No increase in radiation level, DOST-PNRI assures public
14 Mar 2011 Leave a Comment
in Uncategorized Tags: dost, japan, leak, nuclear, pnri, re4teraker
Department of Science and Technology Secretary Mario Montejo assured the public that, based on DOST’s Philippine Nuclear Research Institute’s routine daily radioactivity monitoring in the environment, the level of radiation in the environment in the country has remained stable since the Fukushima incident in Japan.“DOST-PNRI is closely monitoring developments through its 24-hour link up with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA),” Sec. Montejo said.
No increase in radiation level means that, as of the moment, there are no immediate effects of the March 11 Fukushima nuclear power plant explosion to the Philippines. DOST-PNRI Director Alumanda dela Rosa also cited a plume trajectory study provided by DOST-PAGASA showing that the plume from the site of the incident at Fukushima will not pass the Philippine territory as of March 14, 2011. “The direction of the smoke appears to go away from the direction of the country,” Dr. dela Rosa explained. “The smoke is carried away by the northeast monsoon (amihan).”
Containment remains intact at Fukushima Daiichi Units 1, 2 and 3, according to Sec. Montejo, quoting reports from the IAEA. “The design of the Fukushima reactor is different from that of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant,” explained Montejo. “In the event of a meltdown at Fukushima, the melted fuel is expected to stay within the stainless steel containment, preventing its release to the environment.”
The Chernobyl power plant did not have a reactor building concrete shield and steel containment, he added.In a report from the IAEA, Unit 1 reactor at the Fukushima Daiichi plant occurred outside the primary containment vessel (PCV), not inside. The plant operator, Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO), has confirmed that the integrity of the primary containment vessel remains intact. To limit damage to the reactor core, Japan’s Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency (NISA) approved the injection of sea water mixed with boric acid into the primary containment vessel. Boric acid absorbs neutrons to prevent reactor criticality.
NISA has likewise confirmed the presence of radioactive elements cesium-137 and iodine-131 in the vicinity of Fukushima Daiichi Unit 1. NISA reported an initial increase in levels of radioactivity around the plant earlier today, but these levels have been observed to lessen in recent hours. The DOST-PNRI’s National Radiological Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan puts in place an organized emergency response facility for a timely, coordinated action of the Philippine authorities in the event of a radiological emergency, Dir. Dela Rosa also said.The DOST-PNRI is closely monitoring developments at Fukushima every six hours and maintains a 24-hour link-up with the IAEA.
For more detailed information on the Fukushima event, pls. call DOST-PNRI Director Alumanda dela Rosa at 929 4719 and 920 8738. (Framelia V. Anonas, S&T Media Service)
