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Japanese nuclear plant halts operation to clean contaminated water because of a rapid rise in radiation

 Officials at Japan’s Fukushima nuclear plant suspended an operation to clean contaminated water hours after it had begun because of a rapid rise in radiation.

Tokyo Electric Power Co (Tepco), which operates the tsunami-hit Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant, is investigating the cause and could not say when the clean-up will resume, company spokesman [lying sack-of-sh*t] Junichi Matsumoto said.

Fresh water is being pumped in to cool damaged reactor cores, and is becoming contaminated in the process. Around 105,000 tonnes of highly radioactive water have pooled across the plant, and could overflow within a couple of weeks if action is not taken.

In earlier tests, the water treatment system reduced caesium levels in the water to about one ten-thousandth of their original levels. The system began full operations on Friday after a series of problems involving leaks and valve flaws.

The system was suspended in early Saturday when workers detected a sharp radiation increase in the system’s caesium-absorbing component, Matsumoto said. Radioactivity in one of 24 cartridges, which was expected to last for a few weeks, had already reached its limit within five hours, he said. . .  (more)

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/jun/18/fukushima-halts-water-decontamination

related :  Fukushima I Nuke Plant: Kurion’s System Was Stopped At the Very First “Skid”

http://ex-skf.blogspot.com/2011/06/fukushima-i-nuke-plant-kurions-system_18.html

Elevated radiation levels widespread in eastern Japan

Unsafe levels of radioactive contamination have been reported from multiple sources throughout vast areas of eastern Japan in locations far away from the Fukushima nuclear power plant.
Science Magazine cites data from the prefectural government of Iwate revealing radioactive cesium has traveled over 100 miles away from Fukushima. Pastoral grasses are contaminated beyond safety standards
Japanese scientists have begun to track background radiation levels independently, according to the magazine’s report. Levels are exceeding acceptable safety limits in many locations.

http://www.smartplanet.com/blog/intelligent-energy/elevated-radiation-levels-widespread-in-eastern-japan/7160 

An official with the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) says Japan has not come up with a full investigation into the crisis-hit nuclear plant in Fukushima prefecture.

Document Shows Tepco Took 16-Plus Hours To Begin Venting Process

5.9 magnitude earthquake strikes eastern Japan

Tennessee to get a 6-Reactor nuke complex soon.