Japan's Radiation Leak Underestimated

News that radiation from Japan's tsunami-damaged Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant was worse than originally estimated has raised questions about the government's early handling of the crisis. Government officials now estimate the amount of radiation released by the plant in the first week was roughly double the original estimate, and was between 20% and 40% of the amount released by the Chernobyl disaster. Three of the plant's nuclear reactors suffered a core meltdown in the days following the tsunami and earthquake on March 11.

Again, the people of Japan need assistance and help in overcoming this tragedy. Dealing with both the tsunami's impact and that of the damaged nuclear plant are tremendous burdens for the people. We should give what we can to relief organizations involved in recovery efforts.

More Troubling News at Fukushima

While the nuclear crisis at the Fukushima Daiichi power plant continues, the plant owner, Tokyo Electric Power Co. (TEPCO) faces estimates of at least $12 billion to safely close and decommission the facility. Adding to TEPCO's damaged image is the information that their disaster readiness plan was woefully inadequate.

The latest information from the International Atomic Energy Agency indicates that very high levels of radioactivity are being found many kilometers from the plant, and that uncontrolled chain reactions may be occurring in Building 1. It's hard to imagine a worse scenario: failed nuclear facility on the shores of the Pacific, nuclear fuel burning and sending radioactivity into the atmosphere and sea. We can only hope that the heroic efforts of the plant staff and firefighters stem the tide.