Canary in a Coalmine

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Fukushima Nuclear Crisis Update

For the first time since the March nuclear disaster, a select group of journalists was allowed to tour J-Village, the former sports complex being used by as many as 3,300 TEPCO employees involved in cleanup efforts at the Fukushima nuclear plant. The compound’s 12 soccer fields now house sleeping facilities for 1,000 workers, helipads, decontamination areas, and a medical center, as well as a cafeteria and laundry. The complex also stores nuclear waste in the form of used protective clothing and safety gear. Currently, almost half a million sets of radioactive gear is being stored there. Workers are checked daily for radiation exposure and receive a whole body counter (WBC) exam monthly. The facility provides a sharp contrast to workers’ living conditions in the months immediately following the accident, when workers slept on floors and were given only a biscuit for breakfast and a bowl of noodles for dinner. One worker said, “Conditions have gotten better but it’s still tough.”

(source Greenpeace)

Filed under Fukushima nuclear pollution environment nuclear disaster Japan

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Fukushima City kids should not have to choose between radiation and education The children of Fukushima City are due to return to their schools this week despite the continued contamination of school buildings by radiation from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant. The Greenpeace radiation monitoring team surveyed a high school, preschool, and childcare centre, along with several public areas in Fukushima City, and discovered high radiation rates at one school where they authorities had already carried out decontamination work. This is the challenge for incoming Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda. He must move quickly to secure people’s health, homes and livelihoods. Then he must secure his country’s future by abandoning nuclear technology, and moving towards a future powered by renewable energy. Japan’s parliament made the first move on this on Friday, but voting in a crucial and landmark renewable energy bill. This bill gives Mr Noda the chance to move Japan away from the risky and expensive nuclear path, to protect Japan’s economy and the future for its people, and show the world what a true energy revolution looks like. (source greenpeace)

Fukushima City kids should not have to choose between radiation and education

The children of Fukushima City are due to return to their schools this week despite the continued contamination of school buildings by radiation from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant.

The Greenpeace radiation monitoring team surveyed a high school, preschool, and childcare centre, along with several public areas in Fukushima City, and discovered high radiation rates at one school where they authorities had already carried out decontamination work.

This is the challenge for incoming Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda. He must move quickly to secure people’s health, homes and livelihoods. Then he must secure his country’s future by abandoning nuclear technology, and moving towards a future powered by renewable energy. Japan’s parliament made the first move on this on Friday, but voting in a crucial and landmark renewable energy bill. This bill gives Mr Noda the chance to move Japan away from the risky and expensive nuclear path, to protect Japan’s economy and the future for its people, and show the world what a true energy revolution looks like.

(source greenpeace)

Filed under Fukushima nuclear waste japan radiation contamination energy energy revolution