Fukushima nuclear workers unsure of internal exposure levels due to equipment shortage

Barrett808

(1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore

Fri May-20-11 12:07 PM
Original message

Fukushima nuclear workers unsure of internal exposure levels due to equipment shortage

Nearly two months after the start of the crisis at the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant, only 10 percent of workers there had been tested for internal radiation exposure caused by inhalation or ingestion of radioactive substances, due to a shortage of testing equipment available for them. ...

A number of personnel working to overcome the nuclear crisis at the facility are increasingly alarmed by their lack of internal exposure testing. Some have said they may have to continue to work at the facility without knowing whether their radiation exposure levels have exceeded the upper limit set by the government. ...

"My measured value exceeded the standard value by a double-digit factor. That's never happened before," said a plant worker in his 20s, recalling the time he saw the results of a test he took outside Fukushima Prefecture in early May. ...

Fukushima nuclear workers unsure of internal exposure levels due to equipment shortage � �I�ve probably taken in radioactivity while eating�

Printer Friendly | Permalink | | Top

dixiegrrrrl

(1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore

Fri May-20-11 12:30 PM
Response to Original message

1. And yet, they continue to work there.

So having the correct equipment available was not part of any approved plan?
Wonder if there is a requirement about that for USA reactors?

( I know, I know, dumb question, in light of BP and the Gulf equipment issues)

Printer Friendly | Permalink | | Top

FBaggins

(1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore

Fri May-20-11 01:34 PM
Response to Original message

2. It isn't a shortage of equipment

It's a lack of it being "available" to them. It isn't available because the site is so contaminated. The machines are right there... they just can't give a valid reading. Internal dosimetry requires that the equipment be set up in an area that is otherwise pretty free of excess radiation.

Anyone with a external dose even coming close to the limits they're using for reporting does get their internal exposure measured, and it isn't necessary for anyone well below those limits because the internal exposure will necessarily be much lower than the external exposure (unless they're removing their gear around the plant and grazing on local vegetation?)

Printer Friendly | Permalink | | Top

Name removed

(0 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore

Sun May-22-11 02:42 AM
Response to Reply #2

3. Deleted message

Sub-thread removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

DU AdBot (1000+ posts)

Sat May 11th 2024, 08:37 PM
Response to Original message

Advertisements [?]

Top

Powered by DCForum+ Version 1.1 Copyright 1997-2002 DCScripts.com
Software has been extensively modified by the DU administrators

Important Notices: By participating on this discussion board, visitors agree to abide by the rules outlined on our Rules page. Messages posted on the Democratic Underground Discussion Forums are the opinions of the individuals who post them, and do not necessarily represent the opinions of Democratic Underground, LLC.