...Fukushima Radiation Causes Growing National Concern: Time for New EPA Policy Eric Zoppi 3279672 2 December 2013 On March 11th, 2011 the Tōhoku earthquake and the resulting tsunami wreaked havoc upon Japan. Unfortunately, this natural disaster resulted in the largest nuclear disaster since Chernobyl, as the tsunami crippled the Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant. Following this severe breach in security, numerous radioactive isotopes and radioactive particles were released into the environment, specifically the Pacific Ocean and the surrounding air/atmosphere, thus contaminating groundwater, soil and seawater, as well as effectively shutting down a myriad of Japanese fisheries. The ocean and air mainly came in contact with high levels of Iodine-131, Cesium-137, and Cesium-134, as well as lower levels of Tellurium, Uranium, and Strontium, which were concentrated closer to the surrounding area of the nuclear power plant. However, the impact that these radioactive materials will have upon the United States, in particular, has caused quite the national controversy. Despite heavy national acceptance of the occurrence of the disaster, two popular and opposing hypotheses have formed as a result of the Media’s lack of focus on recent analyses of the impending effects of Fukushima Disaster upon the U.S.: (1) the radioactive material that leaked as a result of the TEPCO nuclear power plant failure will not have a drastic, threatening...
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...has the need of free neutrons that are only present within a working receptacle. If not, then there is only radioactive growth and this radioactivity cannot spread by contamination, like fire or disease. In a severe nuclear accident in a common area, the heat unleashed by this perish can put an end to a reactor. A lot of people who get radiation treatment have skin changes and some weakness. Other side effects depend on the part of your body being cured. Skin changes may include dryness, burning, peeling, or blistering. These changes take place because radiation therapy compensates healthy skin cells in the treatment area. In 2011 about 19,000 people were lost...
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...assist them in the most effective way. Table of Contents Objective 1 Introduction 3 Corporate Summary 3 Crisis Background 4 Oct Year 2004 & July 2007 4 Mar 2011 – Current 4 Impact from the Crisis 6 Analyse the Tokyo Electric Power Company, Incorporated (TEPCO) 7 SWOT Analysis 7 Strength 7 Weakness 8 Opportunities 9 Threat 10 Criteria in Success 12 Conclusion 13 Resources: 14 Introduction Corporate Summary Figure 1.1.1 – Company logo Tokyo Electricity Power Company (TEPCO) is an electricity utility and was established in 1st May 1951. TEPCO is the fourth power company in Asia, operation 17 nuclear reactors and supplying one-third of Japan’s electricity. The first nuclear unit at Fukushima Dai-Chi (Fukushima) nuclear power plant began operational generation on 26th March 1971. During 1980s and 1990s, the widespread use of air-conditional and IT/OA appliances caused a gap between day and night electricity demands. In order to reduce surplus generation capacity and increase capacity utilization, TEPCO developed pumped storage hydroelectricity power plants and promoted thermal storage units. In 2009, TEPCO is expected to play a key role in achieving Japan's targets for reduced carbon dioxide emissions under the Kyoto Protocol. TEPCO launched an extensive sales promotion campaign called “switch”, promoting all-electric housing in order to...
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...Discuss the Fukushima incident in the context of Globalisation Globalisation is a continuous practice, which advances the affiliation between countries through methods such as the use of technology and the decrease in the barriers of trade, which enables financial and investment markets to operate internationally. (International business environments and operations 2011) The Fukushima incident became an international catastrophe on March 11th 2011 when three reactors at the fifteen largest power plant the Dai-ichi nuclear power plant in north Fukushima, exploded after the back-up electrical systems were flooded; this triggered the reactors to overheat and subsequently caused the explosions. This allowed radiation to escape from the reactor chambers. Due to the explosions the plants were left unable to produce any nuclear energy, it also had an effect on a range of exports including shipping and the food industry due to the contamination of these products, causing huge problems for the Japanese economy as it was unable to export goods to other economies whose countries were unable to receive the goods. (International Financial Law Review,2011), Countries such as the US, Hong Kong and China are amongst the most likely to be affected by the nuclear impact on Japan’s food industry as they will need to find alternative exporters of food products such as leaf vegetables, spinach and milk. This is because these products have been affected by the radiation; therefore to prevent...
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...People have turned to using nuclear power, however, when reactors malfunction, they negatively affect the environment and the human race. Fukushima and Chernobyl are examples of reactors malfunctioning and affecting the world around them. While both were rated a seven out of seven on the International Nuclear and Radiological Event Scale (INES), they had drastically different causes and effects. In 1986, workers conducted a test on the unit four reactor without taking necessary safety precautions, resulting in explosions that almost destroyed it. The reactor was a RBMK-1000 which is a graphite moderated pressure tube type reactor. Its fuel was slightly enriched uranium dioxide (2% U-235). Thirty operators and firemen were killed within three...
