Fukushima nuclear disaster now a meltdown.

In an earlier post I expressed the misgivings,and,trepidations,about nuclear power that the disaster in Fukushima have raised in my mind. Now comes word that -at least one-and possibly more- rector cores have melted through their steel containment vessels!

According to the U.K Guardian....

"The radioactive core in a reactor at the crippled Fukushima nuclear power plant appears to have melted through the bottom of its containment vessel and on to a concrete floor, experts say, raising fears of a major release of radiation at the site."

This is very serious news indeed,and,only serves to reinforce the doubts I have about the current technology being used in the nuclear power in our water cooled heavy water reactors! True this -as of yet-is not on a par with Chernobyl-it is all the same-a very grave and dangerous situation that threatens to affect- God forbid- a large area around the Fukishima nuclear complex for years to come.

Consider thus quote from the Guardian article...

  "The reason we are concerned is that they are detecting water outside the containment area that is highly radioactive and it can only have come from the reactor core," Lahey added. "It's not going to be anything like Chernobyl, where it went up with a big fire and steam explosion, but it's not going to be good news for the environment."

Living within fifty miles of a nuclear reactor myself I can only imagine what could happen if some unforeseen disaster-say an f 5 tornado-were to cause a situation like this at that reactor. I might well be told to evacuate from the home and land I have lived on for forty years and never be able to return!

I'm trying to keep an open mind about nuclear power but is getting harder and harder to do.If this nation decides to pursue the expansion of this energy source I hope we will at least look toward newer-less threatening ideas such as thorium reactors or pebble bed reactors.

We must also have a sweeping review of all safety practices,procedures,as well as ,backup systems at all of our current and future reactors. We simply cannot afford to have this kind of catastrophe happen on American soil.