Scientists Track Radioactive Iodine in New Hampshire from Japan Nuclear Reactor Meltdown

http://www.sciencedaily.com/re…

Testing in New Hampshire’s Mink Brook watershed during March through May 2011 resulted in calculating radioactive iodine deposition in the soil at a total amount around 6,000 atoms per square meter. Dartmouth research associate Joshua Landis commented that “at these levels, it is unlikely that this is going to cause measurable health consequences.”  The amount in stream sediments was double the amount in soil but should be reduced by river and stream dilution.

This radioactive waste from Fukushima consists of iodine-131, “highly radioactive, acutely toxic” with a half-life of about 8 days, and iodine-29, less radioactive but with a half-life of 15.7 million years.  “Due to its long half-life and continued release from ongoing nuclear energy production, [iodine-129] is perpetually accumulating in the environment and poses a growing radiological risk,” the authors of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences report point out.  A nuclear reactor produces 3 parts iodine-131 to one part iodine-129.  “Once the iodine-131 decays, you lose your ability to track the migration of either isotope.”

hat tip clamshellalliance.org

http://www.kickstarter.com/pro…

RDTN.org: Radiation Detection Hardware Network in Japan

RDTN.org is a website whose purpose is to provide an aggregate feed of nuclear radiation data from governmental, non-governmental and citizen-scientist sources. That data will be made available to everyone, including scientists and nuclear experts who can provide context for lay people. In the weeks following launch, it has become evident that there is a need for additional radiation reporting from the ground in Japan. This Kickstarter project will help us purchase up to 600 Geiger Counter devices that will be deployed to Japan. (The project minimum will fund 100 devices).

hat tip boingbong

They’ve raised $13,104 of their $33,000 goal from 128 backers and have 14 days left to fund their project.

Nearly 35 years ago, the Clamshell Alliance organized to oppose the Seabrook NH nuclear power plant.  In the wake of Fukushima, these old(er) campaigners are ready to start campaigning again.

Clamshell Alliance:

A Call To Action From Fukushima

Ø Fukushima: Chernobyl in the Pacific Ocean 25 years later.

Ø Nuclear corporation Entergy is poised to violate the will of the people of Vermont and operate the Vermont Yankee reactor (same make, model and age as Fukushima) past the 3/2012 contractual closure date.

Ø Federal NRC granted the VY reactor a 20-year extension just days after the meltdowns in Japan began.

Ø We must begin now to prepare for mass nonviolent action.

A friend sent this to me.  I do not know if it is genuine, actually from the Ise Shrine and oracle, but the sentiments are real and, as with chicken soup, it couldn’t hurt.

A Japanese Monk Sent this Prayer Request

The damage of the earthquake in Japan is devastating. Unable to cool down the reactor, we are facing a possibility of nuclear plant explosion [hydrogen explosions, not nuclear like a bomb]. Please join our prayer. Feel free to forward this prayer request to anyone. It would be great if more people can pray.

Here is a translation of a message/oracle from the Ise Shrine in Japan:

After sunset we need strong power of prayer.

Please let me deliver the message to as many as possible.

We can stop this earthquake with our prayers, but right now the nuclear

plant is in danger.

Please heal the suffering, sadness, anger, worry about nuclear plants.

Please do not think that this accident will bring justice.

Please care for each other.

The energy toward conflict and fight is also fueling the things happening right now.

Please stop the conflict and stop the fight and change the worrying voice to the power of prayer.

Please pray that as many people as possible can be saved.

We will be O.K.

If our hearts start connecting with each other the earth will be healed.

There are the sounds/vibrations that can release the karma of earth.

Anyone who can make a prayer sound, anyone who can do reiki,

anyone who can do long distance healing,

please direct your energy to the center of Japan .

The exact location is above the Hachiro gata, Akita Prefecture .

If you can sing, please sing.

Humming is fine too.

Let the earth listen to the sound.

Please send gratitude to the earth.

If mother earth wakes up, everything will stop.

The word Song/Sing writes in Japanese Kanji – small possibilities

support a big lack.

Please send your prayer to the Earth to wake up the Spirit.

I will be in meditation after the sunset.

I will pray for the light shining in the sky even in the darkness.

May everyone be safe.

Thank you for supporting my heart at this very difficult time.

Gratitude for our life.

Fuma

Today was the last seminar in a series on clean energy and the media at Harvard’s Kennedy School.  The subject, scheduled months ago, was “The Seesaw Coverage of Nuclear Power” with Matt Wald, NYTimes, Ned Potter, ABC News, and Matt Bunn, Harvard.

My rough notes follow.