An earthquake measuring 9.0 on the moment magnitude scale, coupled with a 30-foot tsunami, on March 11 caused drastic damage to six nuclear reactors on the coast of Fukushima Japan, resulting in widespread nuclear contamination and the possible threat of nuclear explosion.
Following the initial hit on day one, both the regular and backup cooling systems of the six nuclear reactors were destroyed.
The temperature within the units built up to an estimate of over 400 degrees Celsius, 100 degrees above its maximum limit. Residents within a three kilometer radius were immediately evacuated.
On the next day, built-up pressure caused the roof of the Unit 1 reactor to blow off, injuring four workers. Seawater and boric acid were injected into all reactors in attempt to bring down the temperature, preventing any large scale explosions. The roof and walls of the Unit 3 reactor blew off a few days later, injuring 11 workers.
Electricity was restored on March 21. However, white and grey smoke was seen rising from reactors 3, 2 and 4.
Workers were temporarily evacuated after each observance, but eventually returned to their worksites. The cause of the smoke remains unknown as of March 28.
Japanese authorities estimate that it will take months to effectively control Fukushima’s overheating reactors, and until then, radioactive material will continue to leak into the environment.
The source of the leaks is unknown, but it is hypothesized that the high temperatures within the reactors may have melted the graphite stoppers.
The two radioactive materials found were iodine 131 and cesium 137. Iodine has a half-life of eight days, meaning that half of the material would decompose and become harmless in eight days, while celsium has a half-life of 30 years, rendering it as a particularly troublesome long-term hazard.
High doses of radiation cause acute radiation syndrome, or radiation poisoning. Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, infection and bleeding. Larger doses can lead to neurological problems and rapid death. Chronic low-dose exposure increases the probability of genetic damage and cancer.
Radiation levels of local residents, produce and water were measured. Contamination levels are over 100,000 times the normal at the reactors and 1,850 times the normal in the nearby sea as of March 27.
With each day, more workers trying to repair the damaged reactors were sent to the hospital with major radiation burns and other acute health effects.
Nonetheless, the government maintains that current radiation levels pose no immediate health risks to local residents. On March 23, infants in Tokyo were warned against consuming city tap water, which contained radioactive iodine that exceeded legal limits for babies.
Furthermore, radiation contamination levels in various foods, especially spinach and milk, are found to be much above tolerable levels, with spinach as high as 3,500 Becquerels per kilogram of iodine 131 on March 24 (the legal limit is 2,000 Becquerels).
The Japanese economy suffers as local produce was rejected from former buyers due to high contamination levels. The United States blocked the import of milk, fresh fruits and vegetables from the most affected areas. Shoppers in Hong Kong, Singapore, Sydney and other countries are also shunning Japanese food products in local supermarkets.
Numerous nations, including the United States and Britain, chartered flights for nationals fleeing Japan. Commercial airline tickets became increasingly scarce. Many companies resorted to private planes to evacuate its staff.
Japanese residents have been panic buying since the initial onset of the disaster. Batteries and candles have become impossible to find. Salt is another commodity in great demand, as it is thought to lower radiation damage.
Some argue that the nuclear crisis in Japan is causing more psychological damage than physical health threats. Increasing numbers of patients with suicidal thoughts, anxiety disorders and post-traumatic stress disorder are being seen in Japan.
Whether the nuclear crisis will cause greater physiological damage or psychological trauma remains uncertain.
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