Hello again. Here is the second, somewhat less optimistic article that describes a variety of possible scenarios. Contrasts this with the Reuters report below, which suggests that the risk is now going down because pumping seawater into the damaged cores is working to bring the temperature down. Both this and the one below were published March 15. –efc
By Brian Vastag
The Washington Post
The detection of the highly radioactive elements cesium-137 and iodine-131 outside the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant heralds the beginning of an ecological and human tragedy. The open question is whether it will be limited, serious or catastrophic.
The two radioactive isotopes can mean only one thing: Two or more of the reactor cores are badly damaged and at least partially melted down.
In the best case, operators will pump enough seawater and other coolants into the stricken reactor cores to squelch overheating. Such a success would prevent further releases of radiation beyond the unknown amount spewed into the air by controlled venting and the explosion of reactor containment buildings Saturday and Monday.
In such a hoped-for scenario, the only casualties would probably be the handful of plant workers reported Sunday to be suffering from acute radiation sickness. But there’s also the immense anxiety triggered by the incident and the toll of the subsequent evacuation on nearby residents.