Ultimate impact of damage to Japan nuclear reactors still unknown (WaPo)

[jpak]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/03/13/AR2011031303925.html

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: One or more of the reactor cores is 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 a reactor containment building Saturday.

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"There is a worst case, and then the question is, 'Is there a worst case beyond the worst case?' " said Gilbert Brown, a nuclear engineer at the University of Massachusetts at Lowell.

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