expressed concern that this practice could reintroduce radiation into areas that had been considered clean, affecting not only Japan but potentially extending the contamination across the Pacific to North America.
4. Lack of Action: Throughout his commentary, Gundersen emphasized the Japanese government’s failure to recognize the severity of the contamination issue. He criticized the lack of a comprehensive strategy to address the ongoing fallout from the Fukushima disaster, warning that without decisive action, the ramifications would only worsen.

   Conclusion​

   Gundersen's update paints a grim picture of the situation at Fukushima, reiterating the need for transparency and effective action from the responsible authorities. With ongoing risks of radioactive exposure and environmental contamination, the Fukushima crisis continues to be a pressing international concern. For users interested in nuclear safety and environmental issues, this discussion may lead to broader conversations about energy policies and safety measures in nuclear reactor designs. What are your thoughts on the measures being taken in the aftermath of Fukushima? How can communities prepare for similar events in the future? Feel free to share your experiences or insights below!