The Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Disaster for Dummies

Apparently I was living under a rock for the past year or so. The reason I say this is because I had no idea about the nuclear disaster Japan experienced in March of last year. I am proud to say I did make it out of my cozy home under the rock a little bit because I did know about the tsunami that struck there but still, I knew nothing about the nuclear disaster that occurred soon after this. This blog entry aims to simplify what occurred during the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Disaster for those of you who are like me and had no clue!

WHERE? At the Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant in Japan.

Above is an aerial view of the plant with 6 numbered reactors.

WHEN? In March of 2011; soon after the Tohuku earthquake and tsunami.

WHAT? The power plant experienced equipment failure resulting in the release of radioactive materials.

WHY? After the earthquake the reactors in use on the plant shutdown. At this point the emergency generators came on. AKA they were still in good shape. But, after the tsunami hit the reactors connection to the power supply was broken and it all went downhill from there. After the connection to power was broken the reactors began to overheat consequently causing the reactors that were in use (1,2,3) to experience complete meltdowns.

At this point the main goal of the workers was to try to cool the malfunctioning reactors. Despite their early efforts a hydrogen explosion occurred. After this explosion the Japanese government became scared that radioactive materials would soon be released. They ordered evacuations around the plant and ordered ordered that an attempt be made in which ocean water would be used to cool down the reactors. This attempt completely ruined the reactors.

As aforementioned due to this nuclear disaster many people in areas around the plant were evacuated from their homes. Reports estimate that there were as many as 160,000 displaced people as a result of these evacuation. Additionally, because of the radioactive material that was released, not only into the air but into the ground and water as well, there is concern that there will be long term consequences. These include concern that the radioactive material will cause cancer and have lasting psychological effects on the individuals exposed to it. Another problem this disaster has caused is with food and water supplies in the area. The supplies have been contaminated and destroyed.

Japan has also received harsh criticism not because this disaster occurred but for their efforts after the fact. Many say that they did not do a sufficient job in communicating what was actually going on to the public. (Maybe that’s why I didn’t know about it??!) Also, it appears as if they were trying to cover things up and make the disaster appear to be not as bad as it actually was. A prime example of this would be how initially they rated the disaster as a 4 on the International Nuclear Event Scale (NES). But, later it was rated a 7 on the scale which is the highest number on the scale.