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Fear of nuclear power is out of all proportion to the actual risks. Unlikely to kill anyone.
The Guardian ^ | 04/04/2011

Posted on 04/04/2011 7:56:47 PM PDT by SeekAndFind

Pollution from coal-fired power plants is responsible for more than 100,000 deaths per year, whereas the crisis at the Fukushima nuclear plant is unlikely to kill a single person.

People are getting nervous about nuclear power in the wake of the problems at the Fukushima nuclear power plant in Japan, questioning whether nuclear power is a sensible option for energy production in light of the perceived risks.

It has been three weeks since the earthquake and tsunami in Japan. There have been problems at the Fukushima plant with cooling, gas explosions (not nuclear), and radiation leaks – all serious issues, but so far no one has died. The earthquake and tsunami have killed more than 10,000 people.

In fact, the disaster shows how safe nuclear reactors actually are. Reactors designed half a century ago survived an earthquake many times stronger than they were designed to withstand, immediately going into shut-down (bringing driven nuclear reactions to a halt). But the radioactive products in the reactor keep decaying, producing heat, so they must be cooled.

The real problems began when the tsunami took out all the back-up generators that were meant to provide power to circulate the coolant. Loss of site power is the worst-case scenario for a nuclear power plant, so for Fukushima this was the worst crisis imaginable. New reactors have improved safety features, including passive systems that allow cooling to take place without power.

Radiation leaks are undoubtedly serious. But it is worth remembering that we are subjected to background radiation every day as a result of natural processes – some people more than others. Those living in UK areas with a lot of granite rocks, such as Cornwall, will have higher exposure than those who live somewhere like the Thames Valley.

(Excerpt) Read more at guardian.co.uk ...


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Japan; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: earthquake; fukushima; japan; nuclearpower
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1 posted on 04/04/2011 7:56:53 PM PDT by SeekAndFind
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To: SeekAndFind

About the author:

Dr Melanie Windridge is a freelance science communicator and academic visitor in nuclear fusion research at Imperial College London


2 posted on 04/04/2011 7:57:45 PM PDT by SeekAndFind
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To: SeekAndFind

“...the crisis at the Fukushima is unlikely to kill a single person.”

Haven’t five already died of radiation exposure?


3 posted on 04/04/2011 7:59:12 PM PDT by proudpapa
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To: SeekAndFind

Meanwhile,
http://www3.nhk.or.jp/daily/english/04_32.html

Radiation measurements have exceeded levels at which people are advised to stay indoors in a town outside the 30-kilometer radius of the damaged Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant
...
A nuclear expert has pointed out that the government should explain the details of the finding to the residents.


4 posted on 04/04/2011 7:59:59 PM PDT by RummyChick
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To: proudpapa

Never fear..GE will save the day

http://www3.nhk.or.jp/daily/english/04_24.html

Obama said so.....well... not really.


5 posted on 04/04/2011 8:01:37 PM PDT by RummyChick
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To: proudpapa

Yea, whoever wrote this is ignorant or is lying, both bring their credibility to 0 for me.


6 posted on 04/04/2011 8:01:43 PM PDT by IamCenny
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To: RummyChick

MEANWHILE :

Fukushima Radiation: Modeling Shows Limited Spread in Ocean

http://news.sciencemag.org/scienceinsider/2011/04/fukushima-radiation-modeling-shows.html?ref=hp


7 posted on 04/04/2011 8:02:23 PM PDT by SeekAndFind
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To: IamCenny

TEPCO said they will likely never be able to go into Reactor 3 again.

If it is so safe, that author should fly down there and go in for them.


8 posted on 04/04/2011 8:03:32 PM PDT by RummyChick
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To: proudpapa

From the Wall Street Journal :

Despite Worries, Experts Suggest Damage to Marine Life Is Contained

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704587004576242950653122000.html


9 posted on 04/04/2011 8:04:17 PM PDT by SeekAndFind
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To: RummyChick

Wind turbine by a power plant in Jaenschwalde, Germany

yitbos

10 posted on 04/04/2011 8:06:44 PM PDT by bruinbirdman ("Those who control language control minds." -- Ayn Rand)
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To: RummyChick

Help Support Japan’s economy and clean that ketchup off the floor

http://www.bonappetit.com/blogsandforums/blogs/badaily/2011/03/spilled-mayo-on-the-floor-ther.html


11 posted on 04/04/2011 8:07:28 PM PDT by RummyChick
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To: proudpapa

RE: Haven’t five already died of radiation exposure?


