Questions and answers about Japan's nuclear plant crisis

Engineers and scientists know how to find a solutions to guarantee everyone safe. Don't give up, Japan.

Thanks for this information, really needed.

I love this:

So what is the worst-case scenario?

The attempts to cool the reactors fail, resulting in meltdowns and widespread radioactive contamination. If that occurs, everyone will be hoping the wind blows east, into the Pacific, as it usually does.

This is to say that the health of millions of people is going to depend on how the wind blows if all else fails. So much for the vaunted safety of nuclear power generation and to the safety standards of Tepco.

I also love the non-answer to "Why was the official announcement made late Sunday about something that occurred Friday?" The real answer is that the company and officials were trying to cover the facts until it was impossible to do so.

This is not unusual.

The BBC's Richard Black ("Huge blast at Japan nuclear power plant," 12 March 2011) notes:

As with its counterparts in many other countries, Japan's nuclear industry has not exactly been renowned for openness and transparency. Tepco itself has been implicated in a series of cover-ups down the years. In 2002, the chairman and four other executives resigned, suspected of having falsified safety records at Tepco power stations. Further examples of falsification were identified in 2006 and 2007.

Nuclear power generation is dirty and dangerous and should be phased out. End of discussion.