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...The Fukushima accident was a compounding disaster that followed a strong earthquake and huge tsunami that left hundreds of thousands dead and unaccountable displaced and some presumed still missing. There have been efforts to rebuild the lives of the affected people by building temporary houses and offering medical help. The current status of reconstruction is providing health and living support, restoration of towns and houses, revising industry and livelihoods and Revitalizing and reconstruction of Fukushima; the most affected areas. In consideration of the severity of the accident, the rescuers tried to control the direct effects of the radiation. Evacuated residents suffered serious mental and physical health effects and mostly adults suffered...
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...significant role in today’s world. It can also affect many peoples’ lives. It makes life easier and more efficient. However in today’s world, there are some who have considered about the danger it may cause. People have started destroying our environment by using destructive weapons to defeat and lead with possession. There is dangerous equipment which had been manufactured throughout the world. Nuclear weapon is one of the most destructive weapons ever made which could really destroy the world in just a moment. It can cause a big effect in our lives as well to our environment. Radiation is an environmental hazard that people tend to worry about only when it is artificially produced (Schneider 336). When atoms combine it can causes a radiation which will affect molecules, cells and tissues. However there are some who think of biological effects of radiation on human body. The atoms unite through a process called ionization. So the biological effects begin with the result of radiation combining with the atoms which develops cells. There are several sources of radiation. In fact, It can be found everywhere. The homes which we live by contain amount of radioactive elements that decay into a chemical element called radon gas. It can leak into our homes which. It can also be found mostly in industry to control measuring equipment. Radiation comes from natural or artificial resources. However it was commonly found in natural resources. Artificial radiation comes from medical examination...
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...On March 11th 2011 a magnitude 9.0 earthquake known as the Great East Japan Earthquake struck off the east coast of japan. It sparked a level 7 nuclear meltdown at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant, according to the International Nuclear Event scale (INES) it remains one of the most severe accidents in history. The Nuclear Accident Independent Investigation Commission (NAIC) concludes the meltdown at Fukushima Daiichi was preventable, deeming it as a “manmade” disaster. On the other hand, several organizations, including Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO), claim the incident was caused by "unprecedented natural disasters" and therefore was inescapable due to the unpredictability of the weather. Throughout this essay will attempt to answer the question: Did Tokyo Electric Power Company take appropriate safety precautions at Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant, or was the nuclear meltdown preventable? In order to assess whether or not TEPCO was at fault for the accident at Fukushima we must first acknowledge what happened when the Great East Japan Earthquake struck, and therefore discus the...
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...magnitude of 9.0 on the Richter scale. Following that massive earthquake was second and even more destructive force, a tsunami causing massive and irremediable damage to the nuclear reactors of a nuclear power plant called Fukushima, which released harmful radiation elements and substances into the environment. The tsunami devastated Aomori an area located about 30 miles east of City of Tokyo. The devastating and far reaching results of this earthquake and tsunami included: * Approximately 20,000 people were killed * Approximately 750,000 homes were destroyed and vanished * The industrial facilities of this region which were extensive and included production plants for the steel industry, consumer electronics, automotive industrial parks, and petrochemicals plants * And arguably the most long term devastation came from the leakage of nuclear material from the Fukushima Nuclear Power Plan The International Nuclear Event Scale (INES) ranked the disaster of the Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant at a level 7. This was the same rating the agency gave to the 1986 Chernobyl nuclear disaster. The release of the radioactive material, waste products, and chemicals included vast amounts of hydrochloric acid, chromium, and ammonia tanks. Effects on Agriculture and Stock Animals The Japanese Pharmaceutical and Food Safety Bureau released their report that documented manufacturing facilities suffered extreme tsunami damage. There were reports that entire industry sized...
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...have been two Nuclear power plant accidents they range from the past to the future. One is the Chernobyl disaster that appeared in 1986 and the Fukushima Daiichi disaster that happened in 2011. As read this essay briefly you will read about both disasters and how they both drew a conclusion about the risk and rewards of the nuclear energy. On April 26th, 1986 the Chernobyl disaster occurred at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant in Ukraine. (Wikipedia) There was an explosion and fire released a large amount of radioactive contamination into the atmosphere. (Wikipedia) Studies show that this was the worst nuclear power plant accident in history. There was a total of thirty-one deaths reported. This was a test that had gone bad. The battle to take control of the contamination took over 500,000 workers and cost 18 billion dollars. (Wikipedia) The operators were to blame after there was an investigation. Because of the explosion there will be a lot of health problems that will occur according to the studies of The Union of Concerned Scientist. The Fukushima Daiichi Disaster was a series of nuclear meltdowns, equipment failures, and releases of radioactive materials. (Wikipedia) Fukushima Daiichi Disaster was taken place on March 11, 2011. It is now recorded as the largest nuclear disaster since the Chernobyl disaster in 1986. The Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant is one the 25 largest nuclear power stations in the world.(Wikipedia) This because it has six light water, boiling water...