From what I have read, the 5 are dead from explosions, not radiation.

At Chernobyl, the first people that died from radiation died after 14 days. These people practically stood directly over the exposed reactor.

The people in Fukushoma have not died from radiation. Even if they have already gotten a lethal dose, it takes weeks to kill.

It’s a slow death if it were true.


12 posted on 04/04/2011 8:08:01 PM PDT by SeekAndFind
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To: SeekAndFind

I posted on another article that I live very close to such a plant. Everybody needs to take a deep breath. I have made no plans to move.


13 posted on 04/04/2011 8:09:11 PM PDT by He Rides A White Horse ((unite))
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To: SeekAndFind
Think they should take a few Geiger counters and walk them around any major American airport that has the 'TSA' state of the art, Security. . .
14 posted on 04/04/2011 8:09:52 PM PDT by cricket (Osama - NOT made in the USA. . . .and Obama, not made i)n the USA either.. .)
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To: He Rides A White Horse

I certainly would rather live next to a nuke plant than a coal plant or field of wind turbines.


15 posted on 04/04/2011 8:19:40 PM PDT by HerrBlucher ("It is terrible to contemplate how few politicians are hanged." G.K. Chesterton)
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To: HerrBlucher
I certainly would rather live next to a nuke plant than a coal plant or field of wind turbines.

Things happen; I'm not rattled in the least. Learn from it and apply it. That's really what should be done.

16 posted on 04/04/2011 8:34:36 PM PDT by He Rides A White Horse ((unite))
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To: HerrBlucher
I certainly would rather live next to a nuke plant than a coal plant or field of wind turbines.

Things happen; I'm not rattled in the least. Learn from it and apply it. That's really what should be done.

17 posted on 04/04/2011 8:35:09 PM PDT by He Rides A White Horse ((unite))
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To: HerrBlucher
See? I'll learn to be patient and post once. Just kidding, FR seems slow tonight on my end.
18 posted on 04/04/2011 8:37:17 PM PDT by He Rides A White Horse ((unite))
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To: SeekAndFind

It’s so safe, I am sure everyone here would not have a problem living their daily lives inside of the danger zone. /s

Ask the author too do it. I am sure he would decline. If not he s a damned fool.


19 posted on 04/04/2011 8:45:49 PM PDT by CSI007
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To: SeekAndFind

The future of nuclear is cold fusion.

How I Made Money from Cold Fusion
Saturday, January 23, 2010 12:28:49 PM · by Kevmo · 28 replies · 1,013+ views
Exclusive Article for Free Republic | 1/23/10 | Kevmo
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2435697/posts

HOW TO SAVE OUR ECONOMY
Friday, December 31, 2010 1:57:41 AM · by Kevmo · 40 replies The American Reporter ^ | December 29, 2010 | Joe Shea
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2649712/posts

Re-Analysis of the Marinov Light-Speed Anisotropy Experiment
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2270920/posts
Friday, June 12, 2009 11:25:41 PM · by Kevmo · 27 replies · 1,027+ views
http://arxiv.org/PS_cache/physics/pdf/0612/0612201v2.pdf ^ | Reginald T. Cahill

The Suppression of Inconvenient Facts in Physics
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2266921/posts
Sunday, June 07, 2009 7:50:26 PM · by Kevmo · 78 replies · 1,626+ views Suppressed Science.Net ^ | 12/06/08 | http://www.suppressedscience.net/

The End of Snide Remarks Against Cold Fusion
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2265914/posts
Friday, June 05, 2009 5:56:08 PM · by Kevmo · 95 replies · 1,770+ views
Free Republic, Gravitronics.net and Intrade ^ | 6/5/09 | kevmo, et al

‘Cold Fusion’ Rebirth? New Evidence For Existence Of Controversial Energy Source
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2212864/posts
Monday, March 23, 2009 12:42:14 PM · by FlameThrower · 35 replies · 1,586+ views
Science Daily ^ | Mar. 23, 2009 | American Chemical Society


20 posted on 04/04/2011 9:03:02 PM PDT by Kevmo (Turning the Party over to the so-called moderates wouldn't make any sense at all. ~Ronald Reagan)
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