Nuclear Physicists “Fukushima Nuclear Reactor Truth: Locally Chernobyl”

  Posted by Alexander Higgins - March 24, 2011 at 11:47 pm - Permalink - Source via Alexander Higgins Blog

As with the BP Gulf Oil Spill independent scientists are finally stepping forward with research and analysis refuting  government propaganda downplaying and minimizing the true scope of the disaster. For example in my last post I wrote about an article on New Scientist,  Japan Radioactive Fallout Hits 73% of Chernobyl levels.

Sascha Vongeh is a respected, published  and peer reviewed scientist who also writes for the scientific website to Science 2.0. In case the name or his credentials here is his bio.

About Sascha Sascha Vongehr

Sascha Vongehr (Alpha Meme) got his PhD (USC, 2005) on Helium-cluster experiments and on statistics of nontrivial cluster size distributions but started out in Europe in 1971 (Germany 22y, GB 3y) and diffused westwards through America (US 11y) and further west until he landed in the very east in Asia (China 4y).

He started studying philosophy/maths/chemistry/physics in Germany, obtained his BSc in theoretical physics (electro magnetism) and MSc in string theory at the University of Sussex (UK).

He worked subsequently on quantum gravity (black holes/two time theory) at the University of Southern California (USC), but left the string community to explore nanotechnology and the brain.

Since his PhD, he collects postdoctoral positions: 1st on the neuroscience of the visual system (USC, psychology), 2nd on nanotechnology at the University of Nanjing (NJU) in China (Physics Dept), and a 3rd one on the philosophy of science (NJU, Philosophy Dept).

Present Official Affiliations:

Department of Philosophy, NJU

National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructures, NJU

Currently Active Research:

Nanotechnology (theory), Cosmology, Emergent Gravity, Basis of Quantum Mechanics, Philosophy of Mind,  Substantialism/Relational Reductions, Suicidal Philosophy

Publications:

Some of his Papers 

His first book “China’s Potential” is still looking for publishers.

Some more Papers

Sascha Vongehr just wrote an interesting article on the Japan nuclear reactor incident.

Fukushima Nuclear Reactor Truth: Locally Chernobyl

For decades we have been told that with the lessons learned from the 1986 Chernobyl disaster, nuclear energy is safe. As the still unfolding mayhem at the Dai-Ichi plant in Fukushima, Japan, proves, nothing could be further from the truth.

The fuel rods in at least three reactors are partly molten. All six reactors are in trouble, although most were not on-line during the earthquake! In spite of all downplaying by officials, the nuclear industry, and science apologists, a complete meltdown of some reactors and a nuclear chain reaction of molten fuel are still possible. A few science bloggers keep up honest reporting about the current state. I will here provide a deeper overview and in a second part tomorrow additionally try to give a rational long term outlook.

Before the Present Fukushima Disaster

2007, after an earthquake at another plant belonging to the same TEPCO power company, radioactivity was leaked. The leak was kept secret, the public only informed days after, too late for any simple precautions like staying indoors.

The Fukushima plant is 40 years old and was supposed to be dismantled, but is kept alive just like many frail reactors all over the world. Already during an earthquake in 2008 did water leak out of a fuel rod storage facility at the Fukushima plant.

Reactor schematics of the boiling water reactors in Fukushima

This history is important, because it clearly shows that the nuclear science is not the problem. One cannot honestly discuss the so called “irrational panic” of the public without discussing the fact that safety records have been falsified and problems downplayed routinely. The public’s distrust and fears are mostly rational and justified.

Read the rest.

Buried in his piece Sascha explains that many corporate media pieces and government propagandists are really relying on the opinions of p people who aren’t even really experts. Sadly since they have degrees from well respected schools they are regarded as experts in a particular field even though they really are not.

And indeed: Hydrogen has collected under the roof of block 3. At 11 in the morning, the second explosion propels the roof from block 3. Although it is likely that the containment vessel with the Plutonium has cracks, the public hears nothing but downplaying of the danger. Internationally, popular science websites link to and translate an article titled “Why I am not worried about Japan’s Nuclear Reactors”.

It is written by a cooperation risk management researcher with cozy industry ties, but referred to as an MIT expert, as if to say nuclear scientist. While the internet is widely hailed as somehow allowing new oversight over the corporate media, a dark chapter in science on the internet unfolds, still not admitted to be another tragedy all by itself by science bloggers.

Only few counter pieces like “Why You Should Be Worried About Japan’s Nuclear Reactors”, have appeared.

He closes his article pointing out how government officials and experts have been wrong from the start.

Finally he closes with a very stern warning to the public not to trust the government.

Very few told you since day one: Potassium iodide belongs into your disaster preparedness kit!

Do not hope that in the heat of a large disaster, your government will be able or even willing to get them to you!

Their main concern is avoiding panic and the appearance of not being in control, not the health of your family.

If you are anywhere near nuclear facilities, which you are in any industrialized country, you should have potassium iodide in your first aid kit at home! You do not? Get it now!

Here’s another interesting piece by Sascha.

Why You Should Be Worried About Japan’s Nuclear Reactors

For days now, scientists and science blogs tell us not to worry about Japan’s nuclear reactors. Nothing can happen; no radiation will be released, all is fine. We are treated to false experts even, to one-sided rants of somebody who studied risk management in corporations, published originally on a business friendly website.

That piece of fluff was reposted all over the net, but the crucial claim — that there was no chance radiation would be released — has been conveniently cut. The forgetful masses with their short attention spans are given ever new versions, from “all under control” over “no radiation will be released” and “no significant levels will be released” to “what was released poses no danger at all” and “the danger it poses can be averted by breathing through wet towels”.

Only one aspect is for sure: Whatever level of mess will be reached, there will be scientists afterward explaining to us that that level was actually totally expected and by the way the maximum level possible and moreover no more dangerous than flying long distance a certain number of times. Finally: If you want to avoid cancer then just stop smoking. You do not smoke? Well you cannot blame the nuclear industry for that!

Right here on Science2.0, we had a contributor basically arguing that the Chernobyl incident 1986 is due to the Russians being stupid. Nuclear power is safe and reactors do only blow up every five million years, and whenever one blows up every so often, it does not count, because it was just the stupid people from [enter wherever it blew up here].

Few science blogs had the guts to an independent opinion, e.g. Greg Laden, and Catdynamics. I for one actually am an expert (certainly much more so than mister MIT business guy!) and I have my potassium iodide pills ready since day one (!) – so should you by the way!

…

Scientists repeatedly underestimate risks (callously disregarding a history of strong earthquakes for example), cover up radiation leaks, even forge documents, as has been proven just recently again in the case of Gorleben, a proposed German site to store “spent” nuclear fuel rods. Scientists are not the better people you can trust, and those you can trust, are weeded out!

Read the rest.

In case you think Sascha is alone in his analysis you should read the two articles and be sure to follow the links to read what other INDEPENDENT scientists (NOT BOUGHT WITH GOVERNMENT/CORPORATE DOLLARS) are saying.

http://chaoticfate.blogspot.com