Major Accident at Nuclear Power Plant in Japan

According to Arato, (2014) this accident occurred on March 11th, 2011 in Japan. A strong earthquake following by a tsunami occurred causing reactors to cool. This caused used fuel to cool resulting in failure of Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plants. This incidence triggered a release of radioactive material. The disaster happened once in numerous reactors, and the disaster majorly is still ongoing. The accident occurred in chronological reactions. Immediately after the earthquake occurred, a test was done and found that the reactor was leaking. A short while, due to the cooling systems fails fuel melted. The melted fuel accumulated at the base of reactor pressure vessel.

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After two days of fuel meltdown, an explosion, and a leak followed. Radioactive white steam at this time was seen from buildings. Months after the disaster occurrence, the melt substances lie as lava on the floors of the reactor buildings. Furthermore, due to loss of coolant, reactor more reactor three faces complete meltdown. During that incidence, enormous explosive produced massive radioactive products which were distributed in the northwest by the wind (Bortz, 2012)

Later on, Bortz, (2012) argues that, the rooftop was blown away, and leakage began from the fuel pond. Years after, through authorities, a recovery was to be made. However, the mechanisms used failed. Then a different device was used.The authorities later discover, reactor 2 was highly radioactive with water, and since the water was from the reactor to the ocean, the water was exposure to radiation sickness. Its effects could be recognised worldwide. The marine organisms were exposed to contaminated water.

Nuclear power plants, its soundings contain substantial that are highly contaminated and this lead to permanent resettlement. The evacuation process began on the second day of the disaster. Those who were to evacuate lived 20 kilometers radius around the plants. On the fifth day, those lived 20 and 30 kilometres around the plant were told to leave. Three weeks after te incidence, anyone living beyond 30 miles said to leave at their pleasure. Unluckily, those were evacuating went to the northern side were wind was blowing to deporting the contaminants (Bortz, 2012).

Effects of the accident

On the occurrence of the crash, it leaves many dead while others were injured. It causes diseases related to radiation. Such as circulatory failure.The accident caused people who were living at the soundings of the plant to resettle because the surrounding areas were contaminated. Due to the radiations, DNA of the affected changed resulting in the birth of physically challenged children.

Nuclear wastes and its threats

There are numerous dangers of these nuclear wastes. The risks include; the long half life which means the product of nuclear reaction continues to be radioactive and thus hazardous. Another challenge up to today is on where to store the nuclear wastes (University of Michigan, 2004).

Disposal of the nuclear wastes is a threat on animals and plants life. In a case when the sealed drums containing the wastes leaks, the lives are affected. The wastes are carcinogenic and have a potential of causing cancerous growth.

The residues cause the accident in that, the wastes can be spread to unintended areas by the wind and contaminates water. The water affects animals leaving in the waters and can also contaminate the drinking water.

Scavenging is another effect brought by the nuclear waste. People, when to go scavenging, may expose themselves willingly to these hazards while after money. The danger comes in when one exposed can affect the others who did not go scavenging. This problem mainly affects people in the developing world.

Additionally, transporting these wastes may result in problems. If the ship crashes, then the spills can have an impact on a wider area.

More on that, the wastes have health effects. The largest concern is the adverse effects posed due to exposure to the radiation. Radiation has a possibility of causing DNA changes. Lastly, the exercise of cleaning the wastes in case spills occurs is very expensive.

References

Arato, R. (2014). Fukushima Nuclear Disaster.

Bortz, F. (2012). Meltdown!: The nuclear disaster in Japan and our energy future.

University of Michigan, U. (2004). Radiation Effects in Nuclear Waste Materials. Washington, D.C: United States. Dept. of Energy. Environmental Management Science Program.