Fukushima Nuclear Plant Situation "Worsened Considerably" Says Think Tank

[Cheryl Nelson]

http://english.kyodonews.jp/news/2011/03/78374.html

"The situation at the quake-hit Fukushima No. 1 nuclear plant in northeastern Japan ''has worsened considerably,'' the Institute for Science and International Security said in a statement released Tuesday.

Referring to fresh explosions that occurred earlier in the day at the site and problems in a pool storing spent nuclear fuel rods, the Washington-based think tank said, ''This accident can no longer be viewed as a level 4 on the International Nuclear and Radiological Events scale that ranks events from 1 to 7.''

"Noting that a level 4 incident involves ''only local radiological consequences,'' it said the ongoing crisis is ''now closer to a level 6, and it may unfortunately reach a level 7'' -- a worst case scenario with extensive health and environmental consequences."

[Cheryl Nelson]

It was a heroic effort.  Probably many of the workers are going to suffer adverse health for their heroism.

[Allan Love Jr]

MELTDOWN.

Workers are abandoning the reactor plants due to high levels of radiation levels.