Nuclear fallout in Japan and the technical and political implications for the U.S.
David McNew/Getty Images
Steam rises between reactors 2 and 3 at the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station near San Clemente, CA.
Jeff Haynes
The Exelon Byron Nuclear Generating Stations running at full capacity in Byron, Illinois,
First reports of an explosion this morning at Unit 3 of the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant indicate it may be even more destructive than Saturday's explosion at another unit in the same facility. At this time, officials insist the structure that contains the reactor remains intact. However, there is growing concern about the status of irradiated fuel pools at all of the Fukushima reactors since the tops of two of the buildings have been blown off. It is being reported that Potassium Iodine is being distributed to the public which means there is a very real threat of thyroid cancer. What will this mean for the safety of U.S.-based nuclear reactors following a natural or other kind of disaster? Will Japan’s vulnerability change U.S. protocol at all? Will this fuel the arguments in the debate about the future of nuclear energy?
Michael Mariotte, Executive Director, Nuclear Information and Resource Service
Guests:
Paul Carroll, Program Director, Ploughshares FundMichael Mariotte, Executive Director, Nuclear Information and Resource Service
