Nuclear Fallout

I am trying to understand the today's situation in Japan near the nuclear power plant vis-a-vis graphics as given by Sue at 61. Further lot of people have tried to say today's technology (what India will get from now on)- is basically like hydrogen bomb and no hazardous radiation will be involved even there is a catastrophic accident of some kind!!

Today, Tuesday 22nd March, 2 more explosions were reported and efforts to avoid melt down seem to have failed. I understand that food, milk water etc are contaminated

So can some experts tell- what is the short term and long term effect of those living within say 10 kms, 20 kms, 30 kms or 50 kms from this nuclear power station? The graphic illustration may be alright - under normal conditions- not when accident of this nature has taken place.

As far as India is concerned - no one has forgotten the gas leak from Union carbide factory in Bhopal which left nearly 30 000 or more dead within about 3 to 4 kms of the factory and many have health problems even for 2 nd generation(those born to parents who had inhaled poisonous gas, but survived). US may say- tehy will continue to support India's nuclear programme- but are Indian's going to buy this promise?

I'd just like to point out that, although the detrimental effects of both the tsunami and the nuclear plant event will be evident far into the future, thousands of people are dead or missing because of the tsunami. How many are dead or missing because of hydrogen explosions, not radiation, at Fukushima?

Just a dumb question, and probably will get a smart answer. If nuclear facilities are so dangerous, why are they built in the middle of cities and towns? Or are people so dumb to build their home so close to these plants? Does the Govt. warn these people about the dangers? Why aren't these plants built far away in the desert or far away in the ocean or deep on earth? Dig a big hole on the ground and build 12 feet thick walls around them? I live about 200 miles from the San Onofre Power Plant. Should I be concern about a mishap?

• San Onofre Plant Safety: Straight answers to questions about plant performance and safety.
• Nuclear Industry Safety: The industry's unequalled safety record - 50 years of commercial operation without a single radiological injury to workers or the public.

I dunno. Should you be concerned? Were you concerned two weeks ago (prior to the Japanese tsunami)?

As a matter of fact, yes, way before that. I used to drive south to San Diego many times and when I passed the Power Plant on the Freeway, I always thought what would happen if the plant exploded? I am not a Nuclear expert by a long, long shot, but reading and seeing news about Nuclear Power Plant Disasters. I would worry.

Thanks for the info.

But apparently, you weren't concerned enough to not drive by the power plant.

No, I did not worry enough, just like everybody else that would feel like I did. Perhaps they did not even thought about or cared. I used to live in L.A. and the closest and easiest way to get to San Diego was the I-5. I don't know where you live or where you are from, but for people living in L.A. that is main commute. I don't live in L.A. anymore, so I don't travel that route anymore if I don't have to. Was that a trick question you asked?

As i said in post 5 the spin doctors are out and about whatever you do dont disagree or ask questions, trust that they know what they are talking about.Trust the information put out is factual and DO NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCE DISAGREE WITH THEM.

Got yah!! spin doctors..sure....right! ok?!

No it wasn't a trick question. I inferred from your previous post that you were concerned about radiation from nuclear power plants prior to the incident in Japan. Or at least you claim that you were. My question was more to point out that your actions do not match your words.

If were really concerned, you would have taken an alternate route.

So apparently it did not concern you all that much.

I did not say that I was concerned about radiation. I said that what would happen in a mishap in general. Not that it would happen at the moment I was passing by the plant but a mishap that would affect the surroundings. And about taking an alternate route? No I did not. I guess (not knowingly) I am a thrill seeker just like the thousands of people that travel down the I-5 every single day. Why do people build their homes so close to a volcano, to the ocean, on the hillside or at the edge of a deep gorge? I guess there is a sense of adventure is in all or some of us as humans.

Another thing is that for the thousands of people traveling on the I-5 don't even stop or even know that there is Nuclear Power Plant there! They go so fast that they don't care to look around. Some people don't even know what a nuclear power plant looks like. To be truthful, I did not know myself until some time later.

Okay....my misunderstanding.

I've driven I-5 before. I know what you mean.

I'm not sure people build homes close to a volcano or the ocean because they are thrill seekers, but because those places tend to be quite beautiful places to live _{...until Mother Nature gets angry}

It's ok, I admit that sometimes I get myself all tangled up trying to explain things..sorry!

And you are right natural surroundings are beautiful and calm, but we must remember "We Can Not Fool Mother Nature". We owe it some respect.

Thank you very much for your input on the subject.

Let us be very practical. The following is today's report. This is reality. Given this - Will India really accept US promise of nuclear energy? There was a very serious debate in Indian Parliament on Nuclear Liability bill (in the background of Gas tragedy from Union Carbide plant at Bhopal). Sattistics giving rosy picture will not help.

Radiation in Tokyo water; U.S. curbs Japan food imports

http://ca.reuters.com/article/topNews/idCATRE72A0SS20110323

By Mayumi Negishi and Kazunori Takada | Reuters - 2 hours 59 minutes ago

• Related content

• Radiation in Tokyo water; U.S. curbs Japan food imports

TOKYO (Reuters) - Japanese authorities advised against allowing infants to drink tap water in Tokyo due to raised radiation levels and the United States became the first nation to block some food imports from Japan .

The crisis at the tsunami-smashed nuclear power plant, 250 km (150 miles) north of the Japanese capital, appeared far from over with workers attempting to gain control ordered to leave the site after black smoke began rising from one of its six reactors.

The plant was crippled by a 9.0 magnitude earthquake and tsunami on March 11. Some 23,000 people have been left dead or missing.

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