Jcjeant - there are newer and safer reactor designs than Fukushima (being used in Japan and other countries). In 40 years the technology has made quite a few advances. With Fukushima, the fuel rods were automatically withdrawn from the reactor core and the nuclear reaction has been stopped (unlike what happened in Chernobyl). However, due to the heat produced by natural radioactive decay the rods continue to produce large amounts of heat for some time. This means that even when the reactor has been shut down, coolant must still be circulated at all times to avoid overheating. The coolant circulation pumps and backups failed and the reactor coolant did overheat. More modern reactors have a design that allows sufficient cooling of heat produced by natural decay without the need for the circulation pumps to work. Meaning that this problem would not have happened.
Cortilla - The Earths core is something that scientists are still theorising on (Dynamo Theory, Georeactor etc.). As you are being pedantic - there is not actually a fusion reaction but the core is highly radioactive and the heat is due to radioactive decay. The point being that radiation and nuclear reactions are part of everyday nature and essential to our planet sustaining life. We are all being constantly exposed to the earths background radiation and always have been. Those living in parts of Cornwall (which has high level of natural radioactivity) are probably exposed more than those living in Fukushima during the last few days.
Basil - that dose is over an hour and if outside close to the source at the worst time (ie. during the steam leak). Not good but not especially bad considering all the pollution and chemicals we expose ourselves to daily.
Last edited by Pelikanpete; 15th Mar 2011 at 13:15.