Japan: Spent Nuclear Fuel Denudation May Trigger Radioactive Release

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The denudation of spent fuel rods stored in pools of Japan’s nuclear plant Fukushima-1 may lead to uncontrolled radioactive emissions, Alexei Uvarov, editor-in-chief of the Russian independent analytical website Atominfo said on Thursday.

A series of blasts and fires damaged four of Fukushima’s six reactors after a 9.0-magnitude earthquake struck off the northeast coast of Japan last week, sparking a powerful tsunami and killing thousands.

“There are fears that damage in reactors number 3 and 4 may cause further destruction in their fuel assemblies, then uncontrolled radioactive emissions may begin,” the expert said.

Spent nuclear fuel is kept in pools with water for decades. According to most recent information provided by the World Nuclear Association, the spent fuel in Fukushima-1 is destructed and not being doused with water. The high level of radiation near Fukushima proves this.

A water cannon was called in to hose down the Fukushima’s ü3 reactor, which allegedly contains uranium and plutonium fuel. High levels of radiation prevent police from using water cannons to douse the overheated reactor, NHK TV said on Thursday.

The death toll from the disaster has risen to 5,429 people and 9,594 are listed as missing, police said.

Ria Novosti

RIA Novosti was Russia's leading news agency in terms of multimedia technologies, website audience reach and quoting by the Russian media.

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