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...What’s more, the influence of the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster would be reduced through proper crisis management procedures. There are three major key risk issues findings about the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster. The first one is risk identification problems in risk management cycle. The second risk issue is failure in avoiding crisis. The last point discusses communication problems in containing crisis. The damages can be reduced and the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster can be avoided if TEPCO management make further research in risk identification process, spend more effort in avoiding crisis rather than only focus on profit generating activities. When the crisis happened properly communicate with government and ensure information transparency help protect the public images of the firm, After in depth research about the case of Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster and compare with Three Mile Island nuclear power plant accidents. This report draws lessons from the cases and provides several recommendations for the Fukushima Daiichi and the Japanese government. , 2. Introduction and Aims There are numerous business risks and the kinds of risk vary from business to business, but construction of a risk management plan will use a common process. After understanding potential risks to business and finding ways to reduce their impacts will help business act properly when facing with emergencies. This report will talk about the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster case...
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...Business Risk Management Fukushima Daiichi – Nuclear Disaster Pedro Eza ID number: z3366523 Executive Summary Fukushima crisis management showed system failures from the public and private actors that led to overall human error and opened a continuous debate within international community about holding nuclear plants under public hands rather than private ones whose incentives clearly differ from the public interest: * The Government and regulatory agencies failed to push Tepco to heed several anomalies and warnings causing the operator to be unprepared at an operational risk level evidencing an embarrassing incompetency to make decisions. * Tepco, as this report will prove below, lacked a culture of safety failing to respond effectively to subsequent events after the accident. For all these, the need to build an adequate resilience framework within the nuclear industry covering the main pillars: Crisis Management, Disaster Recovery, Business Continuity and Emergency Management, are paramount within risk management. Case’s Background On March 11, 2011, Japan suffered an earthquake of magnitude 9.0 with an epicenter near...
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...for Mr. Obama is very crucial. (Broad and Sanger A1). He thought that it is too naive to keep developing the advanced nuclear weapons in order to stop the countries like Iran and North Krean. The most powerful man in the world having this kind of opinion is a great step towards the stoppage of production of nuclear weapons. This, however, looks like it’s the most that can be done right now with nuclear weapons. Nuclear testing sites such as Los Alamos National Laboratory fields and the Novaya Zemlya are still largely left deserted. When it comes to cleaning up of ecosystems affected by nuclear waste, it seems like Russia and the United State’s strategy is to just let the nature take over just like the ghost-town aura of Chernobyl and Fukushima. When it comes to the disposal of atomic warheads on the other hand, both Russia and the United States are proactive at reusing them as fuel to their respective nuclear reactors. This has become known as the Megatons to Megawatts program....
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...Given past events, nuclear power technology is seen by many people as the means to make war, death, bombs, and destruction. These are comparitive rarities to the good that nuclear energy poses for our future, and its capacity for clean efficient energy generation. Almost all of the energy produced today from nuclear is in the form of electricity, comprising 16% of global production. The number doesn't seem to be that large, but when taking into account the energy used on the entire planet, and the capacity to better the nuclear industry for the future we find ourselves wondering how vital it really is to our livelyhood. One could say that the development of nuclear is vital because of global warming threats. Since our combustion of fossil fuels produces carbon in the atmosphere, resulting in rising heat over time. Nuclear provides a form of noncombusting renewable energy that if prudently researched and implemented provides an alternative to polluting engines of the past. This warming fear is a large reason nuclear power is a growing idea. The technology is not simple to do, the production is a very meticulous process, wielding great power for good and great danger. The process requires strong regulation. With such a high risk, high reward scenario, we as humanity's hope for a better tomorrow must weigh the pros and cons to find if we are able to prudently expand and increase research towards safety and efficiency. Producing nuclear energy is not as simple as taking it from...
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...radiation on residents (e.g. Chernobyl & Fukushima disaster) → threat health and lives of residents 2. Nuclear radiation on workers→ cancer A. Waste disposal 1. Deep Geologic Disposal (difficult to build, 30-60 years) → few constructed storages for nuclear waste 2. Difficult to safely transport (e.g. Goiania) 2. Benefits C. Environmental friendly 1. Less carbon dioxide → mitigate greenhouse effect 2. No polluting gases → mitigate air pollution D. Cost-effective 1. Little nuclear fuel → much energy → effective 2. Lower unit price of nuclear power → economic III. Conclusion Benefits ( environmental friendly & cost-effective) ＞ concerns ( safety & waste disposal) → develop nuclear energy （1157 words） With the rapidly increasing population, human being’s demand for energy has become more urgent. Around the world, the finite fossil fuels are the main sources of energy. 85% of world energy are currently provided by fossil fuels which have the dominate position compared to other energy sources (Foris, 2005, p. 615). The author also states that 90% of carbon dioxide and 80% of polluting gases are generated by fossil fuels, causing dramatic greenhouse effect and air pollution. Thus, it is not wise for governments to continue using fossil fuels as the major energy sources. Countries in the world are attempting to seek various solutions to minimize the effects of energy shortage and climate changes. Some believe...
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