Susan ... that's an interesting question. It should be important to us in the USA, because how do we know that we won't have one of these incidents in the future?

Here are a few steps that I think would be constructive:

1) There should be an independent nuclear monitoring team that goes into action as soon as a nuclear power plant has any kind of emergency. This team should NOT be affiliated with the Gov't or with the power company running the actual plant. It should have the capability to measure radiation levels in air, water, and soil/vegeation, and to report this data directly to the public. It also should have members who have an engineering background who can review procedures taken at the plant, and report these objectively to outside authorities. These steps would provide valuable info to the public.

2) Nuclear reactors in the USA (and elsewhere) should be fitted with extra monitoring equipment to measure temps, radiation levels (incl. in coolant water), and TV cameras ... consistent with what is required for a nuclear accident. It is apparent that the existing equipment is designed to monitor the reactor during normal operation, but there is a lack of data if the reactor has a serious accident. However, that situation is exactly when everyone needs more accurate data. This loophole needs to be fixed.

3) Nuclear reactors should also be fitted with a "black box" device that records all the operational data, but will survive a serious accident and be able to relay the data to an outside source through a radio connection. This kind of re-creation of events could be very helpful when experts are trying to work out the precise details of how things went wrong inside reactors. We have "black boxes" for deciphering data from airplane accidents - we need them for nuclear accidents as well.

As far a Fukushima is concerned ... it's already at a Level-6 emergency. IMO, they need to seal the reactors just like Chernobyl. It's time for serious concrete. Best way to bring it in? If I were them, I'd look at an option for a crane-mounted boom that holds a concrete delivery hose. Just pump in tons and tons of wet concrete. I think it's time to get the workers out of there. Concrete may not fix every problem over there, but it will fix a lot of the radiation escape problems.

UPDATE: Article showing that Fukushima may be emitting radiation levels that are 50-60% of what Chernobyl put out. This is food for thought, given that today's press is stating that a reactor leak may now be underway. This does not sound like a problem that is subsiding.

http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn20...byl-levels.html

Pete